What Putin Gets About Soft Power
(Co-authored by Kinga Niemcyzk) Much of the commentary on Russia’s recent annexation of the Crimea has focused on Russia’s hard power—its geo-political designs in the so-called near abroad, ostensible security…
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Baev: Does the Kremlin have the “guns” and “guts” to keep pursuing neo-imperial ambitions?
(National Review – "Western Policy, Post-Crimea") By all accounts, Vladimir Putin appears to be winning. Over the past month, Russia’s wily president has managed to orchestrate the asymmetric invasion of…
Marten: Being shut out from Russian market actually improved quality of Georgian wines
(Time – "Moscow Says Bottoms Up for Crimean Wine") Following Russia’s recent annexation of southern Ukraine, Crimean wineries are optimistic that the change in political leadership will help their businesses. But…
The Sochi Olympics and Russian National Identity
A great deal has already been written on the importance that Russian President Vladimir Putin attached to successfully staging the Winter Olympics in Sochi. The consensus among domestic and foreign…
After Crimea: Putin’s Balance Sheet
When it comes to foreign policy, Russia is good at sprinting, while the West – and especially the EU – is better at marathons. The use of kinetic military force by Moscow is…
Obama’s Quiet Offensive
(Project Syndicate) (Co-authored with Lee Feinstein) The most significant outcome of US President Barack Obama's visit to Europe last week was his announcement that the United States and its European…
China: Neither Ally nor Enemy on Russia
(National Interest) (Co-author: Ely Ratner) At a March 24 press briefing, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes described the U.S. government’s diplomatic strategy in responding to Moscow’s annexation…
Does Obama Really Understand Putin?
(CNN) I recall being an undergraduate in Russian Studies at Amherst College when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December 1979. I was flabbergasted when then-President Carter initially expressed surprise…
Crimea: Putin’s Olympic Diversion
“Diversionary war” is a term used by scholars to describe an international conflict launched for domestic political reasons, rather than for real security or geopolitical motives. War, from this perspective,…
To strengthen claims on Crimea, Russia and Ukraine woo Crimean Tatars
Russia’s annexation of Crimea is rapidly becoming the new reality on the ground. But the battle for Crimea is not over, even if this battle will be waged not with…