Tectonics of the New World Order and the Russian Far East

The Far East as a meeting point of three key regions?Eurasia, Pacific Asia, and the Arctic?opens up prospects for overcoming a false dilemma of traditional division into continental and maritime states. Russia’s dual geopolitical nature allows it to move along both tracks at the same time.

The Summit in Singapore and the Failure of Donald Trump’s Diplomacy

It seemed before the Singapore summit, - the meeting of the leaders of the US and North Korea, which was drawing attention of the whole international community while being prepared, that Donald Trump’s “blackmail diplomacy” proved its effectiveness. However, is it possible to consider his policy towards Pyongyang and his administration’s foreign policy a success?

Russia can be the honest broker in Korean diplomacy

Only joint efforts with US, China, North and South Korea will bring a lasting deal

Defying Stereotypes

Variables and Constants

This issue differs from the previous ones, as our readers have probably noticed. The more chaotic the international situation is and the more absurd its manifestations are, the more in-depth and stricter approach is needed in order to figure everything out.

The Guns of April, Or the Return of Strategic Frivolity

Today mutual respect is probably the scarcest commodity in relations between great or even just major powers. This is particularly visible in the divide between the West and the Rest.

The Pre-Olympic Thaw Comes As Good News, but What Next for the Two Koreas?

On January 1, 2018, the leader of the DPRK Kim Jong-un delivered a traditional New Year message, which is perceived as a "task for the current year" and is an important statement from the point of view of determining the country's leadership goals.

Combating Future Uncertainties: Goals for 2018

Combating future uncertainties is the main task when it comes to forecasting anything. Speaking about international relations, there are two key uncertainties here – the unknown motives of actors in a crisis and the likelihood of spontaneous relevant events.

The Greater Evil

Russia loses the least from a nuclear North Korea. This is why, on the one hand, it should take measures to avoid a conflict, and on the other, pursue a prudent strategy so that a conflict, should it break out, affects Russia less than other geopolitical rivals.

Russia and the U.S.: The Way Forward

Overcoming the legacy of the Cold War, during which several generations grew up, proved much more difficult than was expected. That Russian-U.S. relations have been thrown far back does not meet anyone’s interests, but finding a way out of this impasse will take time, goodwill and breakthrough ideas.

A Wolfhound Age

As the centenary of the Russian Revolution of 1917 was drawing nearer, many remembered the magic of numbers and looked forward to hearing a metaphysical echo of those events. Fortunately, no cataclysms occurred, but the important occasion sparked discussions not only on history but also on modernity. In fact, many compare current sociopolitical transformations to those that precipitated the dramatic changes in the early 20th century.

Looking into the Future: Russia and Asia in the Next 20 Years

The Asian center of economic growth will move to the south, and the developed countries will try to adapt foreign labor migration to the needs of high-tech production.

Russian and Chinese Influences in Shared Borderlands

The political and economic relationship between Russia and China has been intensifying over the past decade, particularly as Moscow has attempted to “pivot to the East.”

The New Northern Policy and Korean-Russian Cooperation

While the North Korea crisis hangs over regional and global peace, the world calls out to constructive and peaceful cooperation that can halt the ‘conflict spiral’. The Russian-Korean cooperation and Eurasian integration may become a remedy for the problem.

Nuclear Dangers from North Korea: Managing the Risks to the US and Russia

Among the most disturbing aspects of the North Korean nuclear problem today is the lack of a common perspective between Washington and Moscow.

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO): Bridging the Conflict between Progress and Humanism

The perspective from a highly technical and science-based organization, gives a positive and hopeful outlook on what technological progress can contribute to the future of humanity.

Egoistic Hegemonism

The never-ending political infighting in the US could be viewed as an inevitable stage in an overly complex path the US must take to find its place in the world, one that is changing in spite of what the US wants or thinks. On the other hand, these political struggles make it even harder and more painful for the US and for the rest of the world to adapt to these changes.

Ready to Rebuff an Attack?

The rate at which Pyongyang has been developing its missile program shows that prospects for a successful disarming strike that may go unpunished will disappear within a year or two. Therefore, if the U.S. does not dare strike at North Korea, there will be no alternatives to a meaningful dialogue with Pyongyang.

No Light at the End of the Tunnel

None of the possible scenarios for solving the North Korean problem—negotiations, sanctions, and a military solution—can be considered acceptable and satisfactory. This means that the United States and the whole world will likely have to coexist with a nuclear North Korea.

Choosing between Two Evils

Each of the serious players now has to make an inevitable and unpleasant choice between “bad” and “very bad,” not even knowing which of the choices has less dangerous consequences.

Razing the Old to Build the New?

If we give up the norms and instruments of nuclear arms control developed over the past half century, we will eventually end up with nothing. Instead, we should urgently save this invaluable structure and improve this system in a prudent way, adapting it to new challenges and threats.

In the Moonlight

There is an increasingly strong feeling of countdown—towards even more drastic changes. The world is moving somewhere along the sparkling moonlit path.

The Guns of April, Or the Return of Strategic Frivolity

Today mutual respect is probably the scarcest commodity in relations between great or even just major powers. This is particularly visible in the divide between the West and the Rest.

What’s the U.S.’s Best Chance With North Korea? Russia

Washington and Pyongyang will eventually need to resume direct talks. With neither party ready for that yet, at first secret contacts will have to be organized in third countries. In the meantime, de-escalation is the order of the day, and Russia one of its unlikely brokers.

With Zero Fatalism about North Korea

Politicians and experts, journalists and diplomats are increasingly alarmed about the possible catastrophic consequences of the current crisis — not only for the Korean Peninsula, but for the system of world politics in general.

What World War I Can Teach Us About How To Manage The North Korea Crisis

We should not delude ourselves with the assumption that peace is the natural state of mankind in our age.

China Sanctions Hint of What’s To Come

Recent US sanctions against China and Russia are signs of the Trump administration’s toughening approach to North Korea. Ironically, these sanctions come on the heels of a UN Security Council resolution imposing new measures against North Korea that the US, China and Russia voted in favor of.

China sanctions hint of what’s to come

Recent US sanctions against China and Russia are signs of the Trump administration's toughening approach to North Korea.

North Korea Crisis: Serious Diplomacy Needed

The crisis with North Korea over its nuclear weapons programme is often compared to the similar confrontation the international community had with Iran. It would be encouraging if we could expect a similar outcome.

G20 in Hamburg: Positive or Negative? Expert Discussion

The Valdai Discussion Club held an expert discussion dedicated to the results of the Hamburg G20 summit, which took place over the weekend.