Russia and Eurasia - Related Publication

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.

Biden in Central Europe

ian — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Q1: Vice President Joe Biden is visiting Poland, Romania, and the Czech Republic this week. What is he seeking to achieve?

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.

Policy Brief Number 4: Kazakhstan’s Contribution to the OSCE Economic Dimension

bbocka — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400

One of the main factors behind the November 2007 decision to award Kazakhstan the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2010 was to recognize the country’s economic achievements and its economic potential.

Policy Brief Number 3: The OSCE Political-Military and Security Dimension

bbocka — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Kazakhstan sought the position of OSCE Chairman-in-Office for a number of reasons, including enhanced security and national prestige. Kazakhstan can only achieve these latter goals if it is an active chairman. The agenda Astana adopts should reflect Eurasia’s multiple security challenges as well as the OSCE’s declining capacity to serve as an effective security organization.

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 Geopolitics of Russian Energy

jdunton — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Russia is a major player in both oil and gas exports, and much of the country's current and likely future economic growth is based on the income these exports will generate, particularly when high market prices prevail. When prices and demand decline drastically as they have recently, dependence on export income becomes a burden.

Policy Brief Number 2: Challenges to the OSCE Chairman-in-Office in 2010

ian — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The major challenge facing Kazakhstan during its chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2010 will be to preserve the mandate of the Offi ce of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which has been contested by Russia and several CIS participating states.

Violence in the North Caucasus

ian — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Violence in Russia’s North Caucasus is on the rise. Since January 2004, CSIS has tracked, almost daily, violent incidents occurring in the North Caucasus. This new report, assembled by our staff, draws on our database. In particular, the report illustrates the rise in incidents during Winter/Spring 2009. As a new feature, this report is available in video format with audio commentary.

Russian Energy Dependency and the Conflicting Interests of Old and New Europe

pfrank — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

When the new democracies of East Central Europe (ECE) were accepted as members of the European Union (EU), there was a widespread expectation among the new democracies that being part of the EU would provide crucial “soft security” in the event that Moscow reverted to more aggressive policies in the region.