Report on “Putin’s Fourth Term: What Lies Ahead” CERES Conference

The annual conference on Russia, Putin’s Fourth Term: What Lies Ahead, featuring an ambassadors’ roundtable with five former U.S. Ambassadors to Russia. By: Simon Machalek, Reporter Where is Russia heading? What is behind Russia’s aggressive foreign policy? How do Russian constituents view their president Vladimir Putin? To examine these essential questions, scholars and diplomats from around … Continue reading Report on “Putin’s Fourth Term: What Lies Ahead” CERES Conference

Bosnian Elections 2018: The Dayton Accords Tested Again

By: Kristina Drye Photo Credit: Kristina Drye On October 7, 2018, citizens from Bosnia and Herzegovina went to the polls for national elections. Bosnia, which is still experiencing instability twenty-three years after the Dayton Accords were signed, has a lot to gain from political progress, but little hope of achieving it. The preliminary results of the … Continue reading Bosnian Elections 2018: The Dayton Accords Tested Again

All Silk Roads Lead to Rome

Luigi Di Maio, Deputy Prime Minister of Italy visiting the Daci Temple during his meeting with Chinese Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua. Photo Credit: AFP By: Austin Parenteau, Clumnist As Italian Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio publicized his desire for Italy to sign on as a full member of China’s Belt Road Initiative (BRI) global infrastructure project, … Continue reading All Silk Roads Lead to Rome

Peace for India-Pakistan and the Case for Reformed Multilateralism

Opening of the 73rd Session of the General Assembly. Photo Credit: UN By: Shruthi Rajkumar, Columnist As the 73rd UN General Assembly (UNGA) session unfolds, so does a familiar but fatigued drama of India-Pakistan animosity with insults, counter-insults, and a bitter rehashing of pointed fingers over the “terrorism” and “Kashmir” stalemate-inducing cards. It is imperative for … Continue reading Peace for India-Pakistan and the Case for Reformed Multilateralism

The Sochi Agreement: Theoretically Misguided in Concept and Implementation

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan shake hands during a news conference following their talks in Sochi, Russia September 17, 2018. Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via REUTERS By: Jodi Brignola, Columnist On September 17, 2018, Russia and Turkey made a deal to stall, and potentially prevent a Syrian regime offensive against opposition-held areas … Continue reading The Sochi Agreement: Theoretically Misguided in Concept and Implementation

Ukraine’s Grand Bargain

Russian soldiers on patrol in Crimea in 2014. Photo Credit: Getty Images By: Alexander Begej Universal recognition of a Russian Crimea would benefit both Kyiv and Moscow. Russia would see annexation sanctions lifted from its economy, providing disgruntled Russians with much needed economic relief. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government would be free from the shackles of … Continue reading Ukraine’s Grand Bargain

Putin the Troll – Making Abe An Offer He Can Only Refuse

By: Christine Bang-Andersen, Columnist Photo Credit: Getty Images In yet another act of political provocation, this time towards Japan, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered an offer that could only be refused during a September 12 speech at the Eastern Economic Forum alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The Russian president raised eyebrows when speaking about … Continue reading Putin the Troll – Making Abe An Offer He Can Only Refuse

Disrupting the High North: Great Power Competition Comes to Greenland

Thule U.S. Air Base. Photo credit: NASA By: Ashley Postler, Columnist At a time of rapid environmental change and newfound access to previously frozen polar resources, Greenland’s ambition for independence from the Kingdom of Denmark is gaining momentum, which could have profound impacts on Arctic security. If independence truly is a matter of when, … Continue reading Disrupting the High North: Great Power Competition Comes to Greenland

EU’s Future Border Defense Plan is in Disarray

Migrants walk through a field near the Greece-Macedonia border on August 27, 2016 (Robert Atanasovski/AFP/Getty Images) By: Adrienne Thompson, Columnist Since the onset of the migrant crisis in 2015, the European Union (EU) has struggled to process migrants, secure its borders, and reduce political tensions to halt the rise of far-right movements. In order to … Continue reading EU’s Future Border Defense Plan is in Disarray

Decoding Russia’s Role in Enabling Europe’s Far-Right

By: Krystel Von Kumberg, Columnist Photo credit: The Guardian Despite the varied political, economic, and social developments that have occurred in postwar European states, the continent is still haunted by the specter of the past, as far-right extremism has reemerged in recent years. Just as societal bonds are weakening due to growing frustration over economic … Continue reading Decoding Russia’s Role in Enabling Europe’s Far-Right