Commentary & Analysis

Russian Musical Chairs: A Country on the Stop

By Ross Wilson

President Dmitri Medvedev’s public dressing down and dismissal of his country’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, Alexei Kudrin, on September 26 has attracted widespread attention in Russia and abroad.

Caspian Natural Gas Inches Closer to Markets

By Boyko Nitzov

Earlier this month, two events occurred which are likely to significantly boost Europe’s hopes for diversifying its gas supply and help realize Caspian gas exporting countries’ aspirations for reaching global gas markets. 

Redrawing Europe’s Energy Map: Poland’s Offer

The Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom enjoys unwavering control of gas exports to Europe with little current viable competition. The European Union, overall, receives 25 percent of its natural gas supply via pipelines from Russia, with some (mostly Eastern European) consumers almost completely dependent on the large supplier. These consumers have been actively in pursuit […]

Discussion with Ambassador John Ordway

By Jason Harmala

On September 22, the Atlantic Council held an off-the-record discussion with John Ordway, who just completed nine months as U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Kazakhstan that followed his earlier tenure as American ambassador there in 2004-2008 and a long U.S. Foreign Service career that included assignments in Armenia, Russia and the Soviet Union.

Strategy Session on Southeast Europe with Eric Rubin

By Jason Harmala

On September 14, the Atlantic Council held an off-the-record strategy session for Eric Rubin, the new US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs responsible for American relations with Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and the three Caucasus countries.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization: Eurasian Security in the 21st Century

By Rafael Zhansultanov

As NATO draws down troops from Afghan soil, the continued fight in this beleaguered country and a possible resurgence of the Taliban pose three acute problems to Eurasian security: demographic decline, regional instability, and international terrorism. To cope with these challenges to peace in Eurasia, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization should take a more comprehensive role in […]

Libya’s Oil After Gaddafi

By Boyko Nitzov

Getting Libya’s oil flowing again is of crucial importance for the country’s recovery, stability, and prosperity. The proper management of the revenues derived from the petroleum sector is likely to define the government’s success or failure. Getting it right will be a technically difficult and politically sensitive task.