News

Top US General: Reports of Russia Offering Bounty to Taliban Not Corroborated Yet; Lavrov Says Russia Doesn’t Benefit From Trade War Between US, China

July 10, 2020
Mark Milley says the reports have yet to be corroborated by defense intelligence agencies, RFE/RL reports; Lavrov at the Primakov Readings said Russia is ready to act as mediator between the U.S. and China; and more in our weekly news round-up.
Analysis

How Improved US-Russian Relations Could Weaken Putin’s Case for Remaining in Kremlin Until 2036

Paul Saunders July 08, 2020 RM Exclusives
A more nuanced understanding of Putin’s possible motives for the amendments to Russia's constitution—and how the U.S. could shape them in its policy toward Russia—could facilitate Russia’s leadership transition rather than hinder it.
Analysis

The Oil Price Crash: Will the Kremlin’s Policies Change?

Tatiana Mitrova July 08, 2020 Partner Posts
The coronavirus pandemic and the steep drop of oil and gas prices may pose a serious challenge to Russia’s economic model. Mitrova argues that current shocks to the Russian energy market could pale in comparison to long-term consequences.
News
Top US General: Reports of Russia Offering Bounty to Taliban Not Corroborated Yet; Lavrov Says Russia Doesn’t Benefit From Trade War Between US, China
July 10, 2020
Analysis
How Improved US-Russian Relations Could Weaken Putin’s Case for Remaining in Kremlin Until 2036
July 08, 2020
Analysis
The Oil Price Crash: Will the Kremlin’s Policies Change?
July 08, 2020
RM Staff Picks
Analysis

Unplugging the Baltic States: Why Russia’s Economic Approach May Be Shifting

Emily Ferris
The probability of Russia resorting to a Crimea-style intervention in the Baltics remains low. As a key energy supplier and major trading partner for the region, Russia has more to gain by using economic levers as opposed to military ones to retain i...
Read More
Blog

Russians’ Approval and Trust for Putin Shows Slight Rebound, Although Still Below Previous Years

RM Staff
Russians’ trust and approval for Vladimir Putin has slightly increased from low points in May and April, although it is still significantly lower than in previous years, according to a new Levada Center poll.
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Analysis

Who ‘Defeated’ ISIS? An Analysis of US and Russian Contributions

Domitilla Sagramoso
There can be little doubt that the U.S. and its allies played a much bigger role in subduing the terror group than Russia. But ISIS has plenty of life in it yet and any alleged victory is fragile.
Read More
Analysis

Stent and Hill on COVID-19 Challenging Putin’s Grip on Power

VOA
Russia experts Angela Stent and Fiona Hill discuss the impact of the coronavirus on the Russian leader as well as on the country's domestic and international positions.
Read More
Analysis

Russia’s Constitutional Amendments Keep Several Futures Open for Putin

Marlene Laruelle
The aim of the amendments is to keep Putin’s—and Russia's—portfolio of possibilities as wide as possible while reinforcing Russia’s sovereignty from the international scene and the country’s self-reliance.
Read More
Analysis

Belton: Russia’s Kleptocracy Is a Tool for Undermining the West

Lynn Berry
Through interviews with key figures, Belton sheds new light on Putin and argues that the kleptocracy of the Putin era was about far more than just lining pockets: It was about buying influence and threatening the West.
Read More
Analysis

The State Department’s Compliance Report Plays the Blame Game, Despite Offering Little Evidence

Matt Korda and Hans M. Kristensen
The report’s publication comes at a critical time, as the Trump administration has spent the past few years—and the past three months in particular—dismantling the last vestiges of U.S. commitments to the international arms control regime.
Read More
Blog

Coronavirus and the Kremlin: Will Putin’s Ratings Keep Falling Through Fall?

Daniel Shapiro
The COVID-19 pandemic has already pushed Vladimir Putin’s approval ratings to historically low levels, and it may be that the ratings of the Russian leader, his government and his party are not done falling just yet.
Read More
Analysis

New Document Consolidates Russia’s Nuclear Policy in One Place

Olga Oliker
Russia’s new nuclear deterrence strategy document confirms that its policy is not “escalate to de-escalate,” but the document isn't likely to put the debate to rest.
Read More
Blog

Experts: US Dual Containment of Russia, China Is Flawed, But Will Continue

RM Staff
Both American and Russian participants at a recent Center for the National Interest event expect the policy to continue, even though all believe it is flawed, and some believe it is unsustainable.
Read More
Nota Bene

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