Russia’s Hybrid Power Strategy

Many Western states subscribe to classic black-and-white soft and hard power interpretations. Russia, however, is employing a strategy of “hybrid” power that blends these two forms. Russia’s strategy enables a target state to employ the coercive effects of hard power that it receives in the form of military aid and economic resources from Russia, and as a result, this creates a soft power attraction for Russian influence and resources that draws in other states.Read more...

Russia’s Failures in Ukraine Should Not Distract from Its Successes in the Sahel

In the short term, Russo-African alignment gives Russia access to critical resources and a means to evade sanctions while propping up corrupt, violent, and undemocratic regimes sympathetic or beholden to Russia’s geopolitical aims. In the long term, continued Russian political influence and economic meddling will envelop the Sahel and other African states into a loose bloc-like structure, opposing the West—in concert with the BRICS economies.Read more...

Putin’s War on Information is Accelerating

In conjunction with the invasion of Ukraine, Putin has intensified his war on information to justify domestic authoritarian actions that would otherwise bring about civil unrest. Putin sees the world's increasing interconnectedness as a threat to Russia. His restrictive information laws and detainment of Western nationals are part of a campaign to secure Russian society against "the outside." These authoritarian controls will continue as long as Putin and his entourage remain in power.Read more...

The Fragmented Union: Why The European Union Needs a Cohesive Defense Network

For years, European leaders have pushed for a European Union bloc strategy regarding defense and global power projection. However, the fragmentation caused by member states' national defense strategies and agendas complicates EU efforts to unite under one defensive banner. The EU must better unite as a defensive bloc to ensure a Ukrainian victory, the security of the EU, and its member states' sovereignty and ideals.Read more...