Politics

A cyberattack on infrastructure can plunge a country into a crisis. 
Comment

In age of cyberwar, Japan's pacifist charter could spell defeat

Legal limits leave Tokyo's hands tied against threats to infrastructure

8 July 2021
A U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer sails in formation during the Sea Breeze 2020 multinational maritime exercise, co-hosted by Ukraine and the U.S., in the Black Sea on July 25, 2020. Japan and Australia are participating this year.
Interview

Pentagon official touts NATO-Asia cooperation amid China threat

Europe policy director notes 'common security challenges' with Beijing and Russia

1 July 2021
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, second from left, sparred with top U.S. officials at a March meeting in Alaska.
International relations

China avoids repeat of Alaska clash with US at G-20

Blinken and Wang skip one-on-one while Beijing courts Russia

29 June 2021
The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world.
Climate Change

Unfrozen world: Arctic thaw becomes major source of global risk

From resource conflicts to reanimated microbes, threats emerge at top of the world

28 June 2021
Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing will attend an international security conference while in Moscow.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar junta chief woos Russia with Moscow trip

Min Aung Hlaing seeks stronger partnership to combat global rebuke

22 June 2021
Myanmar's military is assured of Russian support despite the much-maligned coup in February.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar general's visit to Russia keeps arms flowing to junta

Moscow defies West by rolling out welcome mat to leaders of coup

17 June 2021
Eugene Kaspersky, CEO of Kaspersky Lab, said the number of new computer viruses detected has increased over 20% since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
Interview

War on cybercrime demands global campaign: Kaspersky CEO

Russian security expert warns of Chinese-speaking hackers' attacks on Japan

16 June 2021
The BAM railway, also known as the "second Trans-Siberian Railway," is a major route connecting Europe and Asia.
Transportation

Russia uses military to modernize Far East railway

Prison labor also an option to offset lack of foreign workers amid COVID

13 June 2021
Diplomatic isolation has forced Putin into China's arms.
Opinion

Putin's Russia is a trap China should avoid

Strongman leaders get a lot worse after a decade in power

13 June 2021
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg, Russia on June 4.
5 June 2021
Joint Russian-Tajik drills near the Afghanistan border: Moscow has sought to strengthen its 201st military base in Tajikistan, its largest facility in Central Asia.
International relations

Russia fortifies Central Asia military clout before US Afghan exit

Moscow plays up terrorism but experts see possible American bases as motivator

27 May 2021
Stream article image
Indo-Pacific

Killer robots need ethical rules, US and Chinese analysts agree

Prospect of robots run amok raises thorny questions of accountability

27 May 2021
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet in Moscow on Feb. 24: They are due to meet again in Sochi.
International relations

Fresh off gold mine seizure, Kyrgyzstan president heads for Russia

Problems pile up for Japarov as Tajik border dispute simmers after deadly clashes

24 May 2021
Foreign ministers of the eight-member Arctic Council adopted a strategic plan May 20 to promote sustainable development in the region. These nations include the U.S. and Russia, while Japan and China hold observer status. 
International relations

Arctic Council adopts first strategic vision for High North

But economic development expected to spark disputes over maritime routes

21 May 2021
Twenty five F-35A Lightning IIs assemble on the flight line prior to taking off during an exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska on April 7. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force)
International relations

Russia calls for military meeting of Arctic states as tensions rise

Lavrov proposes gathering of general staffs of the eight countries.

21 May 2021
Cooling towers of a Czech nuclear power plant with Soviet-developed reactors. The four reactors under construction in China are being made with Russian technology.
Energy

China breaks ground on Russian-designed nuclear reactors

Xi and Putin tout partnership ahead of G-7 summit as US pressure mounts

20 May 2021
Russian nuclear submarines surfaced through the Arctic ice during drills in late March. (Photo courtesy of Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
International relations

US, Russia and China seek edge as battle for Arctic heats up

Washington and Moscow butt heads over drills as China eyes new Silk Road branch

19 May 2021
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken boards a U.S. government plane as he departs from Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 6. (Photo courtesy of the State Department)
International relations

Blinken heads north for unusually long 5-day Arctic tour

Bilateral meeting with Russia's Lavrov to pave way for Biden-Putin summit

15 May 2021
As the coronavirus exacerbates the so-called twin deficit in the U.S., the dollar may be starting to lose its draw as a reserve currency.
Currencies

US dollar loses shine as reserve currency for emerging economies

Washington's growing deficit drives central banks to euro, yen and gold

8 May 2021
Bangladesh is turning to Chia for the Sinopharm vaccine, left, and to Russia for Sputnik jabs as India deals with its own corona crisis. (Source photos by Reuters and Getty Images)
Coronavirus

India COVID spike pushes Bangladesh to tap Sputnik and Sinopharm

Russia and China step up as New Delhi uses vaccines for its own population

7 May 2021
An artist's rendition of the Landsat satellite: The U.S. military depends heavily on satellites for positioning, navigation and timing. (Photo courtesy of NASA)
International relations

Space junk from 2007 China satellite attack still poses risk

US officials call for 'rules-based order' to reduce odds of collision in orbit

7 May 2021
An S-400 "Triumph" surface-to-air missile system at a military base near Kaliningrad, Russia. Washington has warned India it could face sanctions if it purchases the Russian equipment. 
Indo-Pacific

India and Russia agree on 2-plus-2, in diplomatic balancing act

While deepening ties with Quad, Modi keeps relationship with traditional partner

29 April 2021
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attend a joint news conference in Istanbul on Apr. 10: they reaffirmed their strategic partnership.
Opinion

Erdogan and Putin battle it out for control of the Black Sea

Tussle adds to growing list of places where the veteran strongmen are squaring off

26 April 2021
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a virtual global climate summit via a video link in Moscow on April 22. (Kremlin via Reuters) 
International relations

Biden and Putin eye possible June summit: Kremlin aide

Russian daily reports that US president offered to meet on June 15-16 in Europe

26 April 2021
Chinese troops take part in Russia's Sayan March 2021 in the Siberian mountains in April. (Photo courtesy of Russia's Ministry of Defense)
International relations

Chinese and Russian troops battle subzero chill in Siberia drills

Grueling exercises come as both neighbors face tensions with US

23 April 2021