On Russia in World Affairs
This blog is about Russia's role in international politics and its relations with the world.
New entries
Amid endless talks about the ramifications of sanctions imposed against Russia, Western commentators and policy pundits are missing a critical point. Economic coercion imposed against Moscow, their argument runs, will enfeeble the Russian government…
Yesterday, the people of Ukraine have elected a new president. A billionaire, Petro Poroshenko, has a host of daunting tasks at hand. Amid the Kremlin's belligerent policy towards Kiev, Poroshenko has to modernize the economy, diversify…
Come May, Vladimir Putin is to pay a visit to China, where a number of consequential agreements will be signed. To be sure, this visit will have a profound impact on Russia's development in the years to come. If Putin decides to reorient its policy…
In the recent days, the post-Soviet world (and beyond) has been transfixed by Ukraine's contentious politics. Is it a beginning of the revolution, which will oust Yanukovych? Or is it a prelude to a wide-scale repression by the "family"? There is…
Last week, I had a chance to attend a talk by the eminent New York Times journalist and writer, Stephen Kinzer. Kinzer's talk centered on Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, the countries he wrote about in "Reset: Iran, Turkey, and America's Future…
Though kept under wraps, the ongoing peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians have had a disturbing record so far. Earlier this week, the New York Times reported that the Palestinian envoys to the U.S.-brokered peace negotiations with…
Writing in Foreign Affairs in 2010, Roger Altman and Richard Haass had forecast an age of "American austerity," arguing that U.S. global power will be contingent on the success of American policymakers in reducing the national debt and sustaining…
Two-and-a-half-years into the Syrian conflict, the balance of power in the embattled state continues to evolve between the government of Bashar al-Assad and the opposition groups, composed of secularists, islamists, and Al Qaeda-trained jihadists…
Last week, heaps of Ukrainian goods got stuck at the Russo-Ukrainian border, following the Kremlin's issuance of a "Marry me or else" ultimatum to Kiev — in case the latter finalizes its association agreement with the European Union…
The controversy surrounding Russian Winter Olympics in 2014 has been steadily gaining momentum in light of anti-gay legislation and encroachments on civil liberties in Russia. Western newspaper columnists, policymakers, and gay rights activists alike…
In early 2011, the world witnessed a hitherto unseen and largely unexpected course of events in the Middle East. Following the eruption of protests ignited by Mohamed Bouazizi’s self-immolation in Tunis, the entrenched dictatorships of…
One year after the utter failure of the U.S.-Russia “Reset,” the relationship between the two countries is gradually nearing its nadir. Beginning with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s message of encouragement to Russia’s…
Poll conducted
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In your opinion, what are the US long-term goals for Russia?
U.S. wants to establish partnership relations with Russia on condition that it meets the U.S. requirements 33 (31%) U.S. wants to deter Russia’s military and political activity 30 (28%) U.S. wants to dissolve Russia 24 (22%) U.S. wants to establish alliance relations with Russia under the US conditions to rival China 21 (19%)
