Latest Articles about Foreign Policy
![](/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/chin_artic-ScandAsia.jpg)
China’s ‘Polar Silk Road’ Versus Russia’s Arctic Dilemmas
An article published on October 5 by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) discusses Russia’s strategy in the Arctic region and the evolving role of China therein (Russiancouncil.ru, October 5). Among other points, the piece notes that “the Arctic region is one of the key... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Putin-and-CAR-President-1-1-640x185.jpg)
Moscow’s Neo-Colonial Enterprise Running Into Difficulties in Central African Republic
President Vladimir Putin’s neo-colonial enterprise in the Central African Republic (CAR), one driven by a desire to weaken the West, counter Chinese expansion there, and gain access to gold and uranium in one of the poorest countries on earth (see EDM, May 15, September 4,... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/assets-SCP-640x360.jpg)
South Caucasus Eyes Becoming a Hub Along EU–China Transportation Route
On October 15, the European Union adopted a new strategy on connecting Europe and Asia (Consilium.europa.eu, October 15), which became a major theme at the latest Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit, held in Brussels on October 18–19 (Consilium.europa.eu, October 19). Under this new connectivity initiative, the... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/korets-donbas-640x247.jpg)
Freedom of Navigation at Stake in Sea of Azov: Security Consequences for Ukraine and Wider Black Sea Region
Russia is continuing to implement its “boa constrictor strategy” in the Sea of Azov, aimed at strangling the economy of Ukraine’s littoral areas (see EDM, February 22, April 12, May 22, 31, June 11, 28). The overall situation has sharpened since this spring, when the... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Giuseppe-Conte-and-Vladimir-Putin-Kremlin-October-24-640x360.jpg)
Russia Cannot Bail Out Cash-Strapped Italy, or Pull It Into Its Orbit
Italy and Russia signed 13 deals worth $1.7 billion during last month’s (October 23–24) visit to Moscow by Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte (TASS, La Stampa, October 24). He and Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that the two countries enjoyed solid trade and investment relations,... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Vladimir-Putin-640x535.jpg)
Russia Cannot Count on Political Easing After US Elections
As the furious campaigning in the United States’ 2018 midterm elections enters its final stretch, Russia can probably find some relief in the fact that it has not really come up as a major political issue this year. But at the same time, Moscow is... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Belarusian-language-EDM-November-1-2018.jpg)
The Belarusian Language and the Question of National Identity: What Link?
Three habitual criticisms have long been leveled at Belarus: It is too authoritarian, too close to Russia, and both ills stem from over two decades of uninterrupted rule by President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, “Europe’s last dictator.” “News” stories about his government being on the verge of... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Vladimir-Putin-EDM-November-1-2018-640x363.jpg)
Moscow to Boost Protection of Russians Abroad and Make It Easier for Many to Return
Yesterday (October 31), Russian President Vladimir Putin made two important but potentially contradictory and explosive promises. First, he told the Congress of Russian Compatriots that Moscow will increase its efforts to defend Russians living abroad, something that he hopes will lead to an expansion of... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Patriotic-Youth.jpg)
Russian PMCs, War Veterans Running ‘Patriotic’ Youth Camps in the Balkans (Part Two)
*To read Part One, please click here. The infamous affair involving a Russian “patriotic” youth camp in Zlatibor, Serbia, which was shut down by the local police in August 2018, highlighted Moscow’s growing attempts to spread its “Russian World” (“Russkiy Mir”) ideology to other countries... MORE
![](/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Putin-and-Saudi-King-1-640x340.jpg)
Russia’s Connection to Saudi Arabia Intensifies
Even without the enormous scandal of the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi hit men allegedly operating under state auspices, late October 2018 has been especially eventful for Saudi Arabia. In particular, Riyadh announced two major investments into Russian funds (RT, October 23;... MORE