News

If Zelenskiy Boosts Economy, Less Pressure to Resolve Russia Conflict; Russia’s International Isolation Weakens; US Needs to Peel Russia From China

July 22, 2019
Not resolving the Russia conflict may be okay for Zelenskiy if Ukraine's economy improves; a Poroshenko victory wouldn’t have changed the thaw toward Russia; why the U.S. needs to peel Russia from China and more in our latest analytical round-up
Analysis

Esper on Russia: Pentagon Nominee Sees Moscow as ‘Strategic Competitor,’ ‘Potential Adversary’

RM Staff July 17, 2019 RM Exclusives
U.S. Defense Secretary nominee Mark Esper often pairs Russia with China in his remarks, classifying both among America’s biggest security challenges. Now updated with statements from Esper's Senate confirmation hearing.
Analysis

Rival Parties Battle for Votes in Southeast Ukraine

Konstantin Skorkin July 19, 2019 Recommended Reads
The schism in the pro-Russia camp is preventing the return of the political model of two Ukraines, a model that is the perfect breeding ground for politicians who boost their ratings by fanning the flames of the interregional confrontation in the country.
News
If Zelenskiy Boosts Economy, Less Pressure to Resolve Russia Conflict; Russia’s International Isolation Weakens; US Needs to Peel Russia From China
July 22, 2019
Analysis
Esper on Russia: Pentagon Nominee Sees Moscow as ‘Strategic Competitor,’ ‘Potential Adversary’
July 17, 2019
Analysis
Rival Parties Battle for Votes in Southeast Ukraine
July 19, 2019
RM Staff Picks
Analysis

Russia’s FDI Outlook Grim, with No Chinese Rescue in Sight

Nicholas Trickett
Investment in Russia has plummeted for many reasons, both in and out of Moscow’s control. Meanwhile, the country is drifting toward an increasingly closed economy, with interest groups jostling for pieces of the state-funded pie.
Read More
Analysis

How Much Did Orthodox Church Help Revive Russia’s Military and Nuclear Complex?

Dmitry Gorenburg
A highly readable and informative new book by Dmitry Adamsky sheds light on a woefully understudied topic—the relationship between Russia’s Orthodox Church and its military—while raising many questions worthy of further study.
Read More
Analysis

The Osaka Meeting: Is the Tide Turning in US-Russian Relations?

Thomas Graham
The latest meeting of Trump and Putin might mark the beginning of a new stage in bilateral relations, one of more intensive dialogue. Even if it does, rapid progress on any of the many divisive issues of world order, regional conflicts and values is ...
Read More
Analysis

How the US Managed, and Mismanaged, Russia: A Superstar Diplomat Tells His Story

Graham Allison
William Burns’ new book describes his warnings to the Bush administration that pushing for NATO membership for Georgia and Ukraine would spur Moscow to use armed force in the former and to meddle in Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
Read More
Analysis

Optimism for Improved US-Russian Relations Is Necessary, But Should Remain Cautious

Paul Saunders
From Russiagate and bilateral trade to Ukraine and strategic stability, few components of a possible U.S.-Russia agenda provide much ground for optimism.
Read More
Analysis

Jihadists from Ex-Soviet Central Asia: Where Are They? Why Did They Radicalize? What Next?

Edward Lemon, Vera Mironova and William Tobey
Three authors draw on field work and other research to assess the motives, prospects and threats linked to Central Asian jihadists, including the thousands who joined Islamic State and other violent extremists in the Middle East.
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Analysis

What Is the State’s Share in Russia’s Economy?

Nini Arshakuni and Natasha Yefimova-Trilling
While press reports say 70% of Russia’s economy is in state hands, some top experts think it’s closer to 35-45%. They’ve seen a trend of strategic nationalization under Putin and doubt the coming years will bring greater efficiency or competition.
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Analysis

5 Years Since Russia’s Intervention in Ukraine: Has Putin’s Gamble Paid Off?

Simon Saradzhyan
The author analyzes the costs and benefits for Russia, finding that the intervention advanced one vital national interest and damaged several others. The costs have been manageable so far, but may eventually become prohibitive.
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Analysis

Expert Round-Up: How Likely Is a China-Russia Military Alliance?

RM Staff
Dozens of scholars, analysts and officials assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Sino-Russian "comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction."
Read More
Analysis

Kissinger on Russia: Insights and Recommendations

RM Staff
In a newly updated compilation of remarks—including excerpts from Winston Lord's 2019 book—the eminent U.S. statesman offers ways to reconcile America’s necessities with Russia’s concerns.
Read More
Nota Bene
US-Russia Relations: Quest for Stability

Whiskey & Vodka

A new interactive multimedia tool distills the fundamental issues (adversarial and cooperative) that define U.S.-Russia relations. Click to explore "U.S.-Russia Relations: Quest for Stability"!

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