Russia Matters

At a time when the U.S. and the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union still saw each other as mortal enemies, they found the courage, creativity and capacity for trust to work together in the name of preventing nuclear catastrophe.

Now that the U.S. and Russia have agreed to resume talks on strategic stability, they should begin them as soon as possible in order to prevent a conflict with dire consequences.

The former presidential advisor on national security retained a deep skepticism about Russia’s aims and intentions, even when calling on the U.S. to integrate it into the West.

Some fascinating insights into ordinary Russians’ thinking about nuclear-, biological- and chemical-weapons threats to their country on the new Russia Matters blog.

The U.S. president has left officials in Brussels, Moscow and even Washington guessing whether there has been a fundamental shift in how the White House sees NATO’s focus and mission.

Sadly, at a time when Donald Trump needed coordination with the intelligence community, his actions have undermined its trust. This does not serve U.S. security interests.

Beijing’s giant trade and transit initiative, called One Belt, One Road, symbolizes a shifting balance of global power, and Moscow is casting about for a decent spot in the new order.

Vladimir Putin’s visit to Beijing signals growing Russian support for China’s OBOR initiative and even the far-off prospect of a Sino-Russian alliance. America would be wise to gently pull Moscow from Beijing’s embrace.

While it’s highly unlikely that Russia will return to compliance with the INF Treaty, the U.S. should make every effort to save the agreement by creating three realities that Moscow can’t ignore.

Russia will not necessarily suffer from a Macron victory in France. In fact, if it’s willing to accept a stronger Europe, it may get a bit of the multipolarity and pragmatism it has long sought.