The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

The Iron Curtain is gone, but the competition for the lands that once shielded the Soviet Union from the West lives on. The Caucasus, Eastern Europe, the Baltics and Central Asia are just as important now as they were during the Cold War — and for nearly the same reasons. Russia is compelled to use them to protect its borders, and the West is compelled to use them to halt the rise of Russian power. The survival of the countries that occupy these lands will depend on agile diplomacy, economic diversification and flexible security relationships.

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Russian soldiers unload modified T-72 tanks at the Gvardeyskoe railway station near the Crimean capital of Simferopol on March 31, 2014.

On Geopolitics Feb 27, 2019 | 10:00 GMTFeb 27, 2019

Waiting for a Reality Check in Crimea, Five Years on

The West has refused to recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea, instead demanding its return to Ukraine. In so doing, the West is standing on principle rather than pragmatics.

By Sim Tack

Snapshots Feb 18, 2019 | 20:31 GMTFeb 18, 2019

Japan, Russia: A Kuril Island Agreement Gets a Little Smaller on the Horizon

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made it his mission to repair relations, but recent statements from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggest Moscow may not share his ambitions.

Snapshots Feb 15, 2019 | 20:45 GMTFeb 15, 2019

Ukraine, Russia: Pressure on Moscow Builds Over Its Seafaring Standoff With Kiev

A more regular NATO presence in the Black Sea could drive the chances of more confrontations with the Russian navy.

Snapshots Feb 8, 2019 | 21:20 GMTFeb 8, 2019

EU: Germany Might Take the Lead in Negotiations With Russia on Nord Stream 2

If passed, a measure would give Germany some negotiating power over the key pipeline project to deliver Russian natural gas directly to the EU.

Snapshots Jan 22, 2019 | 19:38 GMTJan 22, 2019

Russia, Ukraine: NATO Hits Its Limits in the Black Sea

Moscow's military superiority in the region is restricting the alliance's support for Kiev to symbolic measures.

The meeting Jan. 22 between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will mark their 25th since Abe assumed power in 2012.

Assessments Jan 22, 2019 | 15:13 GMTJan 22, 2019

The Odds Appear Stacked Against Abe's Dreams of a Russian Treaty

The Japanese premier has long sought to solve the countries' territorial dispute and unlock a peace deal with Moscow officially ending World War II hostilities. But the time may not yet be ripe enough.

Supporters of Armenian Nikol Pashinian celebrate in Yerevan's Republic Square on May 8, 2018. Pashinian would go on to become prime minister.

Assessments Jan 21, 2019 | 10:00 GMTJan 21, 2019

What the Chill in Russian-Armenian Relations Means

Moscow and Yerevan are age-old allies, but a recent frosty turn in their relationship could open the door for other powers to strengthen their ties with Armenia.