Russia Monitor Articles
Israel, Iran and Russia’s double game
Another conflict in the Middle East is likely to occur. Israel may decide to attack Hezbollah as the country is afraid of a strong position of Shiite extremists and their Iranian protector in Syria.
ZAPAD-2017 Q&A
The Zapad-2017 military drills fulfill two functions at the same time. On one hand, they constitute a traditional joint Russian-Belarusian exercise within the framework of the regional military group, held alternately in Russia and Belarus every two years.
Zapad-2017. When predictions become reality
The Zapad-2017 military exercise has started in nine proving grounds of Belarus. And, according to some experts (also those of Russia Monitor), it may be noticed that the scope of the drills will be much greater than it has been officially announced.
Zapad-2017. The third myth
Officially, Zapad-2017 war games will involve stopping, isolating and driving out the “extremist groups” that invaded Belarus from the territory of a hypothetical state of Veishnoria. The actual enemy, however, are other two fictitious states: Lubenia and Besbaria.
Zapad-17. Myth Number Two
Russian Defence Minister has rebuked his German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen for falsely claiming that more than 100,000 troops will participate in the upcoming Zapad-2017 military drills. According to Moscow, there will be only 12,700 soldiers.
Zapad-17. The first myth
One of the main theses in the Russian information offensive accompanying the Zapad-2017 exercises is a statement that they do not jeopardise the security and stability of the region, because they are simply defensive.
Zapad-2017: preparations completed
A week before the official start of joint Russian and Belarusian maneuvers, for the first time a top western politician questioned the officially given number of servicemen to participate in Zapad-2017.
Where will Putin strike?
In result of attacking Ukraine and annexing the Crimea, Vladimir Putin halted a decline in popularity and overcame the crisis in his legitimacy as President, lasting since the mass protests in winter 2011/2012.
Italians with Gazprom again
Saipem is to take part in the construction of Nord Stream 2. The Italian company has announced that it has been awarded a contract to build the last section of the pipeline connecting Russia and Germany under the Baltic Sea.
Who’s Afraid of Zapad 2017
It is not Poland, neither the Baltic states nor Belarus. However, the Zapad 2017 military exercise can be a threat to Ukraine.
Sechin’s apogee
Russia’s Igor Sechin has been recently been at the top and thus he may become the target of numerous enemies he had made.
Moscow afraid of American LNG
Now it is possible that huge amounts of American liquefied shale gas will be exported to the markets that have been so far dominated by Gazprom. That is why Russia is trying to save its current position.
Unclear maneuvers
The Zapad 2017 joint military exercise of Russia and Belarus may play a key role in Moscow’s preparations for a possible war with NATO.
Moscow enters the Libyan game
Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar’s recent visit to Moscow has confirmed that Russian participation in the Libyan conflict is still growing. The general met the foreign and defense ministers. According to Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country supports efforts undertaken by Haftar and the UN-backed Libya’s Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj whose aim is to introduce a peace treaty.
Warsaw Institute
