Publications
EU-Russia: You Can't Always Get What You Want
Russia needs Europe’s technological resources to maintain its current economic and political system. Europe, however, wants its investment in Russia to lead to long-term institutional reform in Moscow.
The Risks of Losing a Special Role in the Caucasus
The position of EU special representative for the south Caucasus plays an important role in the potential transformation and development of the volatile region.
The Turkish-American Split
In spite of recent tensions, the United States and Turkey still share important common interests. However, Turkey is a growing power and there are significant areas where Turkey’s perspective and interests differ from those of the United States.
China, Pakistan, and the Nuclear Suppliers Group
In light of the 2008 U.S.–India deal, which exempted India from the nuclear trade guidelines set by the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the NSG now faces a delicate balancing act in confronting the possibility of a China-Pakistan nuclear deal.
Containment Policy for a Nuclear Iran?
The ideals espoused by the Green Movement in Iran continue to hold a strong appeal to the country’s youthful population, but the movement needs to explain to Iranian workers why it would govern better than the current regime if it wants to change the power dynamic in Iran.
It Takes Two to Reset
The U.S. administration and politicians in Moscow have sharply divergent views on the ‘reset’ in bilateral relations. Where U.S. officials see dialogue, compromises, and concessions as a means of winning over the other side, the Russian elite considers dialogue to be a sign of weakness.
Kyrgyzstan: A Test for Mutual Security
The crisis in Kyrgyzstan presents an opportunity for the three multilateral groups working in the area to do real, immediate good while building trust and demonstrating that cooperation is possible in the increasingly interconnected and fragile Eurasian security space.
Russia and the Crisis in Osh
As Moscow grapples with the question of whether to intervene to stop the violence in southern Kyrgyzstan, it is forced to confront a vexing issue: can Russia utilize its political and military potential to help resolve local and regional conflicts in Central Asia?
The All-Too-Real Phantom Balance Sheet
In the world of modern, interconnected markets, implied liabilities are everywhere that assets or countries or industries are seen as having a shared fate. In order to assess financial risks accurately, implied liabilities must be taken into consideration.
What's Left Of Last Year's Protests In Iran
One year after Iran was shaken by massive street demonstrations to protest the results of the presidential elections, the political, social, and economic malaise that led to those demonstrations remains strong.
Iran's Intimidation Worked
Intimidation by Ahmadinejad's regime succeeded in keeping opposition protesters off the streets on the first anniversary of Iran's rigged election. To regain its momentum, the Green Movement must tackle five key challenges.
Iran—One Year After the Disputed Election and Violent Crackdown
Three days before the anniversary of Iran’s controversial election, the United Nations Security Council imposed its fourth round of sanctions against the country’s nuclear program. These sanctions could end up strengthening the opposition’s argument that the country is in need of new leadership.
Let the Renminbi Depreciate Rather than Appreciate
The collapse of the euro presents an opportunity for China to introduce greater exchange rate flexibility and let the renminbi depreciate, in order to prevent dangerous speculative capital inflows.
Could Al-Qaeda Turn African in the Sahel?
Regional cooperation and discreet aid from the West are critical for countries to regain control of their territory and prevent al-Qaeda from gaining ground in Africa.
Effective U.S. Democracy Assistance Requires Reform at USAID
While U.S. democracy aid has grown in amount and sophistication over the last two decades under Republican and Democratic administrations alike, American democracy promotion efforts can achieve their full potential only by reforming USAID.
Risk and Opportunity in the New Middle East
With its increased regional and global influence, Turkey is in a position to seize a leading role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to challenge Iran for leadership of regional public opinion.
Turkey's Moment of Inflection
The Turkish government’s handling of its Kurdish minority and the state of its civil-military relations will determine the longevity of the current improvement in Turkish political economy.
Exploiting Grievances: Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
The violent jihad advocated by al-Qaeda is not widely accepted by Yemenis at this point, and there is a small window of opportunity to take steps to undermine al-Qaeda’s influence.
Turkey's Role in the Middle East
Turkey is one of the most economically and politically powerful states in the Middle East and it has recently been taking steps to fill the leadership vacuum that exists in the region.
The IAEA's Agenda
The ongoing IAEA investigations in Iran and Syria and Israel’s nuclear capability are among the top issues on the agenda for the June IAEA Board of Governors meeting.