Atlantic Community:Tag "Putin"

July 7, 2012 | Europe & Russia: Soft Power, Please

Steffen Buenau: To effectively support the ongoing transformation within Russia, Europe should put to use its most effective “soft power” tool: a relaxation of visa regulations. Such an approach is not only effective with regard to domestic transformation but will also help restore credibility in an area where Russian co-operation is crucial, namely, Syria.

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January 13, 2012 | An International Event Calendar for 2012

Editorial Team: Elections and transfers of power look set to dominate world events in 2012. Will Chinese leadership adopt a more aggressive stance? Will Egypt develop into an Islamist regime? Here is a brief look at these and other events likely to shape the new year. Feel free to share any events you think will also be important.

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November 2, 2011 | October's Best Debates

Editorial Team: Great policy ideas are collaborative, and member comments are a key part of our think tank. Here are some of the best comment debates from the past month, including discussions about Iran’s nuclear intentions, what Libya means to NATO, strategies for better engagement with Russia, and the possibilities of a Eurasian Union.

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October 19, 2011 | The Eurasian Union: A Threat to the New World Order

Elena Georgievna Ponomareva: While the West has been quick to cast Putin’s Eurasian project as a throwback to the Soviet Union, the prospect of functioning Eurasian Union bodes well for security and prosperity in the post-Soviet space and could undermine Western global hegemony.

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October 7, 2011 | Lost Illusions: Dealing With a Stagnant Russia

Dustin Dehez: Despite Russia’s posturing as a resurgent global power, the Russian oil-based economy is vulnerable and the absence of the rule of law stands in the way of any development. Putin’s return to power will further strain Russia’s relations with the West. Now is the time to develop a new approach to Russia.

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November 18, 2009 | Medvedev Sticks to the Script, Almost

Joshua Posaner: Dmitri Medvedev’s second state of the nation address gave observers an indication of the complex relationship at the top of Russian politics. His different approach may appear to be shifting Russia away from ‘Putinism’ and towards reform, but this is all just smoke and mirrors.

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February 19, 2009 | NATO-Russia War: A Possible Scenario

Andreas Umland: In Russia, a virulent form of anti-Americanism is becoming a constituent part of public opinion and foreign policy thinking. Should the current dominant trend in political discourse continue, in the future the world may witness more than a new cold war.

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October 15, 2008 | Stop the Wishful Thinking about Russia

Anna Nadgrodkiewicz: Russia’s authoritarian tendencies will continue to make it a threat to international security. Allowing Russia to define and act within a self-proclaimed sphere of interest will not make anyone safer.

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May 27, 2008 | The Paranoia Card: A comment on Tsygankov's "The Russophobia Card"

Andreas Umland: US “anti-Russian” rhetoric is not that particular. One can hear similar voices in both Western and Eastern Europe. In the unlikely case that Russia becomes a truly democratic country, much of what Andrei Tsygankov laments in his recent article in “The Moscow Times” would simply disappear.

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May 9, 2008 | The Two Towers of Future Russia

Andreas Umland: The rise of Dmitry Medvedev will mobilize the large anti-Western constituency in various sectors of the Russian elite. We may soon observe the emergence of another, different “tower” in the Russian state apparatus around which Moscow’s various nationalist politicians and publicists will unite.

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May 5, 2008 | Gorbachev Number Two: Dmitry Medvedev

Andreas Umland: Sooner or later it is to be expected that Medvedev’s deeper political beliefs – his apparently liberal and democratic views – will come to the fore.

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April 25, 2008 | Outrage Over Nord Stream Deal Seems to Have Died in Germany

David Francis: Why is everyone outside of Germany worried about Nord Stream, while people in Germany seem okay with it? By looking at the United States, it’s apparent that it’s easier to ignore reliance on imported energy than it is to confront the problem.

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April 19, 2008 | Ukraine, NATO, and German Foreign Policy

Andreas Umland: Don’t overestimate Berlin’s statements concerning Russian interests in the former USSR

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November 30, 2007 | Un-predicting the Russian Elections

Alexandros Petersen: I conclude that Putin’s United Russia administration has framed Sunday’s polls as a referendum on his popularity, ensuring extra support for the party. For all of the president’s finagling, however, the only certainty is that his means of retaining power in Russia next year will confound the pundits’ predictions.

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July 27, 2007 | The False Choice between Cold War and Warm Gaslines

Alexandros Petersen: Russia’s recent Cold War-esque behavior is a wake-up call for the transatlantic alliance to overcome internal divisions and strengthen energy routes from the Caspian and Central Asia.

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May 24, 2007 | EU Should Bring Russia Closer

Alexander Rahr: The EU and Russia need more direct and frequent communication to avoid future conflict. Putin’s speech has set off a vicious circle: as Russia increasingly positions itself as an aggressor, the United States and Europe find further reason to ostracize Moscow. The worst the West could do would be to write off Russia in a return to containment policy.

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May 10, 2007 | Missile Defense Means Common Security for Russia Too

Eckart von Klaeden: Europe will soon be vulnerable to medium-range ballistic missiles. The time to act is now. Europe, Germany and NATO must agree on an anti-missile shield to protect against threats from Iran and others.

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Global Must Read Articles

September 14, 2012 | Russia: A Friend When the US is in Need

Both Russia and China abhor the Salafist attack on the US embassy in Libya and both resent intervention to force “regime change”. ++ Yet, while China’s remarks lacked empathy, Russia showed solidarity so as to probe for new thinking in Washington. ++ Russia offers itself as a potential ally because it wants to be taken on equal footing. ++ Putin intends to signal to Obama that they could work

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August 10, 2012 | Politics May Beat Economics in Russia's Oil Industry

With declining output from onshore fields, Russia’s oil industry is at a new crossroad. ++ Russia needs foreign partners, to stimulate competition and help develop offshore fields in its Arctic region. ++ Given that Putin loves politics more than he loves Russia and oil, it is more likely that he will want energy to stay under Kremlin control. ++ Russia will probably follow a suboptimal

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December 6, 2011 | Putin is "Russia's Mubarak"

United Russia’s electoral setback looks much worse considering that even vote suppression and neutered opposition parties could not prevent this result. ++ The writing was on the wall; United Russia was trounced in regional elections in March and Putin’s approval rating continues to fall. ++ Putin can no longer claim popular legitimacy to deflect criticism. ++ If Putin is not inclined

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November 2, 2011 | Russia's Long Road to the WTO

Russia’s 18-year quest to become a member of the WTO may finally be drawing to a close by the end of this year, as Georgia gave its consent under US and EU pressure. ++ The biggest barrier to admission into the WTO, however, lies within Russia in the face of Vladimir Putin. ++ In the past, Putin has consistently thwarted the negotiation process in its final stages. ++ While Russian exporters

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September 28, 2011 | Russia Will Maintain Status Quo With Western Partners

The West should not expect any major changes in Russian foreign policy upon Putin’s return to the Kremlin. ++ Russia will continue to enforce its present agreements and maintain a pragmatic partnership with the US and Europe. ++ Putin’s rhetoric may resonate with Soviet nostalgia, but Russia will remain committed to expanding commercial ties with the West. ++ The upcoming power shuffle will not

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September 26, 2011 | Russia Reveals Its True Face

Vladimir Putin’s return to the presidency removes the illusion of any real political competition in Russia. ++ As president Putin is likely to aggravate relations with Russia’s neighbors and do little to tackle rampant corruption domestically. ++ This could be a major setback to Russian-American relations, which appeared to have improved slightly during Medvedev’s tenure. ++ The US and Europe

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January 11, 2011 | Kremlin Overreacting to Opposition Threat

The arrest of opposition figures Limonov and former Russian Prime Minister Nimzov reveal the government’s nervousness with regard to the threat posed by the opposition to its power. ++ Falling fossil fuel prices are putting the Putin system under pressure. ++ The government realizes that the second half of 2011 is set to remind Russians most unfortunately of the early 1990s with high prices

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June 1, 2009 | Democratization of Belarus Vital for Europe

The US and the EU must take a coordinated approach when trying to bring around reform in “Europe’s last dictatorship,” Belarus, which will be a slow and tough process. ++ The US should consider lifting sanctions only on the basis of strict conditionality. ++ Belarus must be pressured to have more independent media, to investigate the cases of missing dissidents, and to end the practice of jailing

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February 23, 2009 | Obama, If You Play with Fire You Get Burned

Hit hard by the financial crisis, now is no time for Russia to make enemies and the Kremlin should be content that Obama opted for an extended-hand diplomacy. ++ Yet, “even if Medvedev goes for detente, he may not be able to deliver it: “policy is still dictated by Putin who is eager to convince the world that Russia is back. ++ Thus, Obama’s openness is a sign of hope but also of great

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February 6, 2009 | In Munich, Testosterone Rules the World

The Munich Conference on Security Policy needs renewal. ++ In 2007 Putin declared the end of unipolarity here. ++ This year NATO seeks discreet dialog with Russia, but the focus will be on the seating of US and Iranian delegations. ++ The first contact between them for three decades may take place over dinner. ++ “You only see old men there,” says a female NATO diplomat. ++ The conference

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February 5, 2009 | Russians Must Reject New Cold War

The recent gas crisis is remarkably reminiscent of the Cold War in the sense of fear, insecurity and intimidation which it evoked. ++ Inciting such feelings in one’s adversaries is the typical obsession of a tyrannical regime. ++ Putin and Medvedev, presiding over a state which is at face value normal, are betraying the signs of such an obsession. ++ Modern-day Russians should steer well

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February 4, 2009 | Curbing Russian Anti-Westernism

The fragility of Putin’s Russia has been exposed by the financial crisis, making the need for new rules of engagement between it and the West all the more necessary. ++ Anti-westernism is rife and the West has surely played its part in this. ++ Economic growth under Putin has also created a confused correlation between anti-westernism and success. ++ But the harsh response from the EU to

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January 30, 2009 | Davos: Towards Unity or Towards Division?

Davos’ opening speeches have highlighted the opposing attitudes of the two orators. ++ They share only one thing in common, the target audience of their words: the absent USA ++ Putin heavily criticized the US for being the source of the crisis whilst China’s Wen Jiabao only indirectly alluded to it, instead stressing the importance of collaborating with the Obama administration to find a way

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January 22, 2009 | Putin and Chavez: Partners In Crime

President Chavez and PM Putin are “enjoying a burgeoning friendship,” finding common ground in their oppression of dissidents and the violent crime ruling their cities. ++ Their regimes do little to tackle the pervasive murder of political objectors and journalists; instead, the citizenry is faced with “a leviathan cloaked in the misappropriated vocabulary of democracy.”

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January 16, 2009 | 2009: End of the Putin System?

Rapid triumph after the South Ossetian August war and oil barrel prices reaching the stars seem to be no more than distant memories for the Kremlin. ++ The financial crisis has hit Russia hard: aside from making oil prices fall under $40 in December, it has put the entire Putin system on the edge of collapse. ++ Despite no longer being President, PM Putin is still the big man of the country;

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October 31, 2008 | Mr. Putin, Your Economy is Showing

Commodity prices are falling, Western credit has dried up, and Russia has failed to diversify its economy. ++ Russia’s dazzlingly successful economy turned out to be just make-believe. ++ Despite the professionalism of the finance ministry’s rescue plan, Putin does not see the need to make that consistent with his foreign policy. ++ He can no longer assume Russia’s energy power

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June 19, 2008 | US Paints a False yet Alarming Picture of Russia

The USA is not performing the transition to conventional weapons, which was meant to lessen the country’s dependence on nuclear weapons for defense. ++ US politicians and media are using the claim that Russia is boosting its military spending to justify the maintenance of the American nuclear arsenal. ++ Yet, even Russian generals are talking about the “weakness of Russia’s nuclear

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June 12, 2008 | Division of Power Shifting in Russia

Whatever Putin and Medvedev said, there is no doubt that the transfer of power towards Moscow’s White House has begun. ++ The head of the presidential administration has called for a change to the Constitution, with the purpose of strengthening the role of the government. ++
According to his proposal, the number of subjects with the right to introduce bills in the Duma should be reduced. ++ If

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June 9, 2008 | German-Russian Friendship: A Dangerous Assumption

While Medvedev “struck a friendly pose in Berlin,” future action or lack of thereof will be the true test of Russian-German relations. ++ Germany must be careful to avoid becoming “a mouthpiece of Russian interests” and hurting its relations with other Western powers. ++ Russia’s newfound confidence will affect all of its partners and its new leader is unlikely to make significant changes to

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May 7, 2008 | Medvedev Faces Off with Putin to Bring Change

Former Yeltsin supporters are rallying around Medvedev in the hope of setting Russia on a new, more reconciliatory course with the West. ++ After years of symbolic resistance and support of anti-American regimes, Medvedev wishes to cut down on corruption and hard-line policies vis-à-vis its regional neighbors. ++ His biggest challenge is Putin. ++ The coming months will reveal if Medvedev

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May 5, 2008 | Can Medvedev Sustain Russia's Growth?

President-elect Dmitry Medvedev realizes that high economic growth cannot be sustained as long as Russia relies primarily on macroeconomic policy and rising oil prices, and inequality and corruption remain widespread. ++ His rhetoric suggests that he will seek to encourage entrepreneurship, empower civil society, and create an independent judiciary in order to diversify the economy and combat

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March 27, 2008 | Medvedev Will Not Bring Change to Russia

Medvedev will not transform a system created by his mentor, to which he contributed, and thanks to which he enjoys uncontested primacy. ++ Only economic difficulties and hostility to the intended modernization could bolster conservative opposition and result in change. ++ Russia’s political future will depend on the executive team’s ability to sustain growth, but liberalization remains unlikely.

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March 21, 2008 | The West and the Rise of New Russia

Nothing opposes Yeltsin’s and Putin’s terms in office more strikingly than their interpretation and understanding. ++ The West’s demonization of Putin is in stark contrast with high levels of consent and popularity at home. ++ The West should not expect Russia to follow a western agenda, impose its model or militarily contain the country, but let this emerging democracy take a course that suits

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February 29, 2008 | Dmitry Medvedev Faces an Unpalatable Legacy

The Russian economy is weaker than it appears. Inflation is in double figures and high growth has been dependent on commodity prices. ++ Furthermore political stability rests on a perversion of the meaning of democracy, and the Caucasus is more troubled than ever. ++ Mr. Medvedev may differ from his predecessor but if he is going to solve these issues, power sharing with Mr.Putin will not make

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December 17, 2007 | Moscow Wants to Weaken the OECD

Moscow and other member governments have split over the role of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OECD), according to Richard Weitz of World Politics Review. The organization, that seeks to promote the rule of law, human rights, and democratic values recently gave up the observation effort on Russia’s parliamentary elections following heavy restrictions from the

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October 31, 2007 | Leon Aron Dissects Putin's Alternatives in his Quest to Hold on to Power

Op-Ed Contributor to the New York Times Leon Aron insists Russia’s premiership does not provide Mr. Putin access to wide-ranging presidential powers, and explores Putin’s prospects of retaining the presidential post. On the base of Putin’s contradictory record, neither President Bush nor White house contenders would be able to formulate a coherent Russia policy based on

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August 27, 2007 | Die Zeit's Joffe on World Series Time for Merkel

Angela Merkel’s leadership style thus far has resembled that of Otto von Bismarck, Europe’s “honest broker” in the late 1870’s. But with new leaders in power in France and Britain, the real diplomatic test is still ahead, argues Josef Joffe. The publisher-editor of the influential German weekly Die Zeit writes that it remains to be seen whether Merkel can moderate diverging

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April 26, 2007 | Russian Energy Pressure Fails to Unite Europe

In 2006, Russia cut off gas supplies to Ukraine and Georgia, indicating that Moscow is prepared to use energy resources to exert political power over Europe. Keith C. Smith of CSIS writes that, though European leaders initially showed unified opposition to Moscow’s power play, there have since been few tangible indications of new EU policies which would protect against future Russian

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April 12, 2007 | Anna Arutunyan on the Myth of Authoritarian Russia

Western media characterizations of Russia as an authoritarian or even totalitarian state are untrue, argues Anna Arutunyan. The Moscow News editor sets out two reasons why Putin’s Russia defies Western perceptions: first, the reestablishment of authoritarian rule in Russia is a simplification on the part of Western journalists, who draw much of their information from oppositional sources.

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