Stephen Sestanovich
George F. Kennan Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies
Expertise
Russia and the former Soviet Union; Caucasus and Central Asia; U.S. foreign policy.
Programs
Europe Program
Featured Publications
See more in Russian Fed., Iran, Energy Security, Public Diplomacy
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The passage of a new trade bill that takes aim at Russia's human rights record could complicate the Obama administration's efforts to improve U.S-Russian relations, says CFR's Stephen Sestanovich.
See more in Russian Fed.
Stephen Sestanovich offers a rebuttal to Leslie H. Gelb's reading of the Cuban missile crisis.
See more in Cuba, United States, U.S. Strategy and Politics, Foreign Policy History
The trial of a punk band in Russia reflects the Putin regime's hard-line opinions on political dissent, and those views are shaping its foreign policy, says CFR's Stephen Sestanovich.
See more in Russian Fed., Culture and Foreign Policy
Vladimir Putin's Middle East trip was an effort to explain policies on Iran and Syria that have put it at odds with Israel and many Arab states, says CFR's Stephen Sestanovich.
See more in Russian Fed., Middle East, Diplomacy
Vladimir Putin's third term as Russia's president could be characterized by greater political competition and middle-class opposition domestically, along with mixed relations with the United States, says CFR expert Stephen Sestanovich.
See more in Russian Fed., Elections, U.S. Strategy and Politics
Vladimir Putin's reelection as president raises concerns over domestic reforms and relations with Washington. Russia's future will be determined by Putin's handling of opponents and whether opposition forces can build a viable political force, says CFR's Stephen Sestanovich.
See more in Russian Fed., Elections
The mass protests in Russia challenging the parliamentary vote reflect increasing hostility to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and have the potential to change Russian politics in a fundamental way, says CFR's Stephen Sestanovich.
See more in Russian Fed., Elections, Political Movements
Russia's accession to the WTO can boost U.S. exports to the country, but the U.S. Congress will have to graduate Russia from Cold War-era trade legislation, says CFR's Stephen Sestanovich.
See more in Russian Fed., Economics, WTO
Stephen Sestanovich credits Dmitry Medvedev's presidency with changing Russian politics for the better.
See more in Europe/Russia, Central/Eastern Europe, Russian Fed., Democracy Promotion, Culture and Foreign Policy
The potential return of Vladimir Putin to Russia's presidency is viewed by many in the country as "a step backwards," says CFR's Stephen Sestanovich, and could reignite a more acerbic tone with Washington.
See more in Russian Fed., Elections
Stephen Sestanovich testifies before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee that, though the U.S. and Russia restored broadly cooperative ties after 2008, the relationship is marked by lingering frustration and even friction.
See more in Russian Fed., Human Rights, Arms Control and Disarmament, Public Diplomacy
At their meeting in Deauville May 25, Russian President Medvedev and U.S. President Obama remained stalled on missile defense cooperation and Russia's bid to join the WTO, says CFR's Stephen Sestanovich.
See more in Russian Fed., Proliferation
Stephen Sestanovich discusses what the situation in Egypt means for the future of U.S. foreign policy.
See more in Middle East, Egypt, U.S. Strategy and Politics
Stephen Sestanovich discusses the conventional wisdom surrounding the erosion of American power.
See more in United States
The NATO summit in Lisbon today occurs in a climate of warmer U.S.-Russia relations, with Russia seeking ways to cooperate with the alliance on missile defense and Afghanistan, says CFR expert Stephen Sestanovich.
See more in United States, Russian Fed., International Peace and Security
Stephen Sestanovich says there is an upside to Dmitri Medvedev's firing of Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov.
See more in Russian Fed., Democratization
Stephen Sestanovich comments on the "short war" within every long war fought by the United States.
See more in Afghanistan, Vietnam, Wars and Warfare, U.S. Strategy and Politics
Stephen Sestanovich discusses Russian president Dmitri Medvedev's recent visit to the United States.
See more in United States, Russian Fed.
CFR's Stephen Sestanovich says Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's meetings in Silicon Valley represent the most interesting development of his U.S. trip, which culminates with a Washington summit where a host of issues will be discussed, including the new START treaty.
See more in United States, Russian Fed., Proliferation
Russia's inaction in response to Kyrgyzstan's ethnic violence reflects a deeper problem with international cooperation, writes CFR's Stephen Sestanovich.
See more in Central Asia, Russian Fed., Conflict Prevention
Contact/Media Information
Location
Washington, District of Columbia
Media Bio
CFR George F. Kennan Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies
Email
ssestanovich@cfr.org
Phone
+1.202.509.8454
Downloads
Research Associate