Russia & Eurasia

Latest Articles

US-Azeri Relations- Aliev's Dangerous Game

By Murad Gassanly, 2nd July 2010

By undermining US interests Aliev risks far more than Washington's ire

Continued Decline of Democratic Rights in Central Asia

By Sherri Whitehead, 15th March 2010

Russia in 2010 - An Appraisal

By Sir Anthony Brenton, Elena Tregubova, Charles Grant, Gisela Stuart MP, 4th March 2010

'Russia Today: The Real Story'

By By William Browder, 26th November 2009

The Poor State of Kazakh Democracy and the Case for a Revived OSCE

By Camilla Hagelund, 25th November 2009

In less than two months autocratic Kazakhstan will resume the chair of a forum mandated with the protection of liberal democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Does this constitute a moment of hope for the revival of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or does it presage the Organisation's final demise?

"Missile Defence and Russia's Security Chess Game"

By Janusz Bugajski, 13th October 2009

The Recovery of Turkish-Armenian Rapprochement

By Camilla Hagelund, 24th September 2009

An examination of recent developments in the delicate diplomacy between Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Russia in the Middle East: Progress or Strategy Change-Up

By Martin Kite-Powell, 26th August 2009

Russia and Israel have shared a long and uncomfortable history both during and after the Cold War. Furthermore, Russia under Putin continues to arm states like Iran. But is this changing?

Russian Centre-Periphery Relations in Flux

By Camilla Hagelund, 18th August 2009

The trends towards rifts between centre and periphery are ill omens for the stability of the Russian Federation as they collectively point to demands for - at best - decentralisation, or at worst, disintegration.

A Moldovan Alliance for European Integration

By Camilla Hagelund, 14th August 2009

The recent election has yet again produced a divided parliament; a troubling perspective for Europe's poorest country with a population divided between a pro-Russian and a pro-European sentiment and a disintegrating economy.

The Tulip that Never Bloomed

By Camilla Hagelund, 23rd July 2009

The 2005 Kyrgyz presidential election was deemed generally free and fair; the first ever Central Asian election to receive such praise. Sadly, the upcoming presidential election will epitomise Kyrgyzstan’s regression into outright authoritarianism.

Realities Obama Should Consider When Negotiating with Russia

By Martin Kite-Powell, 17th July 2009

There has been much news about the recent US Russia summit in Moscow, including talk of future agreements to further reduce the nuclear arsenals of the two countries. However, has Russia departed from its Soviet past in keeping the treaties it signs?

Russian Realities: should we be resetting relations?

By Boris Nemtsov (First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation on 1997, outspoken critic of Putin and the co- founder of the Union of Right Forces), 22nd June 2009

The discussion covered Russia's internal and external challenges, including the trial of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and murders of other journalists and dissidents like Anna Politskaya and Alexander Litvinenko, the economic crisis, Russian foreign policy, the 2012 Russian presidential elections and 2014 Olympic in Sochi.

Russia A Year On - Testing Medvedev's Democratic Credentials

By By Robin Shepherd, Vladimir Bukovsky and Akhmed Zakaev, Gisele Stuart, 2nd June 2009

By kind invitation of Gisela Stuart MP, the Henry Jackson Society hosted a discussion with Robin Shepherd (Director of International Affairs at the Henry Jackson Society), Vladimir Bukovsky (Russian dissident and human rights activist) and Akhmed Zakaev (Prime Minister of the resistance Government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria). The panellists and host discussed a wide range of subjects, from Russian human rights to foreign and domestic policy with particular emphasis on Chechnya’s past, present and future. Akhmed Zakaev

Time to Break the Stalemate

By Camilla Hagelund, 1st June 2009

Georgian politics has been paralysed for months by a stalemate between government and opposition. With moderate opposition forces now signalling to the West that they are prepared to modify their demands, it is perhaps time for the EU and the US to engage more fully in assisting the negotiation process.

An Exchange of Expulsions: Is it the Same Old Russia?

By Tom Hashimoto, 16th May 2009

As Russia promised a "harsh and decisive" response to the expulsion of two Russian NATO-diplomats, speculation circulated around the US and Europe about how Russia would, and whether it would Russia walk away from NATO once again.

Turkish-Armenian rapprochement at an impasse

By Camilla Hagelund, 16th May 2009

The impasse in Turkish-Armenian rapprochement can be explained by Turkey's failure to keep these negotiations parallel to negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, in part caused by unseemly American interference - direct or indirect.

A Russian Crisis-Exploiting Strategy

By Camilla Hagelund, 15th April 2009

Putin and the Russian energy sector are pursuing a crisis-exploiting strategy to increase their clout in the European energy market. The strategy, however, is flawed and Europe should exploit the cracks to secure the realisation of the Southern Corridor.

A Moldovan election and its ramifications

By Camilla Hagelund, 31st March 2009

As the only CIS country with free and fair elections, the electorate's judgment in the upcoming parliamentary election of their politicians will carry actual weight and set the future course of Moldovan politics.

The Flawed Debate on NATO Enlargement

By Camilla Hagelund, 16th March 2009

The continuing debate over NATO enlargement towards the East misses two critical points: inaction in the determination of the Alliance's both identity and direction, and the reluctance to clearly deleniate the West-Russia relationship.

Missile Shield Plans Revisited

By Tom Hashimoto, 6th March 2009

Obama's offer to cancel plans for a missile shield in Europe is a logical and pragmatic step, which will help future negotiations with Russia.

The Manas airbase debacle

By Camilla Hagelund, 18th February 2009

Rethinking the northern transit network after threats of eviction from the Manas air base.

Russia & Georgia - The problem Europe would rather forget?

By Salome Zourabichvili, 20th January 2009

Prospects for Nabucco in the face of the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute

By Camilla Hagelund, 9th January 2009

The unfolding Russia-Ukraine gas dispute serves to highlight the financial troubles of Gazprom and Russia. With this in mind the EU should now push forward the Nabucco pipeline project in order to free Europe from its energy dependence on Russia.

Gas cut-off will cost Russia

By Marcel Thach, 7th January 2009

Russia's decision to cut off Ukraine's gas supply is a rash response to a deteriorating domestic financial situation.

Streamlining for Success?: Russian military reforms and their potential application

By Adam Boon, 6th November 2008

The West should remain vigilant about Russian intentions post Georgia War, particularly given the nature of Russian military reforms

Consequences of the Russia-Georgia war on the Western approach to Transcaucasia

By Camilla Hagelund, 10th September 2008

The Russia-Georgia war presents an opportunity for the West to readdress its policy towards the Caucasus and to engender support from Caucasian states as Azerbaijan and Armenia. By supporting Turkish efforts for conflict resolution in the Caucasus and by possibly extending security guarantees to these countries, the West could promote its aim of energy supplies free of Russian and Iranian influence.