Ukraine

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe that has been at war with Russia since 2014. The current conflict began in February 2022 with a full-scale invasion by Russia. Ukraine is a sovereign state with a population of approximately 43 million people. It is bordered by Russia to the east, Belarus to the north, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west, and Romania and Moldova to the south. Ukraine is a member of the United Nations and has been a candidate for membership in the European Union since 2022.

Russia

Russia is a country in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is the largest country in the world by land area, spanning eleven time zones and bordering fourteen countries. Russia is a federation with a population of approximately 146 million people. It is a member of the United Nations and the BRICS group of emerging economies. Russia has a long history of military intervention in its neighboring countries, including Ukraine, Georgia, and Syria.

Baltic States

The Baltic States are three countries in Northern Europe: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. They are located on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea and are bordered by Russia to the east and Belarus to the south. The Baltic States were part of the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1991, but they regained their independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union. They are all members of the European Union and NATO.

Shangri-La Dialogue

The Shangri-La Dialogue is an annual security summit held in Singapore. It is Asia's premier defense and security forum, bringing together defense ministers, senior military officials, and security experts from across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as from the United States, Europe, and Australia. The dialogue provides a platform for discussions on regional security issues, including maritime security, terrorism, and the role of China in the region.

Joe Biden

Joe Biden is the 46th and current president of the United States. He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and served as a U.S. senator from Delaware from 1973 to 2009. He was also the 47th vice president of the United States under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. Biden is a member of the Democratic Party and is known for his moderate political views.

Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin is the current president of Russia. He has been in power since 2000, with a brief period as prime minister from 2008 to 2012. Putin is a former KGB agent and is known for his authoritarian style of leadership. He has been criticized for his human rights record and his annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Volodymyr Zelensky

Volodymyr Zelensky is the current president of Ukraine. He was born in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, and is a former comedian and actor. Zelensky was elected president in 2019 on a platform of reform and anti-corruption. He has been a vocal critic of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance.

NATO

NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance of North American and European countries. It was founded in 1949 to provide collective security against the Soviet Union. NATO's members are committed to defending each other from attack. The alliance has expanded significantly since the end of the Cold War, and now includes countries in Eastern Europe, such as Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.

Central Asia

Central Asia is a region in Asia that is located between the Caspian Sea and the Tian Shan mountains. It includes the countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Central Asia is a historically important region, located on the Silk Road, and has been home to many different cultures and empires. The region is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals.

Red Sea

The Red Sea is a body of water that separates the Arabian Peninsula from Africa. It is a narrow, elongated sea that is connected to the Indian Ocean by the Bab-el-Mandeb strait. The Red Sea is known for its warm waters, coral reefs, and diverse marine life. It is also an important shipping route, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean.