Indonesian Defence in the Indo-Pacific. How France Became the Main Partner?
Indonesia is accelerating its defence modernisation amid rising Indo‑Pacific tensions, but its spending remains low at about 0.77% of GDP. France has emerged as Jakarta’s principal European partner, signing multi‑billion‑dollar deals for Rafale fighters, Scorpène‑class submarines and a Thales‑LEN joint venture on radar systems. The first Rafales arrived in January 2026, signalling a shift toward high‑tech capability. While Indonesia diversifies suppliers, the Franco‑Indonesian tie underscores both countries’ strategic ambitions.
New Players Are Taking over the Global Arms Industry. China Is Not the only One
The World Defense Show 2026 in Saudi Arabia highlighted the Kingdom’s push to source at least half of its defense budget domestically by 2030, showcasing a new Saudi Supply Chain Zone and a Future Defense Lab for startups. Contracts announced...
France After Four Years of War. Shift or the End of Support?
France has moved from a dual‑sided arms policy to a robust, though now waning, military backstop for Ukraine, supplying ammunition, missiles, CAESAR howitzers, SAMP/T air‑defence and Mirage 2000 fighters since 2022. Operational challenges—limited Ukrainian use of French tanks, pilot shortages, and...
Germany No Longer Trusts Russia?
Germany’s strategic relationship with Russia has unraveled since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Trade collapsed, with imports from Russia falling from €36.4 billion in 2022 to €1.8 billion by 2024, while German aid to Kyiv topped €90 billion. Energy dependence vanished as Russian...
The Kremlin Announces the Continuation of the War
On the fourth anniversary of its invasion, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Russia will continue its "special military operation" in Ukraine. He said Moscow’s objectives remain unmet and that Western support has turned the conflict into a broader confrontation...
The Historical Context of Security in the Black Sea Region
The Black Sea’s strategic chokepoints are governed by the 1936 Montreux Convention, which gives Turkey authority to regulate warship passage during conflict. Historically, Ottoman control, the 1923 Lausanne Treaty, and later the Montreux revisions shaped the region’s naval balance, culminating...
Washington Does Not Want a Militarily Autonomous Europe
The United States has warned European nations that any EU rule changes favoring domestic weapons makers could trigger retaliation, including loss of access to the U.S. defense market. Europe is currently dependent on American arms, importing roughly two‑thirds of its...
Determinants and Evolution of the Russian Concept of Information Warfare
The article maps the evolution of Russia's information warfare doctrine from Imperial-era morale operations through Soviet psychological warfare to today's hybrid strategies. It highlights how Moscow blends propaganda, cyber attacks, and covert forces to shape narratives and destabilise opponents without...
Europe in the Shadow of Hybrid War. What Does Russian Systemic Pressure Look Like?
SAB’s annual report warns that Russia now frames relations with the West as an existential conflict, deploying a systematic hybrid toolkit that blends military, informational, cyber, legal and economic levers. The Kremlin’s distorted threat perception fuels a perception spiral, making...
French Nuclear Sharing. Will Poland Receive Nuclear Weapons?
French President Emmanuel Macron called for expanding Europe’s nuclear umbrella at the Munich Conference, proposing to share France’s deterrent with allied states. He has launched strategic talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other EU leaders to translate French nuclear capability...
Defence at the Final Frontier: Space and U.S.-India Prospects
The $1.5 billion NISAR satellite, a joint NASA‑ISRO venture, showcases the deepening U.S.–India space partnership. India’s Make‑in‑India agenda is accelerating indigenous defense‑related space capabilities, from ISR payloads to resilient communications. Meanwhile, China’s anti‑satellite tests and Pakistan’s growing space ties heighten regional...
Orange Plans to Withdraw From Russia
Orange is weighing a full exit from the Russian market after nearly four years of limited operations following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The telecom giant’s Russian revenue now represents less than 1% of its total earnings, and it continues...
Russia Weakened but Still Dangerous After the Ukraine War
The Ukraine war has exposed Russia’s structural vulnerabilities, including demographic decline, waning energy leverage over Europe, and growing reliance on China. Simultaneously, Moscow has adapted its military doctrine, emphasizing drones, electronic warfare, and attritional tactics, while sanctions have not collapsed...
Russia Wanted the Nuclear Treaty because It Is Facing Difficulties, Expert Says
The New START arms‑control treaty between the United States and Russia expired on 5 February 2026, ending a 15‑year limit on deployed strategic warheads. According to Polish Institute of International Affairs expert Artur Kacprzyk, Russia favours maintaining the caps because expanding its...
East Front News #83: Polish Nuclear, Germany with F-35, and Who Is Leading Europe?
The recent Hedgehog‑2025 NATO exercise exposed how drones can render battalions combat‑ineffective within hours, prompting calls for doctrinal reforms. Germany is weighing an additional F‑35 purchase, reinforcing U.S. dependence and ensuring its role in NATO’s nuclear sharing. Meanwhile, Poland is...
Again Jihadist Attacks in Nigeria
Jihadist militants from the IS‑linked Lakurawa group attacked seven villages in Kebbi State, killing more than 30 civilians despite rapid police, military, and militia response. The assault underscores Nigeria's persistent insurgency, which has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced two...
France to Procure Polish Piorun Missiles – Details Emerge
France announced plans to acquire Polish‑made Piorun man‑portable air‑defence systems through the EU’s SAFE joint procurement programme, using a €16.2 billion loan instrument. Approximately 70 percent of the missiles will equip French armed forces while the remaining share is earmarked for Ukraine’s...
Facing the Elephant of Munich
At the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for Europe to assume greater security responsibility while emphasizing continued transatlantic interdependence. He highlighted cooperation areas such as re‑industrialisation, supply‑chain resilience, and joint technology standards. The forum also...
CIA Discussed Nord Stream Sabotage Plans with Ukraine
In spring 2022 Ukrainian sabotage specialists met CIA officers to discuss a plan to damage the Nord Stream gas pipelines, an idea that originated from Kyiv. Initial American enthusiasm gave way to a warning in summer, as U.S. officials reportedly warned...
Thousands Kenyans Are Fighting on Russia's Side
Kenyan intelligence disclosed that more than 1,000 Kenyan nationals have been recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine, far exceeding the December estimate of 200. Of those, 89 are currently on the front lines, 39 have been hospitalized, and 30...
WhatsApp Is Banned in Russia
On February 12, 2026, the Kremlin announced a full ban on Meta’s WhatsApp, citing the app’s failure to comply with Russian data‑access laws. The ban blocks the service for its more than 100 million Russian users, representing over two‑thirds of the...
Germany Is Considering Purchasing More US F-35 Fighters.
Germany is weighing an order for more than 35 additional U.S.-made F‑35 fighter jets, expanding the 35 aircraft already purchased in 2022. The move would deepen Berlin’s reliance on American technology as the joint Franco‑German Future Combat Air System (FCAS)...
Another Round of Negotiations in the Ukraine-US-Russia Format
On December 17, 2026, a new round of Ukraine‑US‑Russia negotiations opened in Geneva, bringing together senior officials from Kyiv, Washington and Moscow. The talks focus on security, humanitarian concerns and, notably, territorial issues raised by the Kremlin. Ukraine’s delegation, led...
Cyprus–Greece–Israel: Cooperation in the Face of Turkey's Power
The Cyprus‑Greece‑Israel triangle is evolving from ad‑hoc energy cooperation into a multidimensional security bloc, highlighted by a $757.84 million PULS artillery purchase and a €3 billion Achilles Shield air‑defence programme. The 2025 Jerusalem summit produced a joint‑exercise pact and reinforced the informal...
Two Battalions “Destroyed”? The Truth About NATO’s Exercise
The NATO‑led Hedgehog‑2025 exercise in Estonia involved over 16,000 troops from 12 nations and integrated Ukrainian drone operators using the Delta battlefield‑management system. In a simulated scenario, a ten‑person Ukrainian team “destroyed” 17 armored vehicles and rendered two battalions combat‑ineffective...
Ceasefire Would Be only the Beginning. Ukraine’s Energy Problem
A ceasefire would only mark the start of Ukraine’s energy crisis, as the war has left the power grid in ruins. Experts estimate at least three years of scheduled blackouts, with a 6‑hour on/4‑hour off cycle becoming the norm. Damage...
Munich Security Conference. What Was Said About Russia?
The Munich Security Conference highlighted growing diplomatic leverage for Russia, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warning that Moscow may gain more at the negotiating table than on the battlefield. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio expressed uncertainty about Russia’s willingness...
Reintegrating the Western Balkans: EU and NATO Strategy
The EU and NATO are urged to accelerate Western Balkan integration to close a major security gap and curb Russian, Chinese, and Turkish influence. Persistent governance deficits, economic under‑development, and fragmented NATO membership leave the region vulnerable to external manipulation....
Ukraine’s Political and Military Presence in Africa
Ukraine is rapidly expanding its political and military footprint across Africa, building on decades of UN peacekeeping deployments and a post‑Soviet non‑aligned foreign policy. After Russia’s full‑scale invasion, Kyiv announced plans for roughly twenty new embassies and a Ukraine‑Africa summit...
American Admiral: You Don’t Want to Fight Alone
Retired Admiral William H. McRaven warned that the United States risks fighting alone if it undervalues its NATO partners. He cited President Trump’s comment that allies were “holding back” in Afghanistan, noting it sparked outrage among European leaders. McRaven highlighted the...
SAFE: France Didn’t Get the Most, but Sets the Rules
France is set to receive about €16.2 billion in preferential SAFE loans, making it the third‑largest beneficiary after Poland and Romania. Paris is using the instrument to push a European‑preference policy that favours French defence firms and aims to reduce reliance...
Moldova. EU – Yes; CIS – No; Unirea – Not This Time
Moldova announced its formal exit from the Commonwealth of Independent States, signaling a decisive break from a key Russian‑linked institution. At the same time, Chişinău is accelerating its integration with the European Union under President Maia Sandu’s pro‑Western agenda. Public...
Major Overhaul of NATO’s Force Commands
NATO is undergoing a major command reshuffle as the United States transfers leadership of its Joint Force Commands in Naples and Norfolk to European officers—an Italian and a British general, respectively. The U.S. will assume control of Allied Maritime Command...
Behind Putin’s $15 Billion Arms Revenue Claim
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that arms exports generated roughly $15 billion in foreign‑exchange earnings in 2025 and that more than 340 cooperation projects are slated for 2026‑2028. Independent analysts caution that Russia’s defence‑sector data are opaque, making the figure difficult...
Advisor to the Polish General Staff on Cooperation with the USA: We Have a Contingency Plan
Polish Strategic Advisor Lt. Gen. Piotr Błazeusz told TVP World that Poland has both a primary defence plan and contingency “branch” plans in case U.S. support wanes, but he remains confident Washington will not abandon its European allies. He questioned...
Invoking Article 5 for Ukraine Could Weaken NATO
NATO members, led by Finland, warn that invoking Article 5 for Ukraine could erode the clause’s deterrent power. They argue that extending collective defense to a non‑member engaged in an active war would blur the threshold for future attacks, especially hybrid...
Estonia Accelerates Defence Modernisation Amid Growing Security Threats
Estonia unveiled an accelerated defence modernization plan, shifting conscripts to a 12‑month service model with 4,100 recruits starting in 2027 and boosting pay by 30%. The navy will receive four new vessels and upgraded minehunters, while the Baltic Defence Line...
Berlin Ready to Choose GCAP over Franco-German Project SCAF?
Berlin is weighing a switch from the Franco‑German Future Combat Air System (SCAF) to join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a move that would signal a major shift in European defence collaboration. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly raised the...
From Disinformation to Espionage – Russia’s Hybrid Actions Against Poland
Russia has intensified a hybrid campaign against Poland, combining espionage, large‑scale cyber attacks, sabotage, and disinformation. Recent intelligence uncovered Russian spies inside the Ministry of National Defence and daily cyber assaults reaching up to 3,000 incidents. Moscow’s political elites have...
Security Measures Undertaken by International Organizations with Regard to Central and Eastern Europe - Part I
International organizations have deepened security engagement in Central and Eastern Europe through NATO enlargement, EU diplomatic and financial tools, and coordinated sanctions. NATO’s 1999‑2004 accession of nine states bolstered collective defence, while the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy drives...
72 Hours in the Gulf: Inside Chancellor Merz’s Mission to Wean Germany Off US Dependence
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spent three days in Riyadh, Doha and Abu Dhabi to secure Gulf energy, investment and defence deals aimed at reducing Berlin's reliance on the United States and China. After the 2025 loss of Russian pipeline gas, Germany imported...
Germany Wants a “Two-Speed EU” On Defence. What About Poland?
Germany is spearheading a “two‑speed” European Union defence initiative by forming an E6 group of the bloc’s six largest economies – Germany, France, Poland, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. The format aims to bypass consensus‑driven decision‑making to accelerate defence investment,...
EU Reached a Breakthrough on a €90 Billion Loan for Ukraine
European Union member states have reached a breakthrough agreement to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion support package for 2026‑2027, of which roughly €60 billion is allocated to military aid and €30 billion to budget stabilization and reforms. The financing will be sourced...
Spy in the Polish Ministry of Defence
Poland’s Ministry of National Defence detained a middle‑level employee, Władysław P., on February 3 for suspected espionage on behalf of Russian or Belarusian intelligence. The civil servant worked in the Department of Strategy and Defence Planning, which drafts the nation’s core...
Macron: Europe Must Increase Defence Spending
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a defence budget that will exceed 2% of GDP, allocating €413 bn from 2024 to 2030—up from €295 bn in the previous seven‑year period. The 2026 budget reaches €57.2 bn, reflecting annual increases aimed at modernising the armed...
Belarusian Cigarette-Smuggling Balloons in the Polish Airspace. How Should NATO Respond?
Belarusian balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes entered Polish airspace for a third consecutive night, prompting temporary civil‑aviation restrictions in the Podlaskie region. The incursions are viewed as low‑cost, low‑escalation tests of Poland’s air‑defence systems and an attempt to sow friction within...
New American Carrier Undergoing Tests
The USS John F. Kennedy, the second Ford‑class carrier, began its first sea trials in February 2026. Repeated delays caused by elevator, electromagnetic catapult, and arresting‑gear problems pushed delivery from an original 2022 target to mid‑2026 and raised the contract...
Department of State Has Approved Contracts Worth $15 Billion
The U.S. Department of State has cleared more than $15 billion in arms sales to Israel and Saudi Arabia. Israel’s package, valued at roughly $6.7 billion, includes 30 Apache helicopters and 3,250 light tactical vehicles. Saudi Arabia’s deal, about $9 billion, features 730...
Sikorski Rejects EU Federal Army, Proposes “European Legion”
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski rejected calls for a EU federal army, calling the idea unrealistic, and instead floated a “European Legion” – a volunteer brigade‑size formation open to citizens of member and candidate states. He acknowledged the legion would not...
Case of Rocket Debris in Poland Under Scrutiny Once Again
On 19 February 2025 a Falcon 9 booster fragment re‑entered uncontrolled and landed on Polish soil, prompting a police seizure and a prosecutor’s decision to drop criminal charges. The European Space Agency has now issued a €200‑500 k tender to independently reconstruct the breakup,...
