Threats

Has Ukraine Broken the Russian Military?

With thousands of troops dead, Russia seems desperate for new soldiers—allowing enlistees as old as 50, U.S. defense official says.

Policy

World Leaders Tout Self-Reliance Amid Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

“Freedom is more important than free trade,” the NATO leader said at the conference.

Threats

Finland, Sweden Would Contribute Militarily to NATO on ‘Day One,’ General Says

Alliance applicants would bring expertise in deterring Russia and advanced naval capabilities in the Baltic Sea.

Ideas

The West Should Not Wish Away the Russian Threat Yet Again

The time to institutionalize a muscular and ready front line force posture is now.

Ideas

NATO Must Contest Russian Moves in Its Southern Underbelly

Putin sees the east and south as key to pushing back the Western alliance’s influence.

Ideas

Defense One Radio, Ep. 101: NATO Deputy Secretary-General Mircea Geoana

Defense One's Patrick Tucker discusses innovation in NATO with the alliance's #2 official.

Policy

Biden’s Asia Trip is ‘Proof’ That US Can Focus On Two Fronts At Once, Officials Argue

His first presidential Pacific crossing aims to convince wary leaders that Washington is not losing focus on China.

Ideas

A Swedish Compromise Won’t Solve NATO’s Turkey Problem

As two Nordic nations bid to join, Erdogan’s hostage-taking should force the alliance to reckon with a member that is increasingly a security risk.

Ideas

Could Ukraine Offer a Template for Better US-Gulf Security Relations?

The outpouring of aid to Kyiv shows that a formal defense alliance is inessential to effective wartime assistance.

Policy

Sweden and Finland’s NATO Membership Coming ‘As Soon as Possible,’ Deputy Secretary General Says

NATO leaders also are expected to bolster the alliance’s eastern flank with new plans at next month’s Madrid summit.

Ideas

Stop Making a Big Deal of NATO’s Next Members

Moscow wants to pretend that admitting Sweden and Finland would represent a far larger military change than it actually is.

Ideas

The Middle East’s Indifference to Ukraine Is a Warning

What looks like international solidarity against a lawless invasion is something far more transactional and fragile.

Ideas

Does the West Want Ukraine to Win or Not?

The relative trickle of advanced weapons to Kyiv suggests Western leaders would be fine with a stalemate.