Foreign Policy Blogs

Russia & Central Asia

Ten Things You Need to Know about Russian Military Exercises

Ten Things You Need to Know about Russian Military Exercises

The biggest Russian-Belarusian military exercise this year, started on September 14, 2017. Yet, this event has been analyzed by security pundits for months.

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Russia Pins Hopes on U.S. Corporations to Ease Sanctions

Russia Pins Hopes on U.S. Corporations to Ease Sanctions

Oil, energy, banking, aerospace, auto and manufacturing industries are lobbying against Russia sanctions legislation going through Congress.

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Connecting the Dots Between Trump and Russian Lawyer Veselnitskaya

Connecting the Dots Between Trump and Russian Lawyer Veselnitskaya

President Donald Trump’s Russia problems have multiplied with recent reports that his son, Donald Trump Jr., met with a Kremlin-linked Russian lawyer during the 2016 presidential campaign after he was promised damaging information on Hillary Clinton and told that this information was “part of a Russian government effort” to help his father in winning the presidency. […]

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Trump Confirms Authoritarian Bromance with Putin

Trump Confirms Authoritarian Bromance with Putin

U.S. President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin July 7 on the sidelines of the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit in Hamburg, Germany. Intended to be a half-hour meeting, it went on for more than two hours. Present in addition to Trump and Putin were U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Russian Foreign […]

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Can Trump Be Trusted in a Room Alone with Putin?

Can Trump Be Trusted in a Room Alone with Putin?

According to reports, U.S President Donald Trump is “eager to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin with full diplomatic bells and whistles” at the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit in Hamburg, Germany on July 7. In fact Trump is “so excited about meeting Vladimir Putin that U.S. officials are worried.” U.S. allies in Europe are also worried. They probably […]

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Trump’s Foreign Policy Helps Putin’s Reelection Plan

Trump’s Foreign Policy Helps Putin’s Reelection Plan

When the Kremlin decided to meddle in the U.S. election in favor of Trump, it nurtured the hope of a reset in bilateral ties with the West.

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Catalysts for Never Ending Attacks

Catalysts for Never Ending Attacks

Future policies that deeply antagonize communities need to be prevented at all costs. Otherwise, it is unlikely that attacks, such as the one in St. Petersburg, will end.

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Despite Hurdles, Russia’s Eurasian Dream Lives On

Despite Hurdles, Russia’s Eurasian Dream Lives On

Economic dependence and shared cultures and borders make it nearly impossible for the former Soviet republics to break ties with the Kremlin without shooting themselves in the foot.

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What does the National Intelligence Council think of Russia?

What does the National Intelligence Council think of Russia?

Considering the prospects for Eurasia, it concludes that “Russia’s aggressive foreign policy will be a source of considerable volatility in the next five years.”

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As Sanctions are Lifted, Russia Eyes Trade Opportunities with Iran

As Sanctions are Lifted, Russia Eyes Trade Opportunities with Iran

As Iran’s economy is likely to become a bonanza for foreign companies in the upcoming years, Russia is preparing to secure its share.

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Living in Interesting Times in Central Asia

Living in Interesting Times in Central Asia

Uzbekistan’s president is dead, a suicide bomber struck the Chinese embassy in Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan leader cracked down on widespread demonstrations.

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Future Russian Leaders Might Regret Putin’s ‘fresh start’ With Erdogan

Future Russian Leaders Might Regret Putin’s ‘fresh start’ With Erdogan

The Kremlin keeps accusing the West of meddling in Russian politics but embraces Turkey that openly claims large swaths of its territory.

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Japan Charts More Independent Course to Improve Russian Relations

Japan Charts More Independent Course to Improve Russian Relations

Japan realizes, irrespective of U.S. wishes, that it needs better relations with Russia in order to more effectively balance China within the region.

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China and Russia Join Hands for Internet Censorship

China and Russia Join Hands for Internet Censorship

China and Russia are trying to establish a system of their own for internet governance as an alternative to the “hegemonic” Western system they fear.

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Putin Emerges as a Winner in the Panama Papers Scandal

Putin Emerges as a Winner in the Panama Papers Scandal

Despite economic turmoil and challenged political credibility of Russia on the world stage, the Panama Papers revelations will not pose a significant threat to the stability of Putin’s regime but will worsen Russia-U.S. relations and the country’s image in the West.

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