Russia and Central Asia

Must Read

The New Republic: What Really Scares Vladmir Putin the Most

Author: Julia Ioffe

"'[Putin's] worldview is that the world is in such a chaotic, incomprehensible state, that all attempts to influence it with direct action are counterproductive and only bring the opposite of the intended result,' says Fyodor Lukyanov, the editor of Russia in Global Affairs, who is seen as a good decoder of the Kremlin's thinking. Furthermore, the trope of U.S. obligation to do this or enforce that is more than galling to Putin, Lukyanov says. It is incomprehensible."

See more in Russian Federation; Politics and Strategy

Op-Ed

Why It's a Mistake to Ignore Russia

Author: Carla Anne Robbins
Bloomberg.com

Carla Robbins argues that ignoring the Kremlin and putting current U.S.-Russia relations on pause is not an option worth pursuing. She stresses the importance of publicly warning Russia of the damage done to its global reputation through current policies, and the need to engage with Russia in areas of common interest, such as Iran.

See more in Russian Federation; Politics and Strategy; United States

Ask CFR Experts

What can be done to improve relations between the United States and Russia, given recent problems with the “reset”?

Asked by Brian Runyon, from United States

The current nasty atmosphere between Russia and the United States goes beyond one or two disputed issues and will be difficult to improve. There have been regular spikes of tension in the U.S.-Russia relationship for the last fifteen years, and they will likely continue.

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See more in Russian Federation; United States; Politics and Strategy

Ask CFR Experts

How does Russia challenge U.S. diplomatic efforts in the Middle East?

Asked by Elias El Mrabet, from Universite Libre de Bruxelles

Russia today may have less influence in the Middle East than previously, but it continues to have a stake in the region's stability and sees it as an area in which it has important national interests, often at variance with U.S. goals and objectives.

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See more in Middle East and North Africa; Syria; Russian Federation; Diplomacy and Statecraft