Japan Just Suddenly Became russia’s Worst Nightmare (video commentary)

08/19/2026

Russia just made a terrible mistake. Vladimir Putin just provoked Japan over the Kuril Islands – the source of a historic dispute between the countries since the days of the Soviet Union and the end of World War II. The problem is, this invites unnecessary risk for Russia as they continue to struggle in the war in Ukraine. Japan recently changed their laws to allow weapons exports, and they seem to be getting more and more willing to take action as they attempt to head off Chinese aggression around Taiwan and the South China Sea. If Russia continues to provoke Japan in these ways, the question is, might Japan get more decisively involved in supporting the Ukraine War? I look at all the details surrounding the history and strategy behind the Kuril Islands.