Category: National Security

Ukraine faces long-term mental health challenges among veteran community

Far away from the front lines of the country’s ongoing war with Russia, growing numbers of Ukrainian veterans are facing up to the psychological aftermath of their military service. These mental health challenges include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Given the sheer numbers involved, there are serious concerns over Ukraine’s ability to address

Polymeropoulos on a Cipher Brief podcast about Havana Syndrome

Original Source On May 20, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Marc Polymeropoulos spoke on a Cipher Brief podcast titled “Is Russia Attacking U.S. Government Employees Using High-Energy Weapons?” about Havana Syndrome. Fellow Marc Polymeropoulos Nonresident Senior Fellow Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Afghanistan Europe & Eurasia Forward Defense, housed within the Scowcroft

Vinograd for CBS News about the helicopter crash that killed the Iranian President and Foreign Minister

Original Source On May 20, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Samantha Vinograd spoke on CBS about the helicopter crash that killed Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister and the potential ramifications for global and regional security. Fellow Samantha Vinograd Nonresident Senior Fellow Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Arabic Defense Policy

Ukraine’s new mobilization law leaves demobilization issue unresolved

Ukraine’s new mobilization law will come into force later this month as the country seeks to resolve mounting problems over wartime service in the Ukrainian military. Despite months of political debate and multiple revisions, many observers remain unconvinced by the version of the law that was finally approved by the Ukrainian Parliament and signed by

Vinograd on CBS about President Biden’s comments on university campus protests for Palestine

Original Source On May 2, Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Samantha Vinograd appeared on CBS News commented on the public safety factors in President Biden’s comments about student protests for Palestine on university campuses. Fellow Samantha Vinograd Nonresident Senior Fellow Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Arabic Defense Policy Forward Defense, housed within

Great power competition is back. What does that mean for US special operations forces?

After 9/11, US special operations forces (USSOF) became well known for direct-action missions that captivated the public’s imagination and demonstrated unparalleled tactical success. The highly publicized raids, precision strikes, and elimination of terrorist threats solidified USSOF’s reputation as the tip of the spear in the US military’s arsenal. In recent years, however, the global security

Western weakness in Ukraine could provoke a far bigger war with Russia

Does the West actually want Ukraine to defeat Russia? That is the question many in Kyiv are now asking amid continued signs of Western indecision as the biggest European invasion since World War II approaches its third summer with no end in sight. The mounting sense of frustration among Ukrainians is easy to understand. Encouraged

Putin has repeatedly used terror attacks to tighten his grip on Russia

The March 22 terror attack on a Moscow concert hall was the deadliest in Russia for almost two decades. While the official investigation into the attack is still underway, it is already becoming increasingly clear that the Kremlin intends to ignore overwhelming evidence of Islamic State responsibility in order to accuse the Ukrainian authorities and

Russian victory in Ukraine would leave Europe at Putin’s mercy

If Putin wins in Ukraine, will he go further? This is the question currently being asked with increasing urgency in capital cities throughout Europe. Skeptics note that the failures of the past two years have exposed the limitations of the Russian military, and claim a triumphant Putin would be in no position to expand the