Western comments on Russian domestic and foreign affairs have, during the last years, become more and more gloomy. Among other topics, this pessimistic discourse (to which I too have contributed) features Putin’s neo-imperial plans for the post-Soviet area, the many varieties of post-Soviet Russian ultra-nationalism, the fragility of the geopolitical grey zone between the Kremlin-dominated […]
Understanding what Russian large-scale military exercises are designed to accomplish could offer answers and highlight areas that NATO should closely watch.
Moscow has tried to undermine the coherence, unity, and indivisibility of NATO. In fact, Russian actions were aimed at holding NATO-Russia relations hostage in a post-truth world.
While continued attempts at dialogue seek that elusive common ground, some transparency and risk-reduction measures are in trial mode to keep open channels.
NATO should strengthen both aspects of this renewed dual-track policy—responding to the security needs of its most exposed members, while at the same time advocating dialogue and transparency to diffuse tension in their relations with Russia.