Analysis and Commentary

27.06.2017 The US Constitution vests the president, the head of the executive branch, with considerable power to formulate the country’s foreign policy. Regardless of the proactive stance of some Congressmen in dealing with external issues, America’s foreign policy has historically been shaped by presidents, their temperament, experience, ideological leanings, and quite often it has been affected by their domestic policy. The latter can be central to understanding and forecasting the Trump administration’s steps related to Russia. Nowadays only the elites can initiate and introduce c

The conflict between Qatar and the alliance of Muslim countries led by Saudi Arabia emphasizes that today’s international relations, at least in the Middle East, are closer to the classical model of domination, rivalries and coalitions defined by national interests than to post–Cold War dreams of a world politics free of conflicts, and based on liberal consensus and cooperation. Among the major powers, Russia might be the best prepared to act within such an order. Today, there is no power in the Middle East that is not talking to Moscow. This dialogue is based on the clear understanding of

"Originally published by EurasiaNet.org" http://www.eurasianet.org. April 19, 2017 - 4:25pm, by Nikolay Pakhomov EurasiaNet Commentary April 19, 2017 - 3:59pm A piece in the Wall Street Journal not too long ago indicated that the Trump White House is grappling with a thorny foreign policy dilemma – namely, how to disrupt the strong bond between Russia and Iran. One can safely bet, however, that this objective is unattainable for the foreseeable future. For Washington to achieve such a diplomatic goal, it would need to offer one of the two allies – most likely Russia – incentiv

The recent U.S. missile strike did not significantly change the state of affairs on Syria’s battlefields. Nevertheless, it has significantly altered the global political context of the Syrian Civil War and forced all players to modify their strategic calculations. Russia is no exception. America’s actions might help Moscow a great deal in calibrating its goals and the methods to achieve them. Donald Trump made a serious move; now it is Vladimir Putin’s turn. According to several assessments, and as confirmed by the United States, the strike on Syria was planned and executed to be limi

The Russia-Israel Relationship Is Perfect Realpolitik In world politics, the Middle East remains the region with the most serious security challenges. Observers agree that it is undergoing a stage of drastic changes that will define its future. Among the factors shaping the region, Israel’s foreign policy is traditionally of paramount importance, and Israeli-Russian relations are a significant element. While the West in general and the United States in particular try to balance different, foreign and domestic factors within their relations with Israel, Russian foreign policy, based on rea

Why Belarus Can't Afford to Be the New Ukraine On February 3 Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko launched the fiercest of his rhetorical attacks against Russia—a country that has been financially underpinning Lukashenko’s regime. Despite the audacious comments of the Belarusian leader, there is little chance that his words will convince Moscow to continue providing support to his country with few strings attached. The status quo will likely be extended, which means there will constantly be a diminishing value for Russia. Thus, Lukashenko’s options are few. Either he fully partic

http://america.cgtn.com/2017/01/31/the-heat-us-russia-ties

Nov 24, 2016 Ksenia Zubacheva Debates: As U.S. President Barack Obama enjoys his last few weeks in office, Russian and American experts examine the goals of his last international trip and assess the results of his policy decisions over the last eight years. Obama met the leaders of key European countries to discuss an array of security and economic challenges facing the trans-Atlantic partners as the U.S. prepares for President-elect Donald Trump to take office in January. Photo: AP On Nov. 21 Barack Obama returned from his last international trip in the capacity of U.S. president

The elections show the changing role of Russia in the region's public politics. Nikolay Pakhomov With all the events of 2016, many truly historic, it is easy not to notice presidential elections in two East-European countries — Bulgaria and Moldova — both conducting run-offs on November 13. These elections are interesting not only because of their influence on the state of affairs in the region, but also because they show the changing role of Russia in the region’s public politics. Up-and-coming political figures of the region are eager to portray themselves as friends of whomever is

Anti-Russian Consolidation of American Establishment 03.11.2016 Nikolay Pakhomov Both American and foreign observers regardless of their political preferences and area of specialization almost unanimously say that the current American presidential campaign demonstrates general crisis of the US political system. Any crisis means that a system does not function properly, so a search for a solution starts. From this point of view, it is highly interesting to follow what is happening in America now, especially taking into account the fact that this political crisis has exposed the problems