Latest Articles about Foreign Policy

Military Supplies to Armenia Escalate Tensions in South Caucasus

Executive Summary: Armenia is making moves to distance itself from Russia and reduce economic and military dependence on Moscow through deals with other states, including France, India, and, allegedly, Iran. The expanding military supplies to Armenia are stirring up tensions with neighboring Azerbaijan and threatening... MORE

Armenia Reaches ‘Point of No Return’ in Withdrawal From CSTO

Executive Summary: On July 12, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed that Armenia plans to withdraw from the Russian-dominated Collective Security Treaty Organization. This confirmation follows agreements for Russian border guards to leave Armenia, further moving Yerevan away from Russian influence. For now, Yerevan has... MORE

Prisoner Exchanges and the Prospects for Peace Talks

Executive Summary: The timing of the recent prisoner exchanges between Russia and the West has reawakened notions of negotiating a ceasefire with the Kremlin, though Moscow has shown no willingness to accept Kyiv’s most basic terms. More likely, Russian President Vladimir Putin used the exchanges... MORE

Belarus and Ukraine De-Escalate Military Tensions on the Border

Executive Summary: Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka recently announced that he had conducted backchannel talks with Kyiv to de-escalate military tensions on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. The announcement drew attention from Russian-language media and social networks but was largely disregarded in the West, highlighting some Western countries'... MORE

Türkiye Expands Military and Cultural Influence in Central Asia

Executive Summary: Türkiye is capitalizing on the geopolitical crisis in Eurasia and some post-Soviet states to expand influence through cooperation with Central Asian governments in the form of increased diplomatic involvement and cultural integration. Ankara is also expanding its integration with Central Asian military economies,... MORE

Growing ISKP Threat Pushes Russia Closer to Taliban

Executive Summary: In Russia, the growing threat of the Islamic State in Khorasan (ISKP) has pushed the Kremlin to expand ties with the Afghan Taliban and consider delisting the jihadist organization as a designated terrorist group. ISKP views Russia as a top-tier target due to,... MORE

Russian Intrigues in Middle East Surge

Executive Summary: Russian President Vladimir Putin summoned Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad to Moscow for a secret meeting the same day Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the US Congress, demonstrating Putin’s scramble to maintain influence in the Middle East. Russia’s renewed interest in the Middle... MORE