RUSSIAN STUDIES

Daniel Little
(RIEAS Senior Advisor)

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History is as much defined by circumstances and perceptions as they are by their actors.  While debate over the minutest detail lies within the domain of history’s most stalwart scholars, it is the available evidence that ultimately persuades the contemporary practitioner to draw parallels between the world that was and the reality it has evolved to become.  The fields of diplomacy and defense in particular are driven by such national interests.  Whether they are rooted in history (notably war and politics), economic comparative advantages (or disadvantages) or geographic placement, the aspirations to fully realize national identity leaves nothing to chance for those who wield its power.  For those who rule, the ability to know addresses how to act, when to act and the degree to which it is acted upon that can decide a nation’s fate.  This cannot be obtained by the leaders themselves – someone must go out there and obtain it for them.  Normally entrusted to the most ardent and enterprising of its patriots, the desire to act decisively on a strategic level requires uncommon sacrifice much less risk taking. Such people, win or lose, serve the intelligence branch of their country.  In the field, they are known as ‘spies.’ ...  Read more

Nastassia Sianko
(Energy Security Analyst)

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In recent years, many analysts have noted the dependence of many European countries on Russian energy. In 2008, 40% of the European Union (EU) natural gas and 33% of oil imports came from Russia. And these figures, especially imports of natural gas (being seen by many as ‘fortunate fuel’), are expected to grow because the global demand for energy is increasing.....  Read more

Alexis Giannoulis
(RIEAS Senior Analyst)

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In 2003 the Goldman Sachs’ ‘Global Economics Paper No: 99 ’ publication confirmed Jim O’Neill’s term ‘BRIC’ (first coined in 2001) and set forward the prospect of the then-most dynamic countries with regards to medium and long-term future growth and development. The BRICs were the countries with the biggest populations and with economies set to surpass most, if not all of the G7 nations in a rather speedy fashion by 2025. Brazil, Russia, India and China are all countries with substantial and young (in most cases) populations with good growth outlooks, vast resources and governments willing to enter the global markets as the most dynamic and major economies of the future..... Read more 

Zhyldyz Oskonbaeva
(RIEAS Senior Advisor & Eurasian Liaison)

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With the world’s political scenarios changing, Russia’s foreign military “footholds” might be changing in the near future. This is an analysis of the bases, their purposes and the relationship between Russia and hosting countries. Using the tenant-landlord analogy to explain, many of these bases differ in importance.  For some of these bases no rent is paid.  In some much rent is paid and in all the cases there exists a ‘flirting politics’ between the landlord host countries and their Russian tenant............ Read more

Alexis Giannoulis
(RIEAS Senior Analyst)

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The Duma 2011 elections turned out to be business unusual for the Kremlin and the political establishment in Russia. Although United Russia remained united to a large extend, the Sunday elections marked the biggest backdrop for PM V. Putin since 1999......  Read more

By Alexis Giannoulis
(RIEAS Research Associate & Security Analyst)

Copyright: www.rieas.gr

The autumn and winter of 2011 mark two important anniversaries for European and world history. Ten years ago, the spectacularly tragic events in New York and Washington, DC on September 11th, 2001 marked a new post-Cold War era for global affairs as well as for issues such as national, international security and international cooperation. Twenty years ago, during the period between the summer of 1991 and the December of that year, the world saw the gradual demise of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) following an uneasy period of reforms under Mikhael Gorbachev and a traumatic for all parts concerned decade of immense financial and leadership problems toppled with a painfully costly war and occupation in Afghanistan.