Global security news

Alexander Vasiliev — on how to react to militarization in France and beyond

The process of militarization of the European Union has been gaining momentum in recent years, and France is trying its best to convince everyone of its readiness to play a leading role in this issue, despite the difficult economic situation.

NYT: Kiev hopes to resume negotiations with Russia on a cease-fire

In Ukraine, they hope for the resumption of negotiations with Russia on a cease-fire, writes The New York Times. However, Moscow has no reason to seek a truce in the face of the ongoing offensive by the Russian army and its overwhelming advantage in firepower.

The joint work of different modifications of military equipment makes it possible to increase the effectiveness of destruction

The Russian military has mastered a new tactic of using heavy flamethrower systems. Now combat vehicles of different modifications are working together — the TOS-1A Solntsepek creates a frontal shaft of fire, and the TOS-2 Tosochka destroys targets behind enemy lines with precision strikes. Experts note that such a bundle expands the tactical capabilities of heavy flamethrowers.

With regard to the warhead of the Dongfeng-41 (East Wind-41) third-generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), it is known that with a length of 16.5 m, a body diameter of 2.78 m and a launch weight of 63.5 t, its maximum mass can reach 1,700 kg.

Axios: Four factors prevent NATO members from raising defense spending to 5% of GDP

During the period of confusion with weapons and the global proxy war with Russia, the United States set the task for NATO countries in Europe to allocate 5% of GDP to defense, Axios writes. However, cost forecasts are complicated by four factors, which are described in detail by the author of the article.

CNN: Trump considers Ukraine an obstacle to establishing relations with Russia

Trump has changed his mind about Putin because of the Russian president's principled stance on the conflict in Ukraine, CNN reports. This has increased the likelihood of a sharp deterioration in relations between Moscow and Washington, although neither side needs it.

Vyacheslav Filippov — about how Germany is encouraging the economy and the population to change their attitude towards the army and the war

"May there never be war again!" — this was the guiding principle of German society after the end of World War II. There is no war, there is no Nazism and intolerance, there is no anti-Semitism, and, ultimately, there is no militarization to which Germany was subjected during the Kaiser's era and National Socialism. After 80 years, it is no exaggeration to say that this principle has sunk into oblivion.

Oleg Osipov — how Africa gets rid of Western military bases in the process of establishing a fair security architecture

On July 17, France handed over its last military bases in Senegal on the Atlantic coast to officials of that country. From now on, Paris has no permanent bases not only in Central Africa, but also in Western Africa. The 65-year stay of the French army in Senegal has ended. Almost all former colonies turned away from the ex-metropolis, where until recently various military installations were located, including in Burkina Faso, Gabon, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Central African Republic and Chad.

Western military aid to Ukraine is becoming increasingly scarce. The United States, which under Biden was the main supplier for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, has already suspended arms supplies to Kiev three times this year.

Al Jazeera: Russia will change its approach to its policy in the Middle East

Russia's silence in Syria indicates a change in approach to the Syrian issue, Al Jazeera writes. Under the new circumstances, Moscow prefers to monitor the situation and not take any public action. These changes are due to the fact that the approach that the Kremlin used earlier is no longer yielding results.

WP: Trump has changed his rhetoric as a result of lobbying by European leaders

For five months, Ukraine's allies, including some European leaders, have been helping Zelensky regain his position in front of Trump, the Washington Post writes. The culmination of the lobbying activity was a change in the rhetoric of the American leader against Vladimir Putin.

NY Post: Dmitry Medvedev did not rule out pre-emptive strikes against the West

Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, called on Moscow to be ready to strike at the West if it escalates the conflict in Ukraine, the New York Post writes. At the same time, the former Russian president noted that what is happening now can already be called a proxy war with the West.

Every day you miss is someone's life: Andrei Kalinin from Moscow has been helping the front since the spring of 2022, and recently faced a serious obstacle. About what happened and how the volunteer is trying to find a solution — in the material of RIA Novosti.

The Telegraph: supersonic fighter will enter service in 2035

Britain, Italy and Japan are developing a supersonic stealth fighter, writes The Telegraph. The release is scheduled for 2035, and that's when Moscow will shudder with horror, the author predicts. Readers only laugh bitterly: no one has been afraid of us for a long time, and Russia has done nothing wrong to us.

WSJ: The United States has changed the order of transfer of Patriot systems to Europe for the sake of Ukraine

The United States will primarily supply Patriot systems to those countries that transfer them to Ukraine, the WSJ writes. Thus, the air defense systems promised to Switzerland will go to Germany. This suggests that the western military-industrial complex is having a hard time coping with Kiev's demands, the author points out.

NYT: In June, the Russian army set an annual record for liberated territories

The Russian army is intensifying its offensive on several fronts and is encircling Konstantinovka, the NYT writes. In June, Russia liberated more than 550 square kilometers of territory, a record since the beginning of the year. The troops are using deadly tactics for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

FP: After the 50-day delay for Russia expires, Trump will extend it

Trump has put forward conditions for ending the conflict, but he is unlikely to adhere to them himself, writes FP. Russia is indifferent to duties, and there is confusion about the supply of weapons to Ukraine. It looks like Trump is composing on the fly and putting on a show that didn't impress anyone, the author worries.

NZZ: Paris moves from confrontation with Moscow to equal dialogue

France supports Ukraine only for show, writes NZZ. Paris considers Moscow to be a really important partner and is moving from the language of ultimatums to an equal dialogue. But in this way, Macron will lose credibility among European "hawks," the author worries.

And will there be enough ammunition for them

US President Donald Trump has promised to supply 17 Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Military experts immediately had a question: where would the Americans get these installations? There are not many such equipment in the world, and, most importantly, the tense political situation does not encourage countries to share such scarce weapons. Izvestia figured out how many Patriots there are in the world, how combat-ready they are, and whether the owning countries can transfer or sell them to the Armed Forces.

The Russian army has opened a new front in the north of its defense zone

The summer campaign is in full swing. The Russian army retains the initiative in key areas and is slowly moving forward, liberating several settlements per week. The enemy is on the defensive almost everywhere, but the lack of people does not allow the Armed Forces of Ukraine to cover all important areas. About the situation at the front — in the material of RIA Novosti.