Introducing: The Arms File
Where weapons flow, power follows. The Arms File uncovers who’s arming whom and why it’s reshaping the fragile balance in Eastern Europe. Part of The Gunpowder Chronicles by The Frontliner.
Dear reader, we’re expanding the scope of The Gunpowder Chronicles with a focused, intelligence-driven newsletter: The Arms File.
This new brief will monitor, document, and analyse the movement, buildup, and deployment of weapons across the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe with a critical eye on Serbia’s rising role as a regional proxy furthering Russian geopolitical interests. In an increasingly polarised world, where arms deals are rarely just about defence, The Arms File will follow the paper trails and the supply chains to tell the deeper story behind military posturing.
We’ll look at:
Which countries are buying or selling weapons and why
What armament trends tell us about shifting alliances and strategic goals
How state and non-state actors are shaping the region’s security balance
And who benefits from keeping conflict zones armed and unstable
Why this matters
Weapons don’t move in a vacuum. They follow political will, economic leverage, and ideological alignment. And in fragile post-conflict regions like the Western Balkans, these movements often signal more than just readiness, they often precede escalation.
Why this newsletter matters, and why it’s coming from us
The Arms File is the brainchild of veteran war correspondent and investigative journalist Vudi Xhymshiti, whose two decades of frontline experience in armed conflicts—from Syria and Ukraine to the Balkans, bring unmatched depth and credibility to this mission. As founder and editor-in-chief of The Gunpowder Chronicles, Xhymshiti has long focused on exposing adversarial strategies that undermine democratic values, often through the opaque channels of foreign influence, weapons trafficking, and hybrid warfare.
With Serbia emerging as a key player in Russia’s wider geopolitical ambitions, and with disinformation and covert militarisation on the rise, Xhymshiti’s decision to launch The Arms File reflects both an urgent need and a unique expertise. This is not just another newsletter, it’s a strategic initiative to document, understand, and expose how weapons shape political realities in one of the world’s most fragile geopolitical fault lines.
Rooted in firsthand knowledge, investigative rigour, and a fearless commitment to truth, The Arms File is journalism with consequences.
About the logo
Our logo reflects the mission: a stark black folder containing a bullet—symbolising secrecy, statecraft, and firepower. It's sharp, clean, and deliberate. Just like the stories we aim to uncover.
Support this work
If you value journalism that’s independent, investigative, and grounded in geopolitical context, not clickbait, we invite you to become a paid subscriber. Your support funds original reporting and ensures that coverage of militarisation, arms trade, and proxy warfare stays in the public eye.
Read. Share. Support.
Subscribe to The Arms File today, because power always travels with a trigger.