Category: Europe & Central Asia

Mounting a Defense on the Southern Theater: An Analysis of Russian Propaganda Aimed at US-Mexico Relations

Russia reportedly spent $16 million on propaganda targeting the United States in 2021 to create friction between the United States and its partners in the Western Hemisphere and beyond. For instance, Russia Today en Español published an article characterizing the United States’ foreign policy toward Mexico as being “absen[t] of support” for Mexico’s alternative strategies … Continue reading Mounting a Defense on the Southern Theater: An Analysis of Russian Propaganda Aimed at US-Mexico Relations

Turkey at the Crossroads: Shaping Strategic Balance in an Era of Complex Interdependence

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gives a speech on economic policy amid the rapid depreciation of the Turkish lira. Photo Credit: Anadolu Ajansi Turkey is always at a crossroads. Today so is the world. The consequences of Turkey’s response to current crises leading up to national elections due to occur by June 2023 will determine … Continue reading Turkey at the Crossroads: Shaping Strategic Balance in an Era of Complex Interdependence

Transcending Rhetoric: The Wisdom of European “Strategic Autonomy”

“Now we are opening a new era where we have to put ourselves in a situation to clearly prepare, endorse our European defense. But I want to insist on the fact that we need the strong cooperation of the US.” — French President Emmanuel Macron[i] At the latest G-20 Summit, American President Biden and French … Continue reading Transcending Rhetoric: The Wisdom of European “Strategic Autonomy”

Thunder over the Falklands: Asian Arms in Latin America

Pakistan Air Force JF-17’s armed with air to air and air to ground munitions. Photo Credit: Pakistan Air Force Last month, local Argentine newspapers leaked news that the Argentinian government intended to purchase 12 Pakistan-Chinese manufactured JF-17[i] Block III ‘Thunder’ fighter aircraft and supporting equipment. This is not new. Argentina’s plan to purchase Chinese fighters … Continue reading Thunder over the Falklands: Asian Arms in Latin America

Analyzing Five Alleged IRA Reddit Accounts

Word cloud showing five alleged IRA accounts’ most-discussed topics topics on Reddit. This graph was generated using a frequency analysis of selected comments and submission from Reddit.  This piece was authored by an anonymous SSP student Background The Russian Federation’s alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election has been the subject of much media fanfare, … Continue reading Analyzing Five Alleged IRA Reddit Accounts

NATO: Where It Has Been, and Where It Should Go

US troops, part of a NATO mission to enhance Poland’s defense, before an official welcoming ceremony in Orzysz, Poland, 12 April 2017. Photo Credit: AP With the collapse of the Soviet Union, NATO cheered it had “won” the war with its longtime rival, leaving in its wake uncertainty for an organization that stood with clear … Continue reading NATO: Where It Has Been, and Where It Should Go

European Militaries Join the U.S. in Space

US allies in Europe are following in America’s footsteps and developing their own military space commands. In Dec 2018, the U.S. announced the elevation of U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM). Since then, the four largest countries in Europe announced their own similar institutions: French Space Command, the German Air and Space Operations Centre, the UK Space … Continue reading European Militaries Join the U.S. in Space

Sputnik V is Helping Putin Reach for the Stars

Russian President Vladimir Putin is using “vaccine diplomacy” to improve Russia’s global status. Photo credit: Pixabay The COVID-19 crisis created an opportunity for Russian President Vladimir Putin to expand his sphere of influence.  As countries turned inward, consolidating resources and vaccinating their populations first, Moscow chose to embark on a campaign of “vaccine diplomacy.” This … Continue reading Sputnik V is Helping Putin Reach for the Stars