War

Analysts are calling it China’s biggest military purge in roughly half a century: President Xi Jinping has placed his second-in-command, China’s top general, under investigation. Shanshan Mei, who specializes in Chinese defense policy at RAND, speaks with The World’s Marco Werman about the scope of the ongoing purge and what it reveals about the stability of Xi’s regime.

Concerned about the threat posed by a resurgent Russia, European countries are boosting defense spending and the size of their armies.

The nation currently known as Turkey sits where Europe meets Asia. That land was once known to Europeans as part of the Levant. National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek walked across Turkey on foot in 2014. He looks back on the experience of traversing that ground in conversation with Host Marco Werman.

Local politicians in Västerås, Sweden have voted to ask the national government to close down a Russian Orthodox church that they believe is being used by the Kremlin as a spy hub. Supporters of the church say the parish and its followers are being treated unfairly due to Russia-phobia.

European countries are seeking to enhance their defense capabilities, including personnel, as Russia ramps up drone attacks.