Regions - Washington Institute For Defence & Security

30 May 22

Poland after 500 American rocket launchers to beef up its military.

In the midst of Russia’s invasion of its neighbor Ukraine, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Bazczak revealed that he has signed a letter of request to purchase 500 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, from the United States. “We are strengthening our rocket and artillery forces,” Baszczak stated in a tweet issued by his […]

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

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 […]

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

Bleeding Outward: The Threat of Extremist Spillover from Afghanistan to Central Asia

Following a chaotic US withdrawal in August of 2021, Afghanistan has been under control of the Taliban, the fundamentalist group which had ruled the country briefly in the 90’s. A security vacuum left by US forces has sparked concerns among neighbors that conflict might not end at the nation’s borders. The fear of extremist spillover […]

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 […]