Latest Articles about Foreign Policy

Moscow Ponders Reconfigured Middle East, Finding Few Openings

Executive Summary: The Kremlin miscalculated the United States’s readiness to support Israel’s air campaign and underestimated the speed of the ceasefire with Iran, underscoring Russia’s diminishing leverage in Middle Eastern conflicts. Russia cannot offer Iran tangible aid despite vocal support, pushing Tehran away from Russia... MORE

Connectivity and Security Drive Russia’s Elevated Ties With Taliban

Executive Summary: Russia’s concerns regarding threats emanating from the Islamic State Khorasan Province and diversions from north-south transit routes have been the driving factors behind Moscow’s rapprochement with the Taliban. Afghanistan and Russia are close to establishing official diplomatic relations, but the Kremlin will likely... MORE

Hungary Courts the Turkic World

Executive Summary: Hungary hosted an informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in May 2025, aiming to strengthen Budapest’s strategic positioning between the East and West, diversify diplomatic alliances, and boost the organization’s regional influence in Eurasia. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is... MORE

Putin’s Preemptive Maneuvering Around NATO Summit is Cut Off

Executive Summary: The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, held on June 18–21, was a showcase of artificial optimism for Russia’s economy, despite most of Russia’s economic sectors outside of the military-industrial complex being in decline. Russian President Vladimir Putin projected optimism about Russia’s economy and... MORE

Russia Continues Conservative Pivot in Arctic (Part Two)

(Part One) Executive Summary: Russian analysts have redefined Arctic dynamics within the framework of a global hybrid war, viewing the region as a contested space of economic, military, and cyber confrontation with the West. Moscow now conceptualizes Arctic competition through five “circles,” ranging from Arctic... MORE

Russia Continues Conservative Pivot in Arctic (Part One)

Executive Summary: In response to what Moscow labels the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s militarization of the Arctic, Russia has significantly restructured its Arctic policies. Russia has expanded the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and enacted symbolic legislative and institutional changes to cement federal control... MORE