Russian Invasion of Ukraine (2022)

Russia’s Long History of Obstructing Iranian Progress toward Freedom - Iran Russia
Russia’s Long History of Obstructing Iranian Progress toward Freedom

A look at the history of Iran-Russia relations demonstrates the same pattern of Russian regimes exploiting Iranian resources. Most evidently, tsarist Russia obstructed the Iranian Constitutional Revolution of 1906–07, and the Soviet Union attempted to create a satellite state in the Azerbaijan province of Iran.

Presidential Playbook for a Dangerous Phase of Putin’s War - Biden
Presidential Playbook for a Dangerous Phase of Putin’s War

With Vladimir Putin’s planned two-day war to topple Ukraine’s democratically elected government now in its third month and Russian casualties piling into the tens of thousands, concerns abound that Putin might take increasingly drastic steps to alter the disastrous situation he faces on the battlefield. To prevent those grim prospects—or at least contain their effects—President Joe Biden should turn to the playbook his predecessors drafted.

From Attacks on Civilians to Spiritual Injury: Future War Trends from Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
From Attacks on Civilians to Spiritual Injury: Future War Trends from Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

The war in Ukraine is proving to be a tragic proving ground for trends that will almost certainly be replicated in other twenty-first-century warfare. Decentralized decision-making, the targeting of population centers, tactical speed in decision-making, the rise of artificial intelligence, vital intelligence sharing, and the strategic impact of moral and spiritual injury demonstrate the boundaries for future combat.

Critical Juncture for Human Rights: How Ukraine Challenges Modern Western Assumptions - Russia
Critical Juncture for Human Rights: How Ukraine Challenges Modern Western Assumptions

With crimes against humanity now on NATO’s doorstep, Westerners are focusing on human rights with concern and alarm not seen since the Cold War. As we do, we must admit that the West’s post-Cold War precepts and priorities downplayed human dignity and human suffering.

Ukraine as New Martyr Nation

Poland was the suffering martyr nation of the 20th century. Ukraine, with sense of cosmic destiny, is filling that role for the 21st century.

John Kirby’s Statement Reflects the Just War Tradition - Ukraine Russia Putin
John Kirby’s Statement Reflects the Just War Tradition

With a seemingly genuine response, John Kirby reflects well on Americans and illuminates something of the Western way of war, which follows the Just War Tradition.

Will Finland and Sweden Shift out of Neutral?
Will Finland and Sweden Shift out of Neutral?

Long-time neutrals Sweden and Finland appear poised to apply for NATO membership, perhaps as early as this month or during next month’s NATO summit. If these Nordic neighbors do join the alliance, this dramatic change in the European security landscape will be good for them—and for NATO.

A Just War-Cold War Response to Nuclear Blackmail
A Just War-Cold War Response to Nuclear Blackmail

Either we deter Russian aggression, which means that we convince Putin that we will not tolerate his first-strike nuclear threats and be intimidated, or we passively acquiesce to nuclear blackmail and Russian butchery of a nation that was promised its integrity and sovereignty five years after the Cold War ended.

Don’t Blame NATO for Russia Invading Ukraine
Don’t Blame NATO for Russia Invading Ukraine

As Vladimir Putin continues his war of war crimes against Ukraine, there are arguments swirling around—some more serious than others—that this war is, somehow, NATO’s fault. That’s certainly what Putin believes, but the blame-NATO crowd is wrong.