He knew the layout of the nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, the source of the water that cools its reactors, and the high-voltage cables that move its electricity. He knew where a shell had rec

MILITARY

During a highly charged presidential campaign, a bomb explodes, unleashing panic and a wave of recriminations. Then a Chinese Y-8 reconnaissance aircraft vanishes in Taiwan’s eastern waters. Under the

When General Francisco Franco died on 20 November 1975 – 39 years after the start of the brutal civil war that brought him to power – the prospect of a bloodless transition to democracy in Spain appea

Despite recent shockwaves in the Middle East, Washington need not fear losing its position there to Moscow or Beijing

In the 21st century, we have moved into an era of performative covert action. Leaders such as Vladimir Putin have used the shadow of death to coerce their enemies overseas and to reinforce their warri