UPCOMING EVENT
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Washington, DC
The issue of strategic nuclear arms reductions now tops the U.S.-Russia agenda, particularly as the countries strive to conclude a new nuclear arms agreement to replace the Strategic Arms Reductions Treaty, which expires on December 5. On November 24, the Center on the United States and Europe at Brookings will host Ambassador Mamedov for a conversation on the experiences and lessons learned from U.S.-Russian arms control efforts in the 1990s. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Clifford G. Gaddy and Barry W. Ickes, November 11, 2009, The Brookings Institution
When Putin took power in 2000, he established a protection deal among powerful business owners. Clifford Gaddy and Barry Ickes discuss the intricacies of this arrangement and what message a recent suit against one of the country’s leading business newspapers is meant to send. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Munkh-Ochir Dorjjugder, October 20, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Since its peaceful Democratic Revolution in the early 1990s, Mongolia’s national security strategy has evolved through three phases and is now entering a fourth. Munkh-Ochir Dorjjugder writes that the theme of balancing external actors to ensure sovereignty and security remains the same, but that Mongolia is now adding economic and human elements to its approach to security. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, October 20, 2009, The Brookings Institution
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. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Brent Scowcroft, Joseph Nye, Nicholas Burns and Strobe Talbott, October 13, 2009, Politico
Ten years ago, the U.S. Senate rejected the comprehensive test ban treaty (CTBT), setting back efforts to reduce the world's stockpiles of nuclear weapons. Brent Scowcroft, Joseph Nye, Nicholas Burns and Strobe Talbott offer the Obama administration their counsel on how to build support for a revised CTBT and a new strategic arms reduction treaty with Russia. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, October 12, 2009, The Brookings Institution
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. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, October 01, 2009, Potomac Books, Inc.
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. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, September 28, 2009, Current History
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. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vanda Felbab-Brown, September 25, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Afghanistan's drug economy needs urgent attention, but it also needs a smart policy. Emphasizing rural development and legal livelihoods while interdicting drug traffickers and reducing demand worldwide are the best options, says Vanda Felbab-Brown. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Strobe Talbott, September 20, 2009, Financial Times
President Obama's decision to rethink and revamp the plan for Poland-based defenses against Iranian missiles was met with some criticism at home and in Eastern Europe for giving too much to Russia. However, argues Brookings President Strobe Talbott, the new strategy is a pragmatic step to counter Iran's real short-range missile threat, strengthens the transatlantic alliance, and better serves the goals of U.S.-Russian strategic arms reduction. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Justin Vaïsse, September 01, 2009, Le Figaro
Justin Vaïsse lays out the delicate international issues that await President Obama in the fall. He concludes none of them holds any promise of easy resolution, and the principles on which Obama founded his foreign policy will be severly tested. (French) Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, July 24, 2009, Council on Foreign Relations
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. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
9:30 AM to 3:45 PM
Washington, DC
On July 15, the Center on the United States and Europe and the Energy Security Initiative at Brookings hosted leading experts from Turkey, Russia and Europe for a conference focusing on Turkey’s and Russia’s roles in European energy security and the role of energy in shaping cooperation and stability in neighboring regions. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, July 15, 2009, Eurasian Geography and Economics
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.
Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Steven Pifer, July 06, 2009, Council on Foreign Relations
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. Read More