Russia Matters

From NATO and Ukraine to the Cold War and history—a round-up of observations about the Russian president.

Ties between Moscow and Riyadh remain fragile. Saudi Arabia’s main concern is Iran, while Russia wants both investment and sway in the Middle East. Balancing their geopolitical and economic interests will not be easy.

A round-up of Jon Huntsman's comments on and connections to Russia.

John Tefft speaks with Russian newspaper about interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions and cooperation on North Korea.

The numbers of U.S. and Russian warheads and delivery systems have continued to decline, undermining earlier speculation that Russia may fail to meet the treaty’s central requirements by Feb. 5, 2018.

Two years ago this month, Russia launched its military intervention in Syria. It's been brutal. But has Russia managed to achieve its goals and defend its interests? Here’s a checklist to help decide.

Russia is not increasing its nuclear arsenal, though some commentators keep saying it is. What's important, however, is to monitor how Russia is modernizing its strategic nuclear forces.

Until 2014 Russia was largely cutting the number of troops on NATO's borders to move them elsewhere. The war with Ukraine changed that, reawakening Moscow to the possibility of a large-scale war on its western front.

Harvard historian Arne Westad examines how the Cold War and its aftermath have led to the current conflict between Russia and the West, as well as the rise of China and a multipolar world order.

Past experience suggests that two conditions must exist for Russia to use military exercises as a cover for foreign military interventions and neither one is in place today.