Ukraine’s Third Assault Brigade, deployed in Avdiivka has effectively “Wiped Out Russia’s 74th and 114th motorized rifle brigades”! Russia’s estimated losses are 4,200 troops killed or wounded, according to the report. Being a military man it is nearly difficult to believe this Ukrainian open media report. On the other hand, …

Iran’s so-called axis of resistance is a loose network of proxies, Tehran-backed militant groups, and an allied state actor. The network is a key element of Tehran’s strategy of deterrence against perceived threats from the United States, regional rivals, and primarily Israel. Active in the Palestinian Occupied Territories, Lebanon, Iraq, …

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan had a good run in 2023. Bucking the trend of the past decade, the region did not experience major conflicts, attempts at regime change or largescale violence. The ongoing energy crisis, exacerbated by a dry and hot summer, was perhaps the only blot on …