Putin Orders Russia to Stockpile Protective Equipment for Nuclear Threat

Schoolchildren wearing gas masks and protective suits participate in a civil defence competition between local schools in Russia's southern city of Stavropol, February 2, 2011Eduard Korniyenko/Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his Security Council to assess Russia's readiness to survive a nuclear, chemical or biological disaster and has told them to stockpile protective equipment if necessary.

Germany is about to start up a monster machine that could revolutionize the way we use energy

For more than 60 years, scientists have dreamed of a clean, inexhaustible energy source in the form of nuclear fusion.

And they're still dreaming.

Russia holds war games involving numerous missile launches

MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian military has conducted a series of ballistic and cruise missile launches from sites across the country in the latest demonstration of the nation's resurgent military might.

Zimbabwean university staffer suspended in Mugabe cap mishap

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — For Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, one size does not fit all.

A senior staffer at the University of Zimbabwe has been suspended for allegedly procuring academic caps for Mugabe that were too small for his head, according to court papers filed this week.

In the mid-1980s, the Soviet Union had a computer program that helped it decide when to launch a nuclear war

This week, the National Security Archive at George Washington University published a newly declassified 1990 US intelligence-community study that revealed terrifying details about the 1983 US-Soviet war scare.

New Russian military might on full display in Syria

HEMEIMEEM AIRBASE, Syria (AP) — Sleek combat jets loaded with precision bunker-buster bombs roar into the skies as soldiers in desert-style uniforms march past rows of neat housing at this Russian military base at one of Syria's largest airports.

Arab Israeli paraglides to Syria, possibly to join rebels: army

Jerusalem (AFP) - An Arab Israeli has crossed into Syria using a paraglider with the apparent goal of joining rebel fighters there, the Israeli army said on Sunday.

"A surveillance post identified an Israeli civilian entering Syrian territory using a paraglider" late on Saturday, an army statement read.

Russia Building Arctic Bases In Preparation For World War 3?

Fears have been raised about the beginning of World War 3 after Moscow announced plans for three new military bases within 300 miles of the U.S. mainland.

Not So Scary: This Is Why Russia's Military Is a Paper Tiger

While Moscow’s military adventure in Syria shows that its forces have improved markedly since their near collapse in the mid-1990s, Russian military forces still have many weaknesses.

How Putin’s Ukrainian Dream Turned Into a Nightmare

By Adrian Karatnycky and Alexander J. Motyl

Whatever the larger goal of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s armed intervention in Syria, it has succeeded in distracting the world’s attention from his ongoing aggression in eastern Ukraine. In hishalf-hour speech at the United Nations earlier this month timed to reach a prime-time Russian audience, he spent only a minute on the Ukrainian conflict, focusing instead on Russia’s constructive role in the Middle East.

Russia has released footage of one of its planes intercepting a US Reaper drone over Syria

Russia's Ministry of Defense has released a video showing a Sukhoi (Su-30SM) more or less intercepting a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over Syria.

Neocon Scheme: Send Nuke Bombers to Israel

Just in case the Iran deal falls apart, a group of hawkish U.S. lawmakers and generals says Israel should have some B-52s and B-1s. The only problem: Israel doesn’t seem to want them.

Bombs Away: This Is Why Russia's Air War in Syria Is So Impressive

The Russian air force in Syria seems to be generating close to the theoretical maximum number of sorties possible for thirty-two fixed-wing combat aircraft. That’s of course assuming the Russians are providing factually accurate information about their operations in Latakia.

Russia Demands Explanation After Newspaper Reports British Planes Have Permission to Shoot Down Russian Jets

(CNSNews.com) – Russia’s ambassador to Britain said he has requested an urgent explanation from the British government after a media report Sunday said that British pilots flying anti-ISIS missions have been given permission to shoot down Russian aircraft if threatened.

China calm over TPP isolation as it pursues regional deals

Beijing (AFP) - A new US-led Pacific trade pact that pointedly excludes China could see it lose influence and key export markets, but observers say the web of bilateral deals Beijing has forged is enough to maintain its global clout.

What Will the TPP Mean for China?

On Oct. 5, the United States, Japan and ten other countries concluded negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) — the largest regional trade accord in history, and one that does not include China. If approved, the agreement will set new terms for the nearly $28 trillion in trade and business investment between the parties to the deal. In this ChinaFile conversation, experts discuss how the TPP may affect China and the future of U.S.-China relations.

Russia’s Missiles: A Major New Weapon in Syria Conflict

A photo taken from video published by the Russian Defense Ministry purports to show missile launches from the Caspian Sea to strike targets in Syria. CreditRussian Defense Ministry

By mounting a missile strike from warships nearly 1,000 miles away, the Russian military added a major new weapon on Wednesday to its operations in support of President Bashar al-Assad’s forces in Syria.

US admiral: The Russian military is trying to 'cripple' NATO

A US admiral has warned that NATO is having difficulty adapting and responding to evolving Russian military threats.

Russia Turning The Corner On Sanctions

Moscow’s business district. The country has been a pariah for over a year. But with Vladimir Putin’s United Nations speech, his open discussion with journalist Charlie Rose and a calmer situation in Eastern Ukraine, he may have turned the dial on the negative political sentiment that’s put a ceiling on Russian equity moreso than weak oil prices.

Russia has turned the corner, thanks in part to the recent candid, public appearances by its president, Vladimir Putin. The Sept. 29 interview with Charlie Rose in the suburbs of Moscow, his United Nations General Assembly speech about fighting terrorism in Syria, and Germany and France suddenly leaning more towards Russia on the Ukraine variable means Russia is looking less gnarly than it did a few months ago. For investors, this may be a time to start dipping into Russian stocks.

Potentially game-changing oil reserves discovered in Israel

Haifa, Israel – After Israel complained for years that it was surrounded by oil-rich states but didn’t have a drop within its own borders, it appears there’s a big-time turnaround with the announcement Wednesday that massive oil reserves have been located in the Golan Heights,close to the country’s border with Syria.

Netanyahu says Israel's relationship with Russia is good

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel wants to avoid an adversarial relationship with Moscow and is unsure how Russia's recent military intervention in Syria will affect the situation there.

The US is providing Ukraine with a radar system that could 'help tip the balance' of the country's conflict

(US Air Force) A Q-36 radar system 

The US and its partners have struggled to counter Russian president Vladimir Putin's moves on the world stage. Russia has continued to beef up its military presence in Syria while conducting unilateral strikes against US-backed rebels in the country. And in Ukraine, Russian-backed separatists continue to occupy much of the Donbas region.

Pentagon: Russia Violated Treaty with Recent Missile Test

Pentagon: Russia Violated Treaty with Recent Missile Test

A top U.S. Defense Department official said Russia violated a landmark nuclear treaty with the recent test of a new surface-to-air missile.