Latest Articles about Foreign Policy
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Patriarch-Ilia-II-EDM-January-16-2019.jpg)
Georgian Orthodox Church Opts for Caution Regarding Ukrainian Autocephaly
The main political theme in Georgia in recent days has been the position of the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) regarding the recognition of the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Church. On December 27, the Georgian Patriarchate declared that the Holy Synod—the main decision-making body of the... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Sergei-Lavrov-and-Taliban-members-EDM-January-16-2019-640x428.jpg)
Russia Reacts to US Afghanistan Policy
Russia has opposed the United States’ policy in Afghanistan for years. Indeed, Moscow’s own support for the Taliban, in the form of intelligence sharing and arms transfers, goes back to about 2014 (see EDM, January 6, 2016). Therefore, President Donald Trump’s stated intention to withdraw... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Aliyev-640x376.jpg)
A Year in Review: Azerbaijan Optimizes Its Balanced Foreign Policy in 2018
Azerbaijan saw several important events in 2018—both domestic and external and sometimes interlinked. And a major takeaway from contextualizing the past year has been Baku’s cautious optimization of its existing balanced foreign policy. In particular, when looked at together, the events of 2018 suggest that... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/President-of-Russia-640x395.jpg)
Belarus and Russia Dispute the Fundamentals of Their Relationship
Over the past several months, Belarus has found itself in yet another conflict-in-progress with Russia. As always, it started with a cascade of economic issues, primarily centered on Russia’s so-called oil “tax maneuver” and the financial losses it will incur on Belarus (see EDM, October... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/lukashenka-putin-640x360.jpg)
Belarus’s Sovereignty and Russia’s Brotherly Embrace
In just the month of December 2018, Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Alyaksandr Lukashenka of Belarus met three times: in St. Petersburg on the 6th (see EDM, December 12, 2018) and in Moscow on the 25th and 29th. On the two last occasions, they... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Putin-New-Years-640x427.jpg)
Russia’s Pessimistic Prospects for 2019
Unlike the year before, Russia entered 2019 with low expectations and deepening disappointment in its own faltering revival. In contrast, the World Cup provided a focus for anticipation in 2018, and the presidential elections, pre-determined as the outcome was, raised hopes for increases of pensions... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CELAC-Forum-Jan2018.jpg)
The PRC Bets on Climate Diplomacy in the Caribbean
Climate change has become a central battleground in the PRC’s bid to brand itself as a leading partner and spokesman for the developing world. Beijing has earmarked billions to fund initiatives aimed at reducing carbon, supporting green energy, and promoting climate change resilience across the... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Alyaksandr-Lukashenka-Ilham-Aliyev-640x360.jpg)
The Broader Security Context of Azerbaijani-Belarusian Ties
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev traveled to Belarus on November 19 (see EDM, December 6). During his visit, both governments signed a number of key agreements, including regarding the supply of Belarusian air-defense weapons to Azerbaijan. President Aliyev praised the level of “military-technical cooperation” with Belarus,... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Vladivostok-640x384.jpg)
From ‘Turn to the East’ to ‘Greater Eurasia’: Russia’s Abortive Search for a Far East Strategy
On November 14, Dmitry Peskov the press secretary for the president of Russia, stated, “I am not a supporter of the theory that Russia is making some sort of drift to the East […] these words were said by political scientists… China will not be... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Vladimir-Putin-and-Angela-Merkel-EDM-December-13-2018-640x480.jpg)
Some Lessons From Germany’s Failed Proposal on the Azov Sea and Kerch Strait
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has offered a sanitized account of the failed “Normandy” meeting (Russia, Ukraine, Germany, France) that discussed the crisis in the Azov Sea and Kerch Strait. The meeting was held in Berlin on December 11 in almost complete secrecy (see accompanying article),... MORE