A Forecast International blog about the arms trade, geopolitics, defense and security, and military spending.
In January, the archipelago nation of Nauru severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of formal relations with China, reducing the number of countries recognizing Taipei’s sovereignty to eleven. Nauru’s …
Nauru’s Diplomatic Shift Signals Increasing Chinese Dominance in the Indo-Pacific Read More
The Black Sea nation of Georgia has been gripped in political turmoil over the past month, with protests drawing tens of thousands of people in a country of just 3.7 …
Protests Grow Over Georgian Foreign Agents Law Read More
Having secured a 5th presidential term in March, Russian President Vladimir Putin is now rolling out his new Cabinet. In accordance with Russian law, the old Cabinet resigned on May …
Putin Shakes Up Defense Ministry Leadership Read More
On May 8, 2024, CNN interviewed US President Joseph Biden, who confirmed that a shipment of weapons to Israel had been halted after his administration asserted that certain types of …
Strained US-Israel Ties Could Impact Defense Cooperation Read More
For decades the South China Sea has been the site of simmering disputes over ownership of the many small reefs, shoals and islands that dot the approximately 1.4 million sq-mi …
Philippine-Chinese Tensions Escalate Over Disputed Shoal Read More
Tension flared following a visit by a U.S. delegation to Niger in March, prompting Niger’s military junta to swiftly terminate a pivotal military agreement with the U.S. This decision follows …
Russia Exploits Western Vacuum in Africa’s Sahel Region Read More
While the geopolitical focus of Washington policymakers currently appears firmly directed towards Ukraine and Gaza, the recent meeting between the leaders of Japan and the U.S. reinforced a growing security …
Joint Leader Statement Underlines Tighter U.S.-Japan Embrace Read More
On early Sunday morning, Tehran launched over two hundred drones and missiles toward Israel in response to an Israeli airstrike in Damascus, Syria on April 1, 2024. Below is an …
From Damascus Strike to Drone Barrage: A Timeline of Rising Tensions Between Iran and Israel Read More
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has declared his country’s intention of acquiring the Rafale jet fighter from France’s Dassault Aviation. The announcement – made while Vucic was on a two-day visit …
Serbia’s Potential Rafale Acquisition Signifies More Than Just a Fighter Decision Read More
As tensions boil in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, where Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi militants have hijacked and attacked commercial shipping over the past months, the international community has …
India Steps Up Counter-Piracy Amid Red Sea Tensions Read More