# Russia
Latest news and articles about Russia
Total: 20 articles found
Washington Rewrites the Rules of the Arms Market: Prioritising Spending and Strategic Value
On February 6, 2026, the U.S. replaced its long-standing "first-come, first-served" approach to arms sales with a policy prioritising high defence spenders and partners deemed strategically important. The shift tightens the link between weapons exports and U.S. national interest, reshaping alliance dynamics and the global arms market.
Empty Talks, Immediate Pressure: How a Failed US–Iran Meeting Exposed a Wider Geo‑Strategic Game
A recent round of US–Iran talks ended without agreement, and Washington immediately escalated economic pressure while Tehran moved to shore up ties with China and Russia. Deep divides over negotiation scope, nuclear baselines, and mutual distrust make a quick resolution unlikely and favour a prolonged strategic contest.
Iran’s Bold Signals: Boat-Borne Harassment, Drone Shootdown and a Tactical Pause in Exercises Ahead of Nuclear Talks
A series of confrontations on February 3 — IRGC fast boats attempting to board a US‑flagged tanker and a US shootdown of an Iranian drone near USS Abraham Lincoln — were followed by Iran’s decision to postpone naval exercises with China and Russia. Tehran frames the delay as tactical de‑escalation ahead of nuclear talks while continuing to signal deterrence through asymmetric maritime actions.
Japan’s Remilitarisation Moment: Takaichi’s Drive to Put the Self‑Defense Forces Into the Constitution
With the election days away, Sanae Takaichi’s surge in the polls has elevated constitutional revision and the formal enshrinement of the Self‑Defense Forces into central campaign issues. A parliamentary supermajority would make amendment feasible, with wide implications for domestic politics and regional security, drawing sharp responses from China and Russia.
Flight Tracks, Helicopters and High Stakes: Why a U.S. Special Forces Deployment to Azerbaijan Matters for Tehran
Flight-tracking evidence that a U.S. MC-130J entered Azerbaijani airspace on 29 January has fuelled claims that American special forces could be preparing operations against Tehran. While the presence of a special-operations transport is significant, concrete plans for a decapitation raid remain unproven; nonetheless, the movement complicates regional security, risks pulling Azerbaijan into a confrontation, and heightens the chance of miscalculation between Tehran, Washington, Moscow and Tel Aviv.
China’s Satellites Put U.S. Moves Under a Microscope as Iran Crisis Deepens
A recent Chinese-language article claims commercial Chinese satellites have captured and publicized U.S. military movements amid a U.S.–Iran standoff, intensifying the information war around the crisis. The piece argues that visible U.S. deployments may be more about signaling than sufficient force for a sustained strike, while Iran deepens ties with Russia to deter action and raise the costs of escalation.
Iran’s Live‑Fire Drill at the Strait of Hormuz Raises Stakes for Global Energy and US–China–Russia Calculus
Iran has announced live‑fire naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz on 1–2 February, warning it could impose temporary closures and showcasing new capabilities including large numbers of drones. The move raises the risk of disruptions to global oil supplies and tests the responses of the United States, regional actors and potential backers such as China and Russia.
Russia Delivers Attack Helicopters to Iran — Not Yet Combat-Ready, Sources Say
Russian media report that Iran has received Russian-made attack helicopters but has not yet put them into operational service. While the delivery signals closer Russia–Iran military ties, operational challenges and sanctions mean the immediate threat is limited, though the transfer could have significant medium-term implications for regional balance and sanctions enforcement.