Program Related Publication Feeds

Russia’s Self-defeating Game in Syria

kate — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Russia’s opposition to a new UN Security Council resolution calling on Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to step down should hardly come as a surprise. Reflecting a series of calculations about the Middle East as well as relations with the West, Moscow has staunchly backed Assad throughout the popular unrest roiling Syria over the past 10 months.

The Russian Presidential Elections

ecurran — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Q1: Who is going to be running in Russia’s 2012 presidential elections against Vladimir Putin?

Politics Have Returned to Russia: Where Do They Go from Here?

sherry — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Q1: What is the significance of the December 4 parliamentary elections and subsequent public demonstrations?

What Does the Arab Spring Mean for Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus?

jdunton — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The demonstrations that were sparked by Mohamed Bouazizi’s self-immolation in protest of police corruption in Tunisia in December 2010 spread a contagion of revolutions across North Africa and the Middle East.

Getting the Caucasus Emirate Right

jdunton — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

“Allah willing, all of the brothers, who are carrying out Jihad in the entire world, are our brothers for the sake of Allah, and we all today are going on one road and this road leads to Paradise.” These are not the words of al Qaeda’s Osama bin Laden, his deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri, or even the Taliban’s Mullah Omar.

Russia Looks East

jdunton — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Russia’s status as the world’s largest producer of hydrocarbons (oil and natural gas) today is principally the result of massive Soviet investments in western Siberian oil and gas fields dating back to the 1950s.

Capacity and Resolve

jdunton — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The last decade has seen the United States involved in two wars, an ongoing worldwide struggle against terrorism, and more recently a severe economic recession. This period has exposed two great structural challenges facing the United States. First, in a globalized world, vectors of prosperity quickly become vectors of insecurity. And second, the center of gravity in world affairs is shifting to Asia.

Global Forecast 2011

jdunton — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The Soviet and U.S. Experiences in Military Intervention in Afghanistan and Current U.S.-Russian Cooperation

ian — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

This paper was presented at a conference entitled "Carnegie Council's Program on U.S. Global Engagement: a Two-Year Retrospective."

The North Caucasus

jdunton — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Continued violence and unrest in the North Caucasus have created a major area of instability for the Russian Federation. Although Chechnya is relatively more stable, for now, under the brutal dictatorship of Ramzan Kadyrov, neighboring republics including Ingushetia, Dagestan, and others have experienced significant increases in the frequency of violence.

Radical Islam in the North Caucasus

jdunton — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500

As Kyrgyzstan plunges into crisis and the threat of a second Afghanistan in Central Asia looms large, the situation in the “Big Caucasus” seems less pressing and thus overshadowed. The worst scenarios predicted by analysts and politicians for the period of the 2008 August war have not been realized.

Violence in the North Caucasus

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400

The North Caucasus experienced another deadly summer (May 1 – August 31, 2010). Although Chechnya and Ingushetia saw comparatively less violence than they did in Summer 2009, we observed a troubling rise in the level of violence in Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria.

The Key to Success in Afghanistan

ian — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400

One of the most promising ways forward for the U.S. and NATO in Afgha-nistan is to focus on removing the impediments to continental transport and trade across Afghanistan‘s territory. Many existing international initiatives from the Mediterranean to the Indian sub-continent and Southeast Asia are already bringing parts of this network into being.

Russia after the Global Economic Crisis

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400

“These excellent essays by major Russian and Western scholars on Russia’s key political and economic developments are vital for anybody who wants to understand Russia’s current dilemma.”
- Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden

Shifting Priorities

ian — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0400

President Serge Sargsyan has been invited to the Nuclear Security Summit, organized by President Barack Obama on April 12-13, which will mark the first presidential visit to the United States in nine years. The agenda of the talks is now being drafted, yet it is important and useful to contribute to those efforts with our vision.

The Northern Distribution Network and Afghanistan

jdunton — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The development of new northern supply routes into Afghanistan, termed the Northern Distribution Network (NDN) by the U.S. government, and the expanded U.S. presence in Afghanistan has had considerable impact on regional geopolitics in Eurasia.

The Northern Distribution Network and the Modern Silk Road

jdunton — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500

As the U.S. presence in Afghanistan increases, so too will its demand for nonmilitary supplies. To accommodate this growth and address ongoing concerns with Pakistani supply lines, U.S.

Russia Eurasia Insider November 2009

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The Russia Eurasia Insider is produced by the Russia and Eurasia Program and provides reports and analysis on the region's geopolitical engagement, economics and internal politics. The newsletter draws on several Russian, U.S. and international media sources, including Associated Press, Bloomberg, Financial Times, RIA Novosti, Interfax, and others.

IN THIS ISSUE:

The MAGAI™ Construct and the Northern Distribution Network

jdunton — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The United States is pouring massive resources and risking precious lives of its soldiers in its efforts to stabilize Afghanistan, a part of the world most Americans could not identify on a map before 9/11. President Barack Obama has already increased the U.S. force presence considerably and is deliberating further increases in what may be the most portentous decision of his presidency.

From Assistance to Engagement

jdunton — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Over two days in July 2009, CSIS, along with colleagues from the Eurasia Foundation and the New Eurasia Foundation, convened a “Civil Society Summit” (CSS) in Moscow that explored how U.S. and Russian civil society ought to engage one another. At the end of the second day, we were joined by President Barack Obama.

U.S.-Russia Collaboration on Health

jdunton — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Despite a decade of pre-financial-crisis economic growth, Russia continues to suffer from health challenges unprecedented for an advanced industrial society in peacetime. The persistence of these maladies remains a mystery, and their magnitude and nature are reported unevenly in the Western media. Recent Kremlin domestic health policy initiatives hint at promising new directions.

Vice President Biden’s Comments on U.S.-Russia Relations: Reset or Setback?

pfrank — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Q1: What did Vice President Joe Biden recently say about U.S.-Russian relations?

The Russia Balance Sheet

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Russia has been on a wild roller-coaster ride for the past three decades with no end in sight. Just in the past year as the global financial crisis deepened, the conventional perception of Russia has changed from “safe haven” from the economic tsunami to one of the hardest hit larger markets in the world.

Turkey's Evolving Dynamics

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Relations between the United States and Turkey stand at a critical juncture. Turkey is a key ally in the advancement of U.S. interests vis-à-vis the Middle East, Eurasia, and global energy diversification. Turkey still sees the United States as its closest ally and wants to be a partner in advancing mutual interests, particularly in its immediate environs.

Releveraging U.S. Power amid Sino-Russian Rapprochement

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Chapter 10 from Chinese Soft Power and Its Implications for the United States.

Pressing the "Reset Button" on U.S.-Russia Relations

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Whither Russia? Russia’s economic circumstances as well as its articulated goals hold the answer to this eternal question.

Pressing the Reset Button in U.S.-Russia Relations

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Q1: Can the Obama administration really “press the reset button” in relations with Russia?

Economic Whiplash in Russia

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Understanding the ramifications of Russia’s economic crisis for its foreign policy is critically important.

The NATO-Russia Relationship

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

In 1997, the NATO alliance and the Russian Federation turned history on its head and founded a forum for regular consultation on security issues.

The Geopolitical Consequences of Transatlantic Energy Disunity

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Who would have thought that in the waning days of the Bush administration, the greatest source of friction within the transatlantic world would be energy security?

Where Should U.S. Policy toward Russia Go from Here?

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Emotions are riding high in Washington, but the United States must very carefully consider and calibrate its response to prevent a complete breakdown in the U.S.-Russian relationship that would

Ensuring U.S. Access to the International Space Station

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400

In his highly publicized July 24 speech in Berlin, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama struck a conciliatory chord in saying, “we must reject the Cold War mindset of the past and resolve to work with Russia when we can.” A few days later, Russia’s envoy to NATO, Dmitri Rogozin, raised the idea of a new security framework for Eurasia that would includ

An August War in the Caucasus

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Q1: The war between Russia and Georgia seems to have caught the United States by surprise. Why?

Toward a New Euro-Atlantic "Hard" Security Agenda

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

As new leaders are taking over in Moscow, Washington, and many EU capitals, they inherit a host of security problems in the Euro-Atlantic area that have accumulated and crystallized since the latest failed attempt, in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, to form a new strategic partnership between the Cold War adversaries.

Russia's 2020 Strategic Economic Goals and the Role of International Integration

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

In the mind of Vladimir Putin, Russia is destined to be a world leader. Even in 1999, when Western powers—and most Russians themselves—had written the country off as bankrupt and chaotic, Putin envisioned the future Russia as politically stable and economically prosperous.

Russia and the West

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The future of energy relations between Russia and the West can hardly be separated from the global energy environment.

U.S.-Russia Relations

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

U.S.-Russia relations are now at the low point of the second cycle of great expectations and profound disappointment since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. In both countries there is a widespread belief that things have gone terribly wrong—and that the other side is largely at fault.

EU-Russia Relations

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Having undergone a period of stagnation (2003–2006), relations between the European Union and Russia are now going through a period of depression (2006-present) that is rooted in a series of misunderstandings …

U.S.-Russia Strategic Partnership against Nuclear Proliferation

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

There are presently clear indications that we are about to see a revival of nuclear energy worldwide. It is important to make this expansion of nuclear energy for the production of electricity and desalinated …

Russia and Eurasia Program Update, April-May 2008

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

A summary of recent: events, publications,commentaries,in the news items,and more from the CSIS Russia and Eurasia program.

Victory Day in Moscow

Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Q1: What does the Victory Day parade tell us about where Russia is today?

Transition in Russia?

Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Q1: What will happen in Russia in the near term politically?

Russia and Eurasia Program Update, February-March 2008

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

A summary of recent: events, publications, commentaries, in the news items, and more from the CSIS Russia and Eurasia program.

Atlantic Outlook: Medvedev May Seek Warmer Russian Relations with the West

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Continuity of policy and stability have been the mantras of the Russian leadership both in December’s parliamentary elections and in the presidential election that predictably endorsed Dmitry

Ukraine-Russia Tensions

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Ukraine-Russia tensions have grown over the questions of natural gas sales and Kyiv’s bid for a NATO membership action plan.

The Russian "Election"

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Q1: What will happen in Russia in the near term politically—given Sunday’s expected events?

The Russian "Election"

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Q1: Who is Dmitri Medvedev?

Ukraine (English Version)

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The Ukrainian people and their government have accomplished much since regaining independence in 1991—in terms of political and economic reform and in building constructive foreign relations with the West and Russia. The record is impressive, perhaps the most impressive of any state to have emerged from the defunct Soviet Union, with the exception of the Baltic nations.

Ukraine (Ukrainian Version)

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Russia and Eurasia Program Update, December 2007 - January 2008

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

December 2007 - January 2008The Russia and Eurasia Program Update highlights the program's work of the previous months. The update includes: publications, events, media coverage, and announcements.