Russian International Affairs Council, December, 2012

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News and analysis: 1-27 december 2012

Greater Middle East

The Middle East:
Hard Times Coming
Vitaly Naumkin

The situation in Damascus is deteriorating and, if this continues, it could become very difficult indeed.

Syrian Conflict: New Phase on Track
Elena Suponina

The Morocco meeting's joint decision added something new to the process, which was also included in its final declaration, recognizing the National Coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.

The West Against Iran: Tough Choices for Neighboring States
Stanislav Pritchin

Even with stiff economic sanctions in force, a joint U.S. - Israeli military operation against Iran seems the most likely scenario for the evolving conflict over the Iranian nuclear program.

Did Social Media Play a Helpful Role in the Arab Spring?
Deen Freelon

How significant was the role of social media? And would the gains of the Arab Spring be even possible without social media? Deen Freelon dispels some common misconceptions around the way people have seen the role of social media in the Arab Spring.

European Union

Rightwing Radicals in Europe: Will the Boiler Explode?
Alexander Tevdoy-Burmuli

The European leaders will either extinguish the fire or the boiler explodes - altering the basic political structure and value models underpinning European society.

The Italian language: Soft Power or Dolce Potere?
Tatiana Zonova

Italians actively shape an international Italian-speaking community, and create, as they put it, a transcontinental country system to promote the attractiveness of Italy and the made in Italy brand.

Vladimir Malakhov: Multiculturalism in Western Europe: Beyond the Rhetoric

Fyodor Lukyanov: Europe for Russia: A key secondary partner?

Asia-Pacific Region

International Cooperation Is Not All "Give and Take"
Eduardo Pedrosa

Having a national committee for Asia Pacific cooperation can be very useful, at least once a year all the institutes or experts come together with government and business to discuss what's happening in the Asia Pacific and what Russia's positions could be.

Russian-Chinese Cooperation is the Key to Prosperity in the Asia-Pacific Region
Pan Dawei

Despite differences in political systems and state ideology, the two countries have found commonalities that are based on mutual understanding and mutual respect.

Dmitry Trenin Russia's Pacific Future: Solving the South Kuril Islands Dispute

USA

The Time Has Come for the Second Reset
Robert Donaldson

We really need to think, to understand the message that your former president Gorbachev was always sending: “This planet is our common home.”

Will the American Melting Pot Survive?
Andrey Korobkov

These immigrants boasted considerable ethnic, cultural and religious affinity, but also frequently displayed xenophobia and group prejudice.

Central and South Asia

Kyrgyzstan and eurasian integration: minimizing the related risks
Andrei Kazantsev

Currently Kyrgyzstan is working on joining both the Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Community and the Common Economic Space of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. However the process of Kyrgyzstan's integration is associated with certain risks.

Russia and India: An Enduring Relationship
Oleg Popadiuk

This article, which focuses on the key issues facing this bilateral dialog, and its future development prospects, is particularly timely as Russia's President Vladimir Putin is currently in India on a state visit.