Reports of Luke Coffey
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Caspian states jockey for position over its status as sea or lake
The region around the Caspian Sea plays a role in many of the world’s most daunting challenges. From the rise of Islamic extremism to Russia’s resurgence to Iran’s renewed assertiveness, the largest enclosed body of water on earth figures in the problems’ address book. It is rich in natural resources ...
Russia flexes military muscle in Arctic even as money grows tight
Russia’s strategic goals in the Arctic are to secure current and potential energy resources and to maintain military superiority above the Arctic Circle. While the threat of armed conflict among the Arctic powers remains low, the international community should consider the implications of Moscow’s military build-up in the region in ...
Iran’s growing influence in the South Caucasus adds to already complex tensions
The South Caucasus, consisting of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, sits at a crucial geographical and cultural crossroads. The area has proven to be strategically important, both militarily and economically, for centuries, and Iran’s return to the world stage after decades of isolation looks set to put the region back on ...
Potential threats to Europe may not stop reductions in US forces
The United States, suffering from global overstretch, continues to reduce its military forces in Europe. It can be argued that American troops on the continent are as important for transatlantic security today as they were during the Cold War (1947-1991), albeit for different reasons. What has not changed is Europe’s ...
Nato keeps door ajar for new members while casting wary eye on Russia and Greece
The next Nato summit, to be held in Warsaw in July 2016, may be the alliance’s fourth in a row without adding new members. Assuming the days of enlargement are over would be a mistake, because Nato’s ‘open door’ policy is one of the best ways to convince countries to ...
Cameron’s challenges after polls victory: Europe, Scotland and Britain’s world role
UK Prime Minister David Cameron celebrated after winning a largely unexpected victory in the UK general election, but the prime minister’s wafer-thin majority means that introducing his policies is a threat from both his political opponents and the rebels within his own Conservative Party. There is cross-party concern about the ...
Russia remains leading power in the Caspian region at heart of Eurasia
The Caspian region, lying at a strategically and geographically important crossroads in the heart of Eurasia has attracted the interest of all leading global powers. All want some part of it for differing reasons. But one major challenge over whether the Caspian is a sea or a lake, and who ...
Without change, Nato’s future looks bleak
There is an increasing belief inside Nato that the Alliance needs to refocus on territorial defence in the North Atlantic region as it views a resurgent Russia on its eastern border, and the militant Islamist movement ISIS on its southern border. But Nato is only as strong as its members. ...
