Situation Reports

Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025: A Gathering Storm in China

China put forward its vision for a Sino-centric future at the 2025 SCO Summit as well as a reinvention of its past victory in WWII alongside the leaders…

Sep 4 •

Understanding Russian and Iranian Fears Over Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Deal and Middle Corridor Trade Route - an Interview with Jennifer…

South Caucasus expert Jennifer Wistrand joins OPFOR Journal to discuss the global consequences of the recent U.S. brokered peace deal between Armenia…

Aug 28 •

Understanding China's Economic Levers of Power: A Conversation with Jim Mullinax on Critical Minerals, Chips, Russia, and the Future of…

Jim Mullinax, a Senior Foreign Service Officer with the Department of State, joins OPFOR Journal to discuss strategic competition between the US and…

Aug 5 •

Singapore Takes Unprecedented Military Action Against Chinese State-Sponsored Hackers

UNC3886 attack on Singapore's critical infrastructure shows growing Chinese cyber threat to US allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific

Jul 23 •

The Trump Pivot Against Russia

The Trump White House's change in policy toward Russia was driven by growing political pressure, miscalculations by China and Russia, and smart…

Jul 14 •

Situation Report: Russia's 2025 Shahed Drone Offensive

Overnight on July 8 - 9, Russia launched the largest air assault of the war, the latest in an escalating series of drone-led attacks in 2025.

Jul 10 •

Russia and North Korea’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at One Year — a Conversation with Troy Stangarone

Co-Chair of the North Korea Economic Forum at George Washington University, Troy Stangarone, joins OPFOR Journal to discuss the future of the strategic…

Jul 3 •

Operation Midnight Hammer - Day Two and Beyond

Successful US strikes on Iran's nuclear program setup a high-stakes confrontation with an uncertain conclusion.

Jun 23 •

Situation Report: China's Unprecedented Spring Naval Campaign

Overshadowed by the ongoing war in Ukraine and the emerging war between Israel and Iran, China has embarked on a naval campaign of unprecedented scale…

Jun 17 •

Situation Report: Operation Rising Lion - Israel Targets Iran

On June 13 Israel launched the first salvos of an expected multi-day campaign to cripple Iran's nuclear program. Initial Israeli strikes killed top…

Jun 13 •

Situation Report: Operation Spider Web —Ukraine's Great Raid

Ukraine deals a serious blow to Russia's strategic bomber force in a series of daring long-range attacks a day before both sides resume negotiations in…

Jun 1 •

Situation Report: Ceasefire Negotiations with Russia

Vladimir Putin rebuffs two attempts by the US to mediate an end to the war in the past week as he seeks to drag out negotiations and seek maximum…

May 20 •

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