Russia

Is Crimea Preparing to Exit Ukraine?

By Rajan Menon

The Crimean parliament has voted to organize a referendum on March 16 if the Russian government — basically Putin — agrees that the territory is eligible to become part of the Russian Federation and to secede from Ukraine. But here’s the problem:

Empty Tough Talk from US Hawks

By Rajan Menon

You would think it’s self-evident that Ukraine’s current crisis and the controversies sparked before its eruption by Iran’s nuclear program, China’s muscle-flexing against Japan and the Philippines over disputed tiny islands, and Syria’s continuing carnage are distinct—that they have little, if anything, in common. Well, you’d be wrong, at least in the eyes of the […]

NATO Secretary General: Ukraine Crisis is ‘Gravest Threat to European Security’ Since Cold War

By NATO

Ukraine is a valued and long-standing partner for NATO.

NATO’s Strategic Ace: Vladimir Putin

By Harlan Ullman

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was on the road to irrelevance. The most successful military alliance in history has lacked a real enemy since the Soviet Union disintegrated a quarter of a century ago.  After a dozen years of war in Afghanistan,  NATO’s role is coming to an ignominious end. Because of Afghan President […]

Russia’s Mistral Warship Sets Sail for First Time

By AP

A French-built warship designed to strengthen Russia’s ability to deploy troops, tanks and helicopter gunships is getting its first test run Wednesday — just as Western powers are trying to rein in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military threat to Ukraine.

Crisis in Ukraine: What Does This Mean for the Global Economy?

As the crisis in the Crimea continues, the Atlantic Council hosted a members conference call discussion of how the crisis will affect both the Ukrainian and Russian financial systems, featuring Anders Aslund, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute and adjunct professor at Georgetown University, and Michael Marrese, head of Central-Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa […]