Republican presidential candidate John McCain published this op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on August 14, 2008.

Stephen Sestanovich, CFR’s top Russia expert,says the fighting between Georgia and Russia is more a “war” than a “conflict,” and could have far-reaching consequences.

Russia's offensive in Georgia, traced in part to bitterness over Kosovo's independence, stirs new concern over a chasm between Moscow and the West.

Although the United States can expect some continuity in Russia’s transition from Vladimir Putin to Dmitri Medvedev, there are uncertainties about factors beyond the new president, that deserve a closer look, writes Jeffrey Mankoff. These include, the ideological preferences of the country’s elites, the interests of important bureaucratic decision-makers, and the ease (or lack thereof) with which Medvedev asserts his authority over these competing factions.

Stephen Sestanovich, CFR's top Russia expert, says that after two months as Russia's new president, Dmitri Medvedev "has not replaced Putin as president. He's only assumed the title."

Henry Kissinger talks about how Russia's policy of assertive intrusion into what Russians consider their own sense of self runs the risk of thwarting both geopolitical as well as moral goals.

Some critics are worried that Moscow is risking another Cold War due to their recent behavior in the former Soviet Union satellite territories.

Russia was not a liberal democracy under Yeltsin, and neither has it reverted to totalitarianism under Putin. But America's long-established religiously inspired concern about "losing" Russia is once more at the centre of debate.

The World Bank presents an economic report on Russia.

McClatchy analysts ask why Sen. John McCain proposed in a March 2008 foreign policy speech to oust Russia from the G-8.

Elizabeth Fuller, an expert on Georgian affairs, says Russia may be promoting joint states as a solution to some frozen conflicts in its sphere of influence.

Russian analyst Andrei A. Piontkovsky says the next U.S. president could face a more conciliatory policy from the Kremlin and new Russian President Dmitri Medvedev.

As the Bush administration presses for greater economic pressure to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Tehran is turning east for economic survival.

Charles A. Kupchan, professor of international affairs at Georgetown University, says the just-concluded NATO summit illustrates the changes taking place in the alliance, where it will become increasingly difficult to reach agreements on issues.

Jeffrey Mankoff argues that “Medvedev’s victory provides an opportunity to turn the page on a difficult chapter in relations between Russia and the United States.”

Dmitri Medvedev handily won Russia’s presidential elections. He stands to inherit an economy on the rise but fraught with potential land mines.

Stephen R. Sestanovich and Charles A. Kupchan discuss the state of the upcoming Russian elections and what the results might mean for the future.

Listen to CFR Senior Fellow Stephen Sestanovich discuss the upcoming presidential elections in Russia and the recent declaration of independence by Kosovo.