Russia

"“Russia is unlikely to, in reality, cut the de-confliction hotline, as it is not in its interests to do so,” Lain says. “This is not just about managing the actions of Russia and its allies, but also now the greater uncertainty over U.S. responses to tensions in the conflict.” "

Is Russia Ready to Fire at U.S. Military Jets in Syria?

The Future of Transatlantic Sanctions on Russia

Peter E. Harrell, Tom Keatinge, Sarah Lain, and Elizabeth Rosenberg

This report examines Russian aggression and election intrusion, how current and future sanctions can serve as a countermeasure, and how Europe can maintain a united front on sanctions even as the EU and the UK negotiate Brexit. The report also makes a series of recommendations for US and Europe on ensuring sanctions continue to be effective.

Lessons Learned so far from the ‘Global Laundromat’ Scheme

Sarah Lain

The UK Economic Secretary to the Treasury and banks have been criticised by MPs over Britain’s alleged role in a transnational money laundering scheme. However, closer examination shows that combating money laundering may not be as simple as MPs and other critics think.

"‘Rivet Joint takes a very sensitive reading of Russian air defences, such as their search radars. It is very useful for the UK and US to know the sorts of patterns that the Russians’ frequency-agile radars operate with. The UK and US aircraft were most likely trying to provoke a response, because usually the Russians wouldn’t broadcast their highest end radar waveforms for Britain and the US to collect and analyse.’ "

Plane spotters with £2.99 app expose top secret UK spy plane off Russia: Highly-classified mission involving £650m aircraft is watched by thousands online

After St Petersburg: Russia and the Threat from Central Asian Terror Networks

Mark Youngman and Cerwyn Moore

The investigation into the 3 April terrorist attack on the St Petersburg metro has focused on a man of Central Asian origin with possible ties to Syrian rebel groups. The attack raises concerns about the threat posed both by Daesh and extremists within Russia’s sizeable Central Asian community.

"“Firing shrapnel is the most natural way to fight small drones,” Sutyagin says. “The new idea is the development of brilliant shrapnel, or smart shrapnel as it is sometimes called, in which you put interceptors close to the target and launch a cloud of millions of these particles. It is tougher to hit a drone with a missile.” "

Russian Arms Contractor Plans Anti-Drone Smart Shrapnel Weapon