Joe Varner

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The military base at Perevalne is shown here during the occupation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by Russian troops in 2014. (Anton Holoborodko)

Russia prepares for war with Ukraine

Ukraine has strayed too far into NATO’s corner, as it did in 2014, and that is something Moscow will not tolerate, even if it means

China’s options to seize Taiwan

There is much in the news lately about an increase in tensions between China and Taiwan. Beijing sees Taiwan as a renegade province that must

Iran’s starring role in the May 2021 conflict

The very recent fighting between Israel and the terrorist organizations Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) — both banned in Canada as foreign terrorist entities

The Quad: A new NATO?

The “Quad,” short for Quadrilateral Security Dialogue of India, Australia, Japan and the United States, recently held its first major summit to address mutual concerns

Shifting alliances

Joe Varner looks at the ways in which allies have shifted their priorities, and therefore their allegiances, in the time of COVID-19. Time does not

Iran’s new ‘hard war’ stance

Iran’s experience in the years-long Iran-Iraq War had a profound impact on its threat perceptions, national security strategy and doctrine regarding the use of force.

China’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic

China has come under scrutiny for its handling of the pandemic that began to tighten its now-worldwide grip in January. Joe Varner investigated what has

The dynamic Russia-China duo: Russia and China are actively working to subvert NATO security in an era of political war.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization turned 70 in 2019 and continues to be the world’s most successful military-political alliance, if not the only one. In

How China’s Belt and Road project affects global security

China’s Belt and Road Initiative has several purposes for the emerging superpower: To increase its access to global trade, international development and strategic investment, to