Security & Defense

Russia seeks to legitimize occupation of Ukraine with sham elections

By Mercedes Sapuppo, Olivia Yanchik

In early September, Russia staged sham parliamentary elections in occupied regions of southern and eastern Ukraine as Moscow attempted to legitimize its earlier illegal annexation of five Ukrainian provinces.

US expected to decide soon on long-range missiles for Ukraine

By Benton Coblentz

ATACMS missiles would greatly increase Ukraine’s ability to strike the logistical networks supporting Russia's invasion and would make it increasingly difficult for Putin’s army to operate inside Ukraine, writes Benton Coblentz.

The draft ended fifty years ago. Can the all-volunteer force survive another fifty?

By James L. Jones, Jr., Arnold Punaro

Retired Marine Corps Generals James L. Jones and Arnold Punaro argue that in its current form the United States' all-volunteer force is on an unsustainable path.

Five ways the West might increase pressure on the Russian economy

By Brian O’Toole, Daniel Fried

The crumbling Russian macroeconomy may entice Western policymakers to knock Russian President Vladimir Putin and his power centers further off balance. 

State of the Order: Assessing August 2023

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.