What’s Russia’s Next Move? Seeing Inside Putin’s Head

World leaders have no clue what Russian President Vladimir Putin’s next move is following Moscow’s invasion and annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. Putin has massed more than 20,000 troops on Russia’s border with Ukraine. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu told US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel last week that Moscow had no plans to send the troops…

In Age of Cyber Strikes & Sanctions, Will Only US Ground Forces Deter Putin?

Cyber strikes. Sophisticated sanctions. In an ever-more technologically and economically connected world, the US national security apparatus increasingly talks about and employs these “new” tools of conflict. But will either work against an adversary/irritant who still moves his forces via freight rail? One influential Washington think tank says no.

Ukrainian Army Launches PR Campaign, Taking Donations

The Ukrainian Army needs money for equipment, but the government doesn’t have any, so it’s taking donations. The message below was posted on a Ukrainian Ministry of Defense website where the donations are being solicited: Ukraine is in danger. Army will protect everyone but our soldiers need bulletproof vests, armored vehicles and military equipment. In…

VIDEO: Russia Invades Crimea with Military Freight Trains

Russia’s military progression into Crimea has been heavily dependent on rail lines in the southeastern part of the peninsula. Residents in those areas have captured video of trains loaded with Russian equipment moving west toward Simferopol, the Crimean capital . Russia appears to be sending train loads of tanks, vehicles and other military equipment to Krasnodar Krai, a…

PICTURES: Russian Black Sea Fleet Commander Boards Ukrainian Navy Ship

The Commander-in-chief of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Alexander Vitko on Tuesday boarded a Ukrainian Navy ship moored in Sevastopol Bay, in the Crimean capital. This came hours before Russian soldiers reportedly seized the Grisha V-class corvette Ternopil using stun grenadiers and automatic weapons. AFP photographer Vikto Drachev captured pictures of Vitko pulling up the pier on a small boar…

On Defense Cuts in Ukraine Legislation, It’s Hawk vs. Hawk

Congressional GOP hawks agree on one thing: To them, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade the southern-most part of Ukraine is US President Barack Obama’s fault. They also agree the US should send Putin a message. But a Senate measure intended to do just that is pitting hawk vs. hawk.