Latest Articles about Foreign Policy

Georgians May Lose Visa-Free Travel to the European Union
Executive summary: Georgia may soon lose its visa-free travel to the European Union due to the country’s democratic backsliding, triggering widespread domestic and diplomatic reactions. Georgian opposition leaders support maintaining visa-free travel for citizens while urging the European Union to impose direct sanctions on the... MORE

Russia Attempting to Shape Future of Iran’s Nuclear Program
Executive Summary: Russia has offered to mediate U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations, positioning itself as a helpful intermediary with clear interests in securing benefits from any potential agreement. Moscow’s involvement in Iran’s nuclear talks would enhance its influence in the nuclear weapons supply chain through proposals to... MORE

Comparing and Contrasting Western Peace Frameworks for Russia-Ukraine War
Executive Summary: Two framework plans on how to end Russia’s war against Ukraine have been submitted by the United States and collectively by France, Germany, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. The quadripartite plan marks the first entry of Western European governments into these negotiations. While... MORE

Japan Seeking to Expand Its Economic Footprint in Central Asia
Executive Summary: Japan, the fifth largest economy in the world, is making new moves to gain access to natural resources and industries in Central Asia, sparking tension with Moscow and Beijing. The Japanese government views recent Central Asian agreements on borders as opening a new... MORE

Azerbaijan-Armenia-Georgia Trilateral Format May be Platform for Regional Decision-Making
Executive Summary: Georgia hosted the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan on April 17 for a closed trilateral summit to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries and geopolitical stability of the South Caucasus. Armenia and Azerbaijan’s progress, albeit slow, in signing a peace agreement... MORE

Russia May be Switching Tactics From Sabotage of Peace Deal to Bargaining
Executive Summary: A shift in tone and public sentiment in Russia suggests Moscow may be preparing for negotiations rather than continuing outright obstruction, but Russia continues aggressive military actions, undercutting its own signals of interest in a ceasefire or de-escalation. The issue of Crimea and... MORE

Belarusian Society Opts for Closer Relations with Russia and the People’s Republic of China
Executive Summary: An overwhelming majority of Belarusians believe Minsk should first prioritize economic relations with Russia followed by relations with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), according to a national opinion poll on foreign policy priorities conducted in late 2024. Belarusian public opinion remains adaptable... MORE

Georgian–Ukrainian Diplomatic Relations Experience Lowest Point
Executive Summary: The diplomatic relationship between Georgia and Ukraine has reached its lowest historical point as both sides lack the political will necessary to normalize relations. Kyiv and Tbilisi’s continuing estrangement is a result of strained relations between the ruling party of Georgia and the... MORE

Azerbaijan-Georgia Ties Strengthened by Shared Stances on Key Regional Issues
Executive Summary: Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili’s first official foreign visit to Azerbaijan reflects a pivot in Georgia’s foreign policy toward regional partnership amid strained relations with the European Union and Western partners. Georgia and Azerbaijan reaffirmed their opposition to foreign intervention in South Caucasus affairs,... MORE

Central Asian Countries Suffer Massive Brain Drain, Putting Their Futures at Risk
Executive Summary: The five Central Asian countries have suffered a new brain drain since gaining independence in 1991, with a large share of their advanced students and best scholars moving to the West rather than to Russia, as had been the case in Soviet times.... MORE