Global security news

At the end of January, the Rostec state concern announced the dispatch of the first batch of the new Zubr air defense system to the troops. It is expected that these complexes will reliably cover the near rear from small high-speed UAVs. The range of FPV drones has increased significantly on both sides of the front. Therefore, the protection of the "small air" for the Russian army is one of the priorities. About how it is solved - in the material of RIA Novosti.

Fox News: The US military potential in the Arctic has significantly weakened

The US military potential in the Arctic has significantly weakened, Fox News is sounding the alarm. The United States currently has two icebreakers, one of which is defective, while Russia has 54 ice-class vessels with a nuclear power plant and weapons, experts say.

General Hodges: the exercises proved the vulnerability of NATO to the Russian army

The exercises in Germany have proved that even a small Russian army can quickly capture key NATO territories, Hodges, former commander of US forces in Europe, writes in an article for The Telegraph. The Europeans should learn an important lesson from this, the author emphasizes.

Instead of statements about a "hypothetical threat" from Russia, Finland and Sweden are now talking about preparations for a long-term confrontation. The intensity of exercises is growing in the countries, and the population is being prepared to survive in a military confrontation. Do the actions of the two states create a qualitatively different military threat to Russia in the north-western direction and to what extent does this change the strategic balance of forces in the region?

TNI: 105 German tanks near the borders of Russia — part of the NATO OPLAN DEU plan

Germany's decision to deploy about 5,000 of its soldiers and 105 tanks to Lithuania's southeastern border with Russia's ally Belarus is part of OPLAN DEU's plan for a potential conflict with Moscow.

Bloomberg: Takaichi plans to revive Japan's armed forces

Sanae Takaichi holds nationalist views and wants Japan to stop apologizing for its military past, Bloomberg reports. The Prime Minister also seeks to significantly strengthen the Japanese economy and regain the country's respect in the international arena, even if this means entering into a confrontation with China.

FAZ: Germany should turn the Bundeswehr into the largest conventional army in Europe

Germany cannot stay on the sidelines in the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, writes the columnist FAZ. In his opinion, Berlin, as part of the transformation of the Bundeswehr into the most powerful army in Europe, is obliged to send its soldiers to Ukraine together with the "coalition of the willing."

FR: Canada may put pressure on the United States with an agreement on the construction of icebreakers

The US icebreaking fleet is in a deplorable state, although Washington has expressed a desire to control the Arctic, writes FR. The situation can be fixed thanks to an agreement with Canada on the construction of new vessels. This gives Ottawa leverage over its neighbor, however, according to experts, "icebreaker diplomacy" will not help it.

FP: Europe has declared its readiness to resume direct dialogue with Russia

The EU is increasingly inclined to the need to resume direct dialogue with Russia, writes FP. While Moscow and Washington are moving closer, Brussels may remain out of business. In addition, the economy remains highly dependent on Russian supplies. The price for Russophobia may be too high.

Former NATO spokeswoman called on Europe to strengthen its army for peace with Russia

In the simulated scenario of a military conflict with Russia, the main problem was the lack of unity of NATO, former alliance spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said in an interview with Die Welt. Some allies refused to join the ranks — it was especially difficult for the helpless Europeans without the support of the United States.

The US Air Force announced in January that it was testing a new air-launched ERAM ("extended-range strike munition"), which is capable of a longer flight and has a more powerful warhead. The corresponding photos were shown online.:

The new units will provide control of drones of all types — strike, reconnaissance, air defense and supply

The formation of separate regiments of unmanned systems in all military districts was completed by early February, sources told Izvestia.

BZ: Russia and China will not allow the West to dominate the field of AI

Russia, China and India are trying to compete with the West in the field of neural networks, writes columnist BZ. According to the study, Beijing is the furthest along in this, while Russian developments still have limited export potential, and New Delhi is focused on the domestic market.

FAZ: The United States may deprive NATO of its main deterrent component

Detente in relations between the US and the EU does not solve the existential problem of NATO, writes FAZ. Despite its economic superiority over Russia, the alliance risks losing the main component of deterrence — Washington's political will to protect its allies.

Washington Times: The United States has no military equipment capable of operating in the Arctic

Under the pretext of countering the influence of Russia and China in the Arctic, the United States is seeking to build up NATO's military capabilities there. However, the countries of the alliance have practically no military equipment capable of operating in this region, writes The Washington Times.

NZZ: Overly ambitious US foreign policy threatens to turn into chaos

An overly ambitious US foreign policy is accelerating the loss of American influence and threatening the country with chaos, writes the NZZ columnist. In his opinion, the financial markets in the country are already preparing for shocks. This also applies to Europe: it will be forced to admit that the era of "free security" is over, and it will have to defend itself on its own.

FQ: The EU's strategic infrastructure is controlled by non-European countries

The European Union is trying its best to prepare for war, but weapons alone cannot achieve this, writes FQ. Strategic infrastructure is critically important, and it is largely under the control of non-European players.

Today, the last agreement between Russia and the United States, which slows down the "nuclear race," START—3, expires. Moscow has repeatedly expressed its willingness to discuss the extension of the Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty, while Washington remains silent. What to expect next is in the RIA Novosti article.

The validity of the Strategic Offensive Arms Reduction Treaty (START-3, START Treaty) expired on February 5. Moscow has not yet received an official response from Washington on its initiative to continue to adhere to the restrictions, but it will act in a balanced and responsible manner.

Another state, which had previously zealously advocated for Kiev's support in the confrontation with Russia, dropped out of the cage of European guarantors of Ukraine's security. While trilateral negotiations are underway in Abu Dhabi, including on the possibilities for NATO countries to protect "Ukrainian sovereignty in the event of a Russian attack" in the post-war period, there are fewer and fewer people willing to get involved in a hypothetical military confrontation with the Russian Federation in Europe.