Foreign policy
Two maps show NATO’s growth — and Russia’s isolation — since 1990
A Swedish soldier takes part in exercises on May 17, 2022. Her country, along with Finland, now wants to join NATO. Jonathan Nackstrand | Afp | Getty Images Russia has become increasingly isolated from the rest of Europe over the last 30 years, and maps of the continent illustrate just how drastic the change has […]
Read More
‘The whole world is against us’: Russian military analyst gives damning assessment of Ukraine war on state TV
Destroyed military equipment of the Russian army in the city of Bucha. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images In a country where independent media and commentary has all but disappeared from public view, it’s rare to hear dissenting voices on the many state-controlled TV networks in Russia — particularly now with the country at […]
Read More
Finland and Sweden formally apply to join the NATO military alliance. Follow our live updates
Finland and Sweden formally applied to join NATO on Wednesday marking another step toward the Western military alliance’s expansion, although the full accession process could take a year and Turkey’s objections need to be overcome. The status of the besieged Azovstal steelworks complex in Mariupol, a heavily-destroyed port city in southern Ukraine, remains unknown with […]
Read More
‘The stakes here are now massive’: Turkey is threatening to block NATO membership for Sweden and Finland
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks ahead of the peace talks between delegations from Russia and Ukraine at Dolmabahce Presidential Office in Istanbul, Turkiye on March 29, 2022. Arda Kucukkaya | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has doubled down on his opposition to Sweden and Finland joining the NATO alliance, […]
Read More
Soldiers evacuated from besieged Mariupol steelworks; Turkey could block NATO bids from Finland, Sweden
Turkey says it won’t approve Finland, Sweden NATO bids Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan holds a news conference during the NATO summit at the Alliance’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium June 14, 2021. Yves Herman | Reuters Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated Ankara’s objections to Sweden and Finland joining NATO, saying Turkey will not approve […]
Read More
Take a look inside the Finnish bunkers capable of withstanding a nuclear attack
HELSINKI, Finland — Blast proof, gas proof and offering protection from radiation and toxic chemicals — Finland takes its network of underground bunkers seriously. Located about 60 feet underground, this civil shelter in Helsinki can hold up to 6,000 people. Defying expectations of a dark, damp cave; it’s bright, clean and warm, complete with soccer […]
Read More
NATO is about to get bigger and Putin is unhappy: Here are 3 ways Moscow could react
Russian President Vladimir Putin leaves Red Square after the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 9, 2022. Kirill Kudryavtsev | Afp | Getty Images With Finland and Sweden both announcing their bids to join the Western military alliance NATO, ending a decades-long history of military non-alignment, all eyes are on Russia and […]
Read More
Ukraine can win this war, NATO chief says; Finland and Sweden move to join military alliance rattling Moscow
Ukraine says it’s counterattacking in the east, pushing Russian forces back Ukrainian forces say they have pushed back the Russian military in the region around Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, and near the border with Russia. “The 227th Battalion of the 127th Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine of Kharkiv […]
Read More
U.S., Europe race to improve food supply chains after India bans wheat exports
PARIS — The United States and the European Union are looking at how to improve food supply chains with export restrictions from India and other nations accentuating global problems, the EU’s trade chief told CNBC. G-7 foreign ministers warned over the weekend that the war in Ukraine is increasing the risk of a global hunger […]
Read More
Finland will apply to join NATO, president says, in a historic move for the neutral country
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto. Frank Augstein | Reuters Finland will apply for membership of NATO, the country’s president said Sunday, in a historic move for the Nordic country, which has had a decades-long policy of military neutrality. In a press conference, President Sauli Niinisto said membership of NATO will “maximize” Finland’s security after Russia’s unprecedented […]
Read More