By Peter Zeihan

Russia is attempting to reforge its Cold War-era influence in its near abroad. This is not simply an issue of nostalgia, but a perfectly logical and predictable reaction to the Russian environment. Russia lacks easily definable, easily defendable borders. There is no redoubt to which the Russians can withdraw, and the only security they know comes from establishing buffers - buffers which tend to be lost in times of crisis. The alternative is for Russia to simply trust other states to leave it alone.

Read more...

By a special correspondent

In the centre of Luxembourg City, on Liberty Avenue, is an imposing building which epitomises the country's modern defence stance. Once occupied by General Omar Bradley as his armies drove on towards Germany, it was subsequently the site of meetings which led to the Common Market and thence inexorably to the European Union and the European Security and Defence Policy.

Until 1944, Luxembourg had no army. Since then it has enjoyed unbroken peace. Recently its Parliament agreed to increase authorised manpower to 1400.

Read more...