As footage emerges of North Korean soldiers suiting up in Russian gear, Ukraine warns that Pyongyang’s involvement could shift the balance of the conflict. With Moscow and Pyongyang forging a tighter military alliance, the international community faces fresh security concerns.

Georgia’s president, Salome Zourabichvili, drew sharp criticism from Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili after refusing to sign a controversial anti-LGBTQ bill into law on Oct. 2.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian ship fleets have turned to countries outside of the Western economic world to dodge increasing sanctions and oil caps.

Russian President Vladmir Putin’s new nuclear doctrine shifted significantly from the country’s previous nuclear policy. The new amendments, announced in late September 2024, lowered the threshold for the usage of nuclear weapons.

On Oct. 2 Vladimir Putin signed a law that allows criminals to join the army in return for immunity. According to independent Russian outlet Istories, the government wants to conscript 40 percent of 60,000 prisoners with pre-trial detention status.

On Monday, Sept. 23, a partnership was signed between Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a military cooperation including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.