Some initial analysis of latest @SIPRIorg data on Russian arms exports that I am feeding into a research paper I'm currently drafting. 1/

From 2014-18, Russia was world's 2nd largest arms exporter. ~58% of its exports to 3 states: India, China, Algeria. 2/

Anecdote. Brother commanded a battery in 1 MARDIV during the fight to Baghdad in 2003. Said his proudest moment was when one of his platoon commanders made a decision to not engage a group of armed Iraqi army troops despite ROE allowing it. 1/7 Platoon maintained contact with the group. Soon the Iraqis surrendered. Group comprised of Iraqi officers who wanted to stay armed until surrendering to protect themselves from their own troops — they trusted the USMC. The platoon could have—and some could argue, should’ve— 2/7

My attempt at analyzing the influence of U.S. domestic politics on continued support for Ukrainian security assistance. Both of the leading Republican candidates for the party's nomination have questioned the viability of U.S. security assistance. 1/

https://twitter.com/CSPS_GMU/status/1641846292316844033

Former POTUS Trump has questioned the utility of American security agreements; and Gov DeSantis recently stated that the Russo-Ukrainian War was a "territorial dispute." 2/ cbsnews.com/news/ron-desan…