Inside the petro-fueled naval military buildup you've never heard of: It's Russia versus Iran, with three post-Soviet states -- and trillions of dollars in oil -- in the middle.

Russia's savvy president isn't trying to start a new Cold War, he's just waiting to see what happens in November, writes Andrew S. Weiss for Foreign Policy.

President Obama and Russian president Putin gave this joint statement on June 18, 2012.

John Lewis Gaddis, author of George F. Kennan: An American Life, discusses the diplomatic and personal legacy of George F. Kennan, former U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union.

This meeting is part of a series hosted with the National History Center featuring prominent historians who will examine the events and times that shaped foreign policy as we know it today.

John Lewis Gaddis, author of George F. Kennan: An American Life, discusses the diplomatic and personal legacy of George F. Kennan, former U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union.

This meeting is part of a series hosted with the National History Center featuring prominent historians who will examine the events and times that shaped foreign policy as we know it today.

The weekend massacre near Houla that has galvanized international outrage may spark a stronger Russian stand against the Assad regime, says Syria expert Mona Yacoubian.

Leonid Kishkovsky, director of external affairs and interchurch relations for the Orthodox Church in America, leads a conversation on the relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Kremlin, and the standing of religious minorities in Russia.

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.

Russian Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov talks finance policy for the next government of Russia, including budgetary and fiscal issues and priorities for APEC and G20 in 2012.

This meeting was part of the C. Peter McColough series on International Economics.

Russian Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov talks finance policy for the next government of Russia, including budgetary and fiscal issues and priorities for APEC and G20 in 2012.

This meeting was part of the C. Peter McColough series on International Economics

The emerging BRICS economies agree that the West should hold less sway in the global economy. But their leaders, despite regular summits, have failed to articulate a coherent vision because of divergent interests, says journalist Martin Wolf.

Leaders of the BRICS countries (Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China, and South Africa) made this declaration at the fourth BRICS Summit in New Delhi on March 29, 2012.

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.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin won Russia's presidential election on March 5, 2012 with almost 64 percent of the vote, according to preliminary results. Charging violations at the polls, protestors rallied in downtown Moscow. Listen to CFR senior fellows Charles Kupchan and Stephen Sestanovich discuss the outcome of the elections, Russia's future, and U.S.-Russia relations.

Masha Gessen, journalist and author of The Man Without A Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin, and Stephen Sestanovich, CFR's George F. Kennan Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies, discuss Russia's March 4 election and ongoing public discontent.

Twelve years after his first election, Vladimir Putin is becoming president of Russia again, but the country is much harder to control now, says this article from the Economist.

Vladimir Putin is expected to regain Russia's presidency despite a surge in public disapproval. Unknown is whether the vote will trigger widespread domestic protest or spur a downturn in Russia's relations with Washington.

On the eve of the Russian elections, Masha Gessen, journalist and author of The Man Without A Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin, and Stephen Sestanovich, CFR's George F. Kennan Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies, sat down to discuss Putin's strategy and public response.

On the eve of the Russian elections, Masha Gessen, journalist and author of The Man Without A Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin, and Stephen Sestanovich, CFR's George F. Kennan Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies, sat down to discuss Putin's strategy and public response.

Ahead of the Russian presidential elections on March 4, Leon Aron, Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr., and Stephen Sestanovich assess recent demonstrations of public discontent in the Russian streets and discuss the future of the country, its leaders, and U.S.-Russia relations.