The Taming of the Shrew
EU-Ukraine Summit 2011 The fifteenth EU-Ukraine summit in Kyiv was expected to produce a major breakthrough in their bilateral relationship – the initialling of the Association Agreement (AA) containing…
The Audacity of Russia’s Voters
Elections were held in Russia last week for the lower house of the State Duma. Reports of election fraud as well as discontent with the current government led to…
Why Yanukovych Did It: Explaining the Rationality of His Choice
Yulia Tymoshenko’s conviction last week for seven years in jail produced another round of speculations about the possible ways that President Yanukovych could set her free. One option that…
Eurasian Union
On October 4, Izvestia published an article on the front page, written by Vladimir Putin in which he outlines plans for the creation of a Eurasian Union. Putin describes…
Putin 2012: Castle, Kingside
“The elections will be organized strictly in accordance with the law and better than in most countries of Western Europe.” – Vladimir Churov, Head of the Central Electoral Commission.…
Vladimir Putin’s Decision to Run for President of Russia in 2012
Insight by PONARS Eurasia Members Originally appeared on The Monkey Cage Dmitry Gorenburg, Senior Analyst, Center for Naval Analyses There has already been some loose talk about the potential…
A Cuban Oil Rig Crisis?
The short distance separating Cuba from the United States has once again become the site for growing international intrigue. Yesterday, reports that Cuba is developing a massive new oil-drilling…
A Week in the Life of the North Caucasus
I learned about my mother’s death once the airplane landed in Moscow and my phone could be switched back on. She died while I was on en route from…
Does Oil Lead to International Conflict?
Exploring the connection between energy and international conflict. by Robert Orttung The importance of oil for international politics and markets is obvious to everyone, but political scientists have…
Russia’s Conflicts on Libya
Earlier this month, the Russian Government surprised many observers by going along with UN Security Council Resolution 1973, which authorized international enforcement of a no-fly zone over Libya. Russia…
Turkmenistan Turning a Leaf?
Or just another leaf in the wind? We’ve taken note of the unusually strong signals from President Berdimuhamedov in early 2011 that Ashgabat seeks closer ties with Europe. EC President Barroso…
Are Oil Prices Linked to Reform in Russia?
PONARS Eurasia members took a closer look at the periodically-floated theory that oil barrel prices correlate with reform measures in Russia over time. Their comments were sparked by a…