L. Todd Wood — Behind the Curtain
L. Todd Wood
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Nukes the latest distraction as Erdogan clings to power
Dictators throughout history have played the same games in order to stay in power. One stratagem is as old as Rome itself, after the republic became corrupt and gave way to an empire run by one man, rather than the Senate.
An eye-opening, first-hand view of Chechnya today
I have to admit I was hesitant when asked to participate in a 10-day "cultural tour" of Chechnya in the northern Caucasus.
Trump's realism opens up new possibilities with Russia
President Trump confirmed Thursday he and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone about the raging fires and about possible technical help the U.S. could offer. Moscow no doubt sees the Trump offer as the start of a pathway for better U.S.-Russia relations.
Saudi think tank closes D.C. offices
The Arabia Foundation was a pro-Saudi think tank in Washington, known for communicating on issues important to the Kingdom to the American audience and their representatives. It abruptly closed this week, leading to speculation as to why.
Questions abound over Ukraine's seizure of Russian tanker
It was a move both obvious and ominous.
Something changed this week in Albania
The People's Mujahadeen of Iran (PMOI/MEK) has been demonized for decades, due to an organized, effective disinformation campaign by Iranian intelligence, and the appeasement of the mullahs by American presidents since the Islamic Revolution during Jimmy Carter's tour at the White House.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil allegedly receiving Iranian support
The nation of Lebanon in the Levant, directly north of Israel, has long been an economic basket case, since its fall from grace as a tourist jewel on the Mediterranean several decades ago.
Tell me again -- why are we defending Germany?
The Trump administration has been pushing our European allies to take a bigger role in Syria in the final campaign to mop up the last vestiges of the once-vaunted Islamic State caliphate. France and the United Kingdom have agreed to step up (modestly) their military presence in Syria to replace the departing Americans, reportedly down to around 400 troops.
Russia may soon control Ukraine's gas fields
Much changed in Ukraine after the election of Vladimir Zelenskiy to the presidency. More change is to come; some not good for Ukrainian sovereignty.
Putin's pitch to Italy is attracting an audience
President Vladimir Putin paid a visit to Rome, not to take in the sights but in an attempt to burnish the special relationship between the two countries. The clear subtext of Mr. Putin's trip was an attempt to widen the splits in the European Union over sanctions against the Kremlin for its aggressive behavior in Crimea, eastern Ukraine and elsewhere.
Albania case raises questions of who runs U.S. foreign policy
We have written often about Never Trumpers at the State Department working against the president's agenda in the Balkans, and specifically in Albania.
Saudi dissident: Kingdom's economy is faltering
We've spoken with Ali al-Ahmed from the Gulf Institute several times in the recent past and with tensions rising in the Middle East we thought it would be helpful to discuss the current positioning of Saudi Arabia in the Gulf, and surrounding area.
Time is running out for Iran's corrupt mullahs
It's just a matter of time.
Vladimir Putin not interested in fighting corruption in Moldova
For a media that has been obsessed with the narrative of Russian collusion in the U.S. for three years, and which has made Russian President Vladimir Putin out to be the Antichrist, it's interesting to see the Western press now spinning the narrative that the Kremlin in this case wants to "fight corruption" by backing the ACUM-Socialist coalition and allegedly '"does not want to interfere" in Moldova's affairs.
U.S. should hold Artificial Intelligence lead for workforce training
As President Trump has declared with his America First agenda, global economic rivalry is a national security issue. Those nations that fall behind economically could face military threats down the road, endangering their sovereignty.
Kazakhstan election could help a region advance
The Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan on Sunday will hold an early presidential election to choose the successor to Nursultan Nazarbayev, the country's one and only post-Cold War leader, who stepped down from power in March of this year. Despite the doubters out there, this is a historic opportunity for the Kazakh people and the region.
Donald Trump's full-court press puts the squeeze on Iran
The Trump administration has made the decision to push for regime change in Iran, whether U.S. officials want to admit it publicly or not. There is no "negotiating" with the mullahs in Tehran, even if multiple American presidents in recent history have attempted to do just that, with disastrous results.
Social engineering in the ranks put national security at risk
One of the underappreciated negative consequences of the Obama presidency has been a complete ideological change within America's armed forces.
Sketchy Joe Biden, Ukraine memo should be handled with care
Earlier this week, a memo surfaced in Ukraine, allegedly revealing how former Vice President Joseph R. Biden accepted an "unlawful benefit" from his son's financial ties to local oil and gas producer Burisma.
State Department should be investigated too, for actions overseas
The State Department is also knee deep in the Deep State with Obama holdovers working their seditious black magic in the cubicles of Foggy Bottom and around the world.
