This month’s vote will be the first conducted while Russia is involved in a major war, and Vladimir Putin is counting on a strong show of national unity and highlighting support in occupied Ukraine.

UN gestures aside, Iran cannot be considered a credible partner for a coalition of states seeking to resolve the Syrian civil war, writes CFR’s Ray Takeyh.

The European Union’s divided approach to the mass influx of migrants poses another threat to the goal of binding the continent economically and politically, writes CFR’s Sebastian Mallaby.

The Sochi Olympics have placed a spotlight on the poor global standing of Russia under Vladimir Putin, whose policies are likely to damage relations with the West long after the Games are over, write…

In this Markets and Democracy Brief, CFR’s Mark Lagon argues for a more consistent approach to human rights promotion than the United States has often pursued in the past.