Research Team - Washington Institute For Defence & Security

23 May 22

Biden warns the US is prepared to use force to safeguard Taiwan, sparking a retaliatory response from China.

President Joe Biden of the United States warned on Monday that he would be prepared to use force to defend Taiwan, evoking praise from the democratic, self-ruled island but fierce rebuke from China. When asked if the US would protect Taiwan if it was invaded during a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio […]

22 May 22

The Pentagon is making progress on cybersecurity despite hurdles.

According to a congressional watchdog study, the Department of Defense is making substantial progress in securing key networks in the face of cyber assaults from foreign enemies seeking intel. According to the Government Accountability Office, the department had 70 percent or higher compliance in implementing four select safeguards for controlled unclassified information as of January, […]

22 May 22

More countries are anticipated to join the Pentagon’s Ukraine help group.

When it meets for the second time on Monday, a group of international defense chiefs created by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to coordinate military help for Ukraine is expected to grow. The Ukraine Contact Group, which had 40 member nations at its maiden meeting on April 26 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, has […]

20 May 22

Top US and Russian generals speak for the first time since Ukraine’s invasion

General Mark Milley, the highest US military official, spoke by phone with Russia’s Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov on Thursday, the Pentagon said, the first communication between the two since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February. “The military officials addressed various security-related matters of concern and decided to keep the lines of communication open,” […]

19 May 22

Russia says that it is employing advanced laser weaponry against Ukraine.

Russia is allegedly using its invasion of Ukraine to test new warfare technology. According to Reuters, the Russian government is employing a new generation of laser weaponry to fight Western technology that is assisting Ukraine’s self-defense. Russia, according to Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov, is testing prototypes for a drone-destroying laser weapon called Zadira, which […]

18 May 22

The United States accuses casino magnate Wynn of working as a Chinese agent

The US Justice Department sued Steve Wynn, the former CEO of Wynn Resorts, on Tuesday to compel him to register as a Chinese agent and accused him of influencing then-President Donald Trump on behalf of Beijing in 2017. Wynn’s attorneys refuted the charges, claiming that he had never served as a Chinese government agent and […]

17 May 22

A satellite image depicts a probable new Chinese nuclear submarine capable of launching cruise missiles

A submarine observed in a satellite shot at a Chinese shipyard appears to be a new class or subtype of nuclear-powered assault submarine with a new stealthy propulsion system and cruise missile launch tubes. Planet Labs provided Defense News with a satellite image of the shipyard in Huludao in Liaoning province, northern China, taken on […]

17 May 22

India has called off the Ka-31 helicopter agreement with Russia

Following the uncertainty in military supply caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, India has terminated discussions with Russia to buy ten Kamov Ka-31 airborne early warning helicopters for $520 million. According to an Indian Defense Ministry official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, the Indian government has paused discussions with Rosoboronexport and original equipment […]

15 May 22

Why does the UAE want to be a club med for world kleptocrats?

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the massive flow of Russian riches stashed offshore has gone only one way: away from houses in London, New York, and other once-welcoming cities to avoid the new “iron curtain” of Western sanctions. As Russian billionaires and kleptocrats sought another safe haven, they discovered it most notably in Dubai. Despite […]

07 May 22

Germany and the Netherlands will supply Ukraine with howitzers.

Ukrainian soldiers will begin training on the Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzer in Germany next week, after the Dutch and German governments agreed to send 12 of the heavy weapons to the war. The decision comes after extensive deliberation in Berlin about the extent of Germany’s military assistance to Ukraine. Previously, the administration of Chancellor Olaf Scholz […]