Russia's pending membership in the World Trade Organization could alter its global economic standing and boost trading partners. But experts say Moscow must restructure its economy to benefit from joining the club.

Russia's December 4 parliamentary vote has prompted mass demonstrations over allegations of electoral fraud. The protests also stem from public frustration with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's decision to run again for president in March. CFR senior fellow Stephen Sestanovich says "[E]ven if the [presidential] election doesn't go against [Putin], there's a potential here for changing the atmosphere and rules of Russian politics in a fundamental way." Listen to Sestanovich as he discusses the elections and public demonstrations.

Frank G. Klotz, Susan J. Koch, and Franklin C. Miller argue that as the United States and Russia continue to reduce long-range, strategic nuclear weapons to increasingly lower levels, a disparity in tactical nuclear weapons has serious implications for the overall nuclear balance between the two countries and the continued efficacy of the U.S. nuclear umbrella for its allies.

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.

The sharp drop in support for the ruling United Russia party in parliamentary elections reflects growing public discontent with Vladimir Putin's decision to seek the presidency again next year, says analyst Maria Lipman.

The Treaty on Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space and of the Threat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects (PPWT) was first proposed by China and Russia in February 2008 as an international legally binding treaty that would outlaw the weaponization of space.

Robert McMahon argues that unresolved conflicts haunting former Soviet states could hold clues to how the region develops in the decades ahead — or doesn't.

This report tracks the foreign investment portfolios of the BRIC governments— Brazil, Russia, India, and China—by looking at reserves holdings and holdings of U.S. assets.

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.

Gregory Feifer discuses how government corruption and radicalization of Islam in the Northern Caucasus are deepening divisions in society and fueling violence in the area.

Joshua Kurlantzick says Europe is turning to emerging economies to help solve its debt crisis, but it's too bad they can't deliver.

Graham Allison and Robert D. Blackwill state, "...Russia matters a great deal to a U.S. government seeking to defend and advance its national interests."

This task force on Russia and U.S. national interests, from Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and the Center for the National Interest, makes the case that Russia remains one of the handful of countries in the world that can deeply affect American national interests, demanding constant U.S. attention.

Mark Lagon argues that President Obama's approach to foreign affairs suggests that
 while the president may be for “soft power,” he is not so sure about America's moral authority to project it.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has been gripped by a devastating population crisis almost unprecedented during peacetime.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin gave these remarks at an interview with Xinhua News in China on October 11, 2011.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Chinese head of state Wen Jiabao gave these remarks on October 11, 2011 during Putin's visit to China.

This report illuminates the current status of China’s security and energy relations with Russia. The authors describe a relationship that is complex and at times fraught with distrust, and which, although potentially promising, is increasingly marred by uncertainties.

Stephen Sestanovich credits Dmitry Medvedev's presidency with changing Russian politics for the better.

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.