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Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT
November 9 marks the twenty-year anniversary of the opening of the Berlin Wall. With protests in the week prior totaling over one million, refugees were allowed to exit directly through crossing points between East Berlin and West Berlin and all along the border. In the days and weeks to follow the Wall would continue to fall, leading the way for Germany’s reunification. Experts from around the halls of Brookings respond to this historic anniversary.
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Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT
Vice President Biden left Washington early on October 20 for a quick trip to Central Europe, where he will reassure the region of continued U.S. interest and support. Steven Pifer examines the concerns of several NATO member states and offers suggestions for the future of U.S. engagement in the area.
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Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits Moscow this week to meet with her counterpart, Foreign Minister Lavrov. Steven Pifer previews the major issues at the top of their agenda: arms control, the broader Middle East and the work of the U.S.-Russia presidential commission.
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Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT
In this chapter of Fighting Chance, prepared for a September 2007 conference, Steven Pifer assesses potential challenges posed by a more assertive Russia. Pifer examines demographic, societal and economic trends in Russia that could create strategic shocks for the region and world over the next several decades.
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Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT
President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev both see a follow-on agreement to the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty as a top priority in U.S.-Russia relations. Steven Pifer writes that while a post-START treaty should not pose any major obstacles, complex nuclear issues are likely to make this the last “easy” arms control agreement between Washington and Moscow.
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Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT
Steven Pifer joined Bernard Gwertzman to discuss Vice President Joseph Biden's recent trip to Ukraine and Georgia and how it was meant to balance President Barack Obama's Moscow summit earlier in the month.
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Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT
Steven Pifer analyzes the history of Ukraine’s relations with Russia and the West since the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Pifer also addresses Ukraine’s future geopolitical trajectory in the run-up to the country’s presidential elections in
early 2010, and internal problems that will command urgent attention once the political situation in the country stabilizes.
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Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT
Steven Pifer writes that continuing political turmoil in Ukraine and tense relations between Kiev and Moscow have increased the potential for Ukraine to tumble into crisis with Russia. Pifer examines how a crisis may be triggered and offers suggestions how to reduce the chances as well has how to manage one should it occur.
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Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:48:04 GMT
As President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev meet in Moscow, Steven Pifer says the administration is looking for three key outcomes from the meeting: a new treaty to replace START, a cooperative approach for dealing with Iran and Afghanistan, and a structured mechanism to keep their mutual interests on track.
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Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT
Steven Pifer looks toward President Obama's July visit to Moscow where he will meet with President Medvedev of Russia. Pifer outlines three outcomes—including a successor to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty—the U.S. should hope for from the talks.
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Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT
The spread of nuclear weapons is one of the deadliest threats to the human race, and over 30 countries have declared intent to develop nuclear programs. In the wake of a meeting between Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov of Russia, Carlos Pascual and Steven Pifer argue that both countries must breathe new life into the Non-Proliferation Treaty regime to strengthen firewalls against proliferation and curtail weaponization.
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Wed, 06 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT
In April, President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced they would work on a new agreement to limit offensive arms before the START treaty expires in December. On Monday, the first round of talks on a new strategic arms reduction treaty begin in Moscow. Steven Pifer assesses the considerations of both countries and offers suggestions for building a new framework to reduce strategic arsenals.
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Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:20:20 GMT
As NATO celebrates its 60th anniversary, Visiting Fellow Steven Pifer says the alliance has serious business to conduct. President Obama and other alliance leaders will address issues of critical importance including unrest in Afghanistan and Russia’s relationship with its neighbors.
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Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT
Ukraine and Ukrainians will be tested over the course of 2009. Anders Åslund, Jonathan Elkind and Steven Pifer discuss U.S. interests in a successful Ukraine and describe four key challenges currently facing Kyiv. They also offer recommendations for strengthening U.S.-Ukrainian relations and for helping Ukraine to meet these challenges and continue its transformation into a modern, successful European democracy.
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Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT
As the Bush administration came to a close, U.S.-Russian relations had fallen to their lowest point since the collapse of the Soviet Union. In testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Steven Pifer discussed how the Obama administration can engage Russia to meet challenges such as controlling nuclear materials, pressing Iran to forgo nuclear arms, maintaining access to Afghanistan, and countering international terrorism.
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Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT
Steven Pifer comprehensively analyzes Ukraine's difficulties, related to both domestic conditions and foreign policy, and recommends ways for the United States to encourage Ukraine on a path of stability and integration with the West.
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Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT
As the new U.S. president takes office, U.S.-Russian relations are at the lowest level since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. According to Steve Pifer, several unresolved and problematic issues dominate the this relationship. Pifer suggests that the incoming Obama administration seek a balanced approach toward Russia, making clear that Russia must not violate international norms while encouraging Russian cooperation and integration with international institutions.
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Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Steven Pifer believes bids by Ukraine and Georgia for NATO membership action plans (MAPs), though strongly supported by the U.S., are likely to fail. Pifer says involved parties should accept that asking for MAPs in December is a recipe for defeat, but also that NATO should make it clear to Russia it cannot draw new lines through Europe.
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Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT
In an interview with Bernard Gwertzman of Council on Foreign Relations, Steven Pifer said U.S.-Russian relations have "deteriorated significantly" since the Putin-Bush summit of 2002. Pifer believes the current state of relations has not left much in the U.S. diplomatic tool-kit to use against Moscow, and he suggests that the next administration try to return to negotiations on limiting strategic arms.
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Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Steven Pifer spoke before the George Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M to outline Russia's ambitions in the world, and what the U.S. can do to respond. Pifer believes that U.S. policy must be firm and principled, but it must also treat Russia as more of a partner than a problem going forward.
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Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT
The military conflict between Russia and Georgia over two breakaway regions has subsided, but continues on in strained relations between Russia and western powers, including the United States. Carlos Pascual and Steven Pifer propose a 10-point plan to monitor events on the ground in Georgia, mobilize NATO and the UN, and enforce international law.
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Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT
As the conflict between Russia and Georgia continues, Steve Pifer notes that Russia is playing a serious game within the former Soviet space, and that Ukraine must respond by preparing to deal with the issues. Pifer offers several suggestions for Kyiv to reduce its vulnerability to Russian pressure.
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Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Steven Pifer addresses the Bush administration's continued desire to install a missile defense system in Europe to counter Iranian weapon threats. Pifer believes that because Iran has not yet developed a missile capable of reaching all of Europe or the U.S., the program's timetable should be slowed to ensure all interested parties, including Russia, are comfortable with the plans.
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Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Both presidential candidates have stated that they will pursue a return to a nuclear arms control policy which has been in limbo for the last 6 years. Steven Pifer believes such a policy can reduce the threat facing the U.S. in a number of ways and help reestablish a better relationship with Moscow.
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Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Steven Pifer writes that even though the recent NATO summit in Bucharest did not deliver a memership action plan for Ukraine, the outcome of the meeting was positive because NATO leaders said Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance - something that NATO has never said about a country that had not already received an invitation to join.
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Tue, 01 Jan 2002 00:00:00 GMT
Article by Carlos Pascual and Steven Pifer, The Washington Quarterly (Winter 2002)