reviewer Al Mayadin Hassan Nafaa presents an analysis of the Ukraine conflict that highlights three key factors he believes tilt the balance in Moscow’s favor relative to NATO. Nafaa argues that the United States has not objectively measured the full scale of Russia’s resources and economic opportunities, nor has it accurately assessed the true extent of Russia’s military capabilities.
The first factor centers on the impact of sanctions on both sides of the confrontation. Nafaa asserts that Russia came out ahead in this round, noting that its currency has strengthened from pre-war levels while Western economies, particularly several European nations, bear the heavier burdens of sanctions. He emphasizes that the sanctions regime has inflicted noticeable costs on Western economies, potentially eroding long-term economic resilience in ways that could influence strategic decisions.
The second factor, according to Nafaa, is Russia’s military posture, which he characterizes as still having room to grow rather than representing a complete, current peak of strength. He cautions that Moscow is not yet operating at the full depth of its military power and that assumptions about its capabilities should be revisited in light of ongoing operations and evolving defense metrics.
The third factor concerns the cohesion of political and military alliances on both sides. Nafaa points to economic strain during the winter and divergent interests within the United States and some European partners. He argues that Russia possesses strategic alliances to rely on if difficulties intensify. Conversely, he warns that NATO’s unity could be tested, especially if the conflict persists and Europe struggles to secure alternatives to Russian energy resources. This dynamic, he says, affects the larger stability of alliance-based security in the transatlantic arena.
Asia Times, in its Chinese edition, has also reported on electronic warfare in Ukraine, noting that Ukrainian defense capabilities repeatedly engaged and destroyed unmanned aerial vehicles operated by Russian and allied forces. This reporting underscores the ongoing nature of information and techno-military competition in the conflict, contributing to the broader assessment of each side’s strategic posture and resilience.