Zimbabwe's shift to build deeper economic ties with the United States comes at the same time as US-Zimbabwe negotiations over US funding of health programs in the country failed. The move reflects a desire to move beyond humanitarian assistance to focus on trade and investment opportunities. Read more by Simba Ruwodo buff.ly/A6njf5Y

In Episode 11 of #ShiftingGround, @LPRubin73 and @RachelWhitlark sit down with guest @AmyJNelsonPhD. The conversation explores the concept of “phantom signaling,” the role of intelligence and evidentiary support in maintaining nuclear credibility, and insights from her book, The Arms Control Paradox: Managing Uncertainty in an Insecure World. buff.ly/nO2XyLg

Following Ukrainian strikes on Yandex data centers, international observers noticed a drop in Russian online bot activity across global social platforms. Not only did the strikes disrupt disinformation operations, but they also disrupted general Russian telecommunications and digital infrastructure, as Yandex houses over 64,000 clients. Read more in the #BearMarketBrief: buff.ly/TzaKCY3

⏰️ Last Chance to Register | October 20, 12:00 PM EDT | 18:00 CET New Eastern Europe will join FPRI for a virtual panel discussion spotlighting Central Europe. The panel will explore the political trajectories of the Visegrád Four (V4)—Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia—and how their internal politics will impact regional solidarity and the broader transatlantic alliance. Register here: buff.ly/idFlN0U

Can the United States participate in Zimbabwe’s economic expansion without demanding exclusive alignment? This would require a different conception of influence. Rather than asking whether Zimbabwe is “with” or “against” Washington, policymakers might ask whether American engagement can create sufficient economic and diplomatic value to make the relationship mutually beneficial. buff.ly/A6njf5Y

Every Monday, András Tóth-Czifra and Lee Block offer insights on Russia's economy, political environment, regional updates, and more in the #BearMarketBrief. Subscribe here for weekly updates: buff.ly/CW3umJs

Based on a survey of three Iranian missile production sites at Parchin, Khojir, and Shahroud, we see evidence of underground activity combined with limited progress clearing debris and reconstituting their aboveground missile production infrastructure. Iran will need to remove the debris, construct new buildings, and install equipment like planetary mixers and casting pits before production can resume there, which will take some time. buff.ly/90diI5z

🗓️ Thursday, October 29 | 10:30 AM EDT | Virtual Event Join FPRI's Africa Initiative for a panel discussion focusing on the lessons that senior decision-makers should take from Kenya's ill-fated police deployment into Haiti and what the future might hold for Haiti’s security situation. buff.ly/vn3Eqlo

Check out what FPRI was up to this week: buff.ly/EYrSU9E

In his latest analysis, Simba Ruwodo details the shifting nature of Zimbabwe's relationship with the United States: one defined by sanctions, humanitarian assistance, and political reform to one of economic diplomacy, trade and investment opportunities, and targeted cooperation. However, Ruwodo emphasizes that Zimbabwe will not solely rely on a US partnership and will collaborate with China as well. The true test of the US-Zimbabwe partnership is: can the US develop a durable relationship with an African state whose government does not intend to choose a single external partner? buff.ly/A6njf5Y

Dominic Tierney underscores the United Kingdom's approach to foreign policy under Andy Burnham as one of balancing values and interests. No clearer example of this has been shown than UK efforts to support Ukraine and help mend its relationship with a key ally, the United States. Read the full analysis to learn about Burnham's foreign policy doctrine. buff.ly/YEoKDDi

High-level secrecy and reporting suppression resulted in a potential health crisis plaguing the Irkutsk region. The region's governor lifted a quarantine that had been in place since October 8, following the death of a lab worker at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute. Over 100 people were hospitalized, but Russia's federal health watchdog said there were no epidemic risks. More in the #BearMarketBrief buff.ly/TzaKCY3

As someone who focused her career on the Middle East, Tamara Coffman Wittes highlights that the dominant conventional wisdom of academic Middle East studies was that autocracies are resilient and prepared to be around for a long time. (20:15) buff.ly/ItyhV4S

Lee Block highlights Russia's miscalculation in striking Ukrainian drone centers and how it led to Ukraine retaliating with strikes on Russian Yandex data centers in Sasovo and Vladimir. Russia now finds itself in a vulnerable position because most of its data centers are concentrated in nearby areas, chiefly Moscow, and cannot relocate elsewhere. #BearMarketBrief buff.ly/TzaKCY3

If you missed our virtual discussion on the impact of the US withdrawal from Iraq, watch the full event on our YouTube channel! buff.ly/7oKjUc8