Pay Attention, America: Russia Is Upgrading Its Military

The Kremlin's forces are in the midst of a historic overhaul.

Russia is in the midst of a major modernization of its armed forces. This has been driven by Vladimir Putin’s ambition to restore Russia’s hard power and supported by the revenues that flowed into the Kremlin’s coffers between 2004 and 2014, when the price of oil was high. The modernization programs encompass all parts of the Russian military, including strategic nuclear, nonstrategic nuclear and conventional forces.

'The Russians are going to have a cow': The US's latest message to Putin 'is a really big deal'

(REUTERS/Jason Reed, Thomson Reuters) 

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Barack Obama. 

The US will devote a substantial portion of its defense spending to building up its military presence in Eastern Europe in an effort to deter Russian aggression in the region, Obama administration officialstold The New York Times.

No-Fly Zone: Russia's Next-Gen S-500 to Start Tests This Year

Russia is gearing up to test the first prototypes of its next-generation Almaz Antey S-500 air and missile defense system.

This is how much India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi is worth

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have been ranked as one of the world's most powerfulpeople, but he only keeps a measly Rs 4,700 ($70) as cash in hand. On the other hand, his total assets are worth Rs 14 million ($20,605), thanks to a residential property in the city of Gandhinagar, whose value has increased by more than 25 times since it was purchased 13 years ago.

February 01, 2016 Russia using Generation 4.5 Su-35s fighter in Syria

The advanced supermaneuverable russian Su-35S multirole fighters have began combat missions in Syria.

All Russian warplanes have recently been conducting operations with an obligatory cover provided by Russian and Syrian fighter jets as wells as modern air defense systems including the S-400 Triumf.

Meet the richest man in Africa — the only black billionaire among the world's 50 richest people

(REUTERS/Akintunde Akinleye)

Founder and CEO of the Dangote Group Aliko Dangote commands a fortune of $14.3 billion. 

There's only one person in all of Africa who makes the list of the 50 richest people on earth: Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote. When our ranking was released, Dangote's net worth stood at $14.3 billion, equal to 2.5% of Nigeria's GDP. 

How to Dismantle North Korea's Nuclear Arsenal

The United States and its regional partners are correct to oppose categorically a North Korean nuclear weapons capability, as well as all the testing and other activities that have become associated with it. This cornerstone of our collective policy should remain unchanged; to do otherwise would put the entire fabric of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty at risk and accede to a nuclear weapons capability in the hands of what may be the world’s single most brutal regime.

Lax enforcement weakens UN sanctions on nuclear North Korea

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — While the U.N. Security Council considers new sanctions on North Korea after its latest nuclear test, experts say existing sanctions are going unenforced.

China is going back in time

(REUTERS/Tyrone Siu) 

Workers carry an advertisement promoting the Chinese edition of "Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China." 

China is about to go back nearly 40 years in time, one of the most in-demand analysts on the country says.

Here's the kind of damage North Korea could do if it went to war

(REUTERS/KCNA ) North Korea military parade.

Tensions spiked between North Korea and the rest of the world after Pyongyang claimed that it successfully tested a miniaturized hydrogen bomb on Wednesday.

This is the Air Force radiation sniffer plane deploying after North Korea’s nuclear test

This is the Air Force radiation sniffer plane deploying after North Korea’s nuclear test

In this file photo, the WC-135W Constant Phoenix aircraft performs touch ‘n go landing exercises at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. (U.S. Air Force photo/Josh Plueger)

The U.S. Air Force will soon deploy a WC-135 Constant Phoenix aircraft to test for radiation near North Korea, part of the U.S. military’s ongoing effort to determine what the country’s provocative nuclear bomb test entailed.

World reacts to N. Korean announcement of hydrogen bomb test

Comments from around the world on North Korea’s announcement that it conducted its fourth nuclear test, and its first of a hydrogen bomb, on Wednesday:

Putin once casually said over dinner that he could destroy America in a half-hour — or less

In December 2011, Vladimir Putin, then Russia's prime minister, was positioned to reclaim his role as Russia's president in the March 2012 elections.

Fittingly, Putin hosted a lavish banquet at New Century, Moscow's richest equestrian club, for members of the Valdai Cluband distinguished academics and journalists from around the world.

"The fare was extravagant: smoked trout, duck liver, venison soup, rhubarb sorbet, veal cheeks, and pear soup with caramel," according to authors of the "The Russia-China Axis," Douglas E. Schoen and Melik Kaylan.

Putin addressed his guests on topics ranging from the "Russian government's loss of public trust to his own indispensable leadership."

He later directed his focus on the US and addressed the Americans in attendance.

"You ask me whether we are going to change," he said. "The ball is in your court. Will you change?"

He went on to express his disapproval of US plans to build a missile-defense system that he believed would pose a deliberate threat to Russia's national security.

Putin then added that the only reason the US had any interest in relations with Moscow was that Russia was the only country that could "destroy America in half an hour or less."

Schoen and Kaylan conclude: "It would be a difficult to find a statement more revealing about Putin's true position regarding the United States."

Russia's Military Is More Advanced Than You Might Think

Putin is itching to fight after one of his jets was shot down by Turkey.

Vladimir Putin is not a man to back down from provocation, especially a direct, lethal provocation like the shooting down of a Russian Su-24 aircraft by Turkey on Tuesday. Such an attack raises the possibility of a direct military confrontation, and makes you wonder just what Russia could do if you rattled its cage. How dangerous are they?

Assad forces 'build up' troops in Syrian Golan

Syrian government forces and opposition groups battle for control of town's in strategic Quneitra province

Rebels have expanded their control throughout most of Quneitra province [Alaa al-Faqir/Reuters]

Fierce fighting between Syrian government forces and armed opposition groups has continued in the Quneitra province of the country's southwest as locals report a massive build-up of troops and pro-government militias in several towns.