By José Carlos Palma* The recent U.S.-led airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen have unleashed a ripple effect with far-reaching consequences, amplifying the intricate geopolitical dynamics that already define the Middle East. As the echoes of conflict reverberate globally, it becomes imperative to dissect the multifaceted repercussions of this military

By José Carlos Palma* In the intricate tapestry of economic cycles, the year 2024 emerges as a pivotal juncture with eerie echoes of the events leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. A nuanced examination reveals a disconcerting parallelism between the Federal Reserve’s responses then and now, raising concerns that

By José Carlos Palma* Recruiting from the Untapped Talent Pool In the pursuit of national security goals, the United States military and intelligence community continually seek to recruit, develop, and retain a skilled and diverse workforce capable of addressing the complex challenges of the modern era. However, there exists an

By José Carlos Palma* The term “Russia’s backyard” was used to describe Soviet Central Asia and the republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. While Russia had a strong influence in the region for centuries, the countries of Central Asia

By José Carlos Palma* Decoding Putin’s Plan to Weaken the West Through Proliferation of Local Wars As the world grapples with the increasing complexity of global conflicts, Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be orchestrating a strategic move to trigger more local wars with the ultimate goal of weakening the

By José Carlos Palma* Introduction In the intricate tapestry of global politics, the strength of leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of nations. While strong political leadership can inspire change, foster unity, and drive progress, weak leadership can have far-reaching consequences, hindering development and eroding public trust.

By José Carlos Palma* The relationship between refugees and terrorism is a complex and contentious one. While there is some evidence to suggest that refugee flows can increase the risk of terrorism, this is by no means a straightforward or inevitable outcome. The research on this topic is far from

By José Carlos Palma* Espionage, the clandestine gathering of information, has long been a crucial element of international relations. In the 21st century, however, the world of espionage has undergone a significant transformation, driven by technological advancements, the rise of new adversaries, and the evolving geopolitical landscape. As intelligence agencies

By José Carlos Palma* The Essequibo region, a vast expanse of land located in western Guyana, has been a source of contention between Venezuela and Guyana for over a century and a half. The disputed territory, encompassing approximately 159,500 square kilometers, is rich in natural resources, including gold, diamonds, and

By José Carlos Palma* In 2019, the esteemed Henry Kissinger, a towering figure in American diplomatic history, issued a stark warning about the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) in the control of nuclear weapons. His concerns, rooted in a lifetime of experiences spanning the harrowing days of Nazi Germany

By José Carlos Palma* The F-15E Strike Eagle, born out of the Cold War era, remains a timeless icon of air superiority, boasting a legacy that transcends decades. Originally conceptualized in the late 1960s, the U.S. Air Force concluded its deliveries of the F-15E in 2002, yet its influence persists

By José Carlos Palma* During the Cold War, as the Royal Air Force soared with the success of the Harrier “Jump Jet,” the Soviet Union embarked on its own venture into vertical/short takeoff and landing (VSTOL) aircraft with the Yak-38 (NATO reporting name “Forger”). However, unlike the iconic Harrier, the