Eurasia

Between the fourth quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, the number of Russians classified by the Russian government as poor rose by 8.5 million, according to Russian government statistics, Maksim Blant of Radio Liberty reports (svoboda.org/a/armiya-bednyh-kak-voyna-vliyaet-na-urovenj-zhizni-rossiyan/31895963.html). Russian analysts point to the fact that in the fourth quarter, …

Russia claimed control Sunday over the last Ukrainian stronghold in an eastern province that is key to achieving a major goal of Moscow’s grinding war. The General Staff of Ukraine’s military reported that its forces had withdrawn from Lysychansk in Luhansk province. President Volodymr Zelenskyy acknowledged the withdrawal but said …

Iranian media also examined how the drone threat could lead to a naval conflict with Israel. Hezbollah says the drone attack it launched on Saturday, in which three of its drones were shot down by Israel, accomplished the mission the organization intended. The statement appeared on Al-Mayadeen media, which is …

Gantz warned that Israel is prepared to defend its infrastructure against any threat. The IDF shot down three unmanned aerial vehicles launched by Hezbollah toward Israel’s economic waters over the Mediterranean Sea. One of the three UAVs was shot down by an F-16 and two others were downed by the …

Iranian media falsely claim a fire in an IDF base near Jerusalem • Exiled Iranian opposition group claims responsibility for two blasts in Tehran Iranian media falsely claimed that a fire had broken out in an Israeli military base on Saturday, just hours after two explosions were heard at the …

Iran could be slightly increasing its naval threats to the region by building a new missile boat. The new vessel, which appears to be under construction, was detailed in an article by H.I. Sutton at USNI News. Sutton also writes at the website Covert Shores where he is an expert …

Hezbollah, Hamas and other Iranian-backed groups have increased their drone threats over the last years. Israel’s downing of three drones on Saturday illustrates the growing nexus of Iran-Hezbollah threats in the region – and specifically the Lebanese terrorist organization’s escalating attempts to target gas platforms off the coast of Israel. …

While still attempting to provide Soviet arms, the Biden administration hopes Ukraine will use more Western equipment in the long run. The US and Western allies have been supplying Ukraine with Soviet-era military weapons for months now, but that too is beginning to run out, according to a senior US …

“Hezbollah continues to terrorize and undermines Lebanon’s ability to reach a maritime agreement. Israel will continue to defend itself.” Israel will defend itself and its assets, Prime Minister Yair Lapid warned on Sunday, a day after the Israel Air Force thwarted an attempted attack by Hezbollah on a gas rig …

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad thanked Iran Saturday night for helping to reduce tension between Damascus and Ankara. Turkey has been threatening in recent weeks to invade northern Syria, launch a military operation against Kurdish militias in the area, and establish a 30-kilometer buffer zone along the border by removing …