A Russian destabilization campaign put Moldova in the news
Maia Sandu, Moldova's pro-E.U. president, is up for reelection this fall.
The Kremlin has another weapon in its arsenal: Migration policy
How committed is Russia to embracing Slavic migrants from Ukraine and beyond?
Zelensky isn’t the first leader to feel frustrated by the E.U.
Other countries committed to joining, yet have no clear path to full membership
Central Asian countries now have two big worries about Russia
Moscow has seen little support this week from these countries.
Turkey’s president insists on low interest rates. That could cost him politically, this research shows.
As Turkey slashed interest rates last year, the value of the Turkish lira plummeted
Kazakhstan called for assistance. Why did Russia dispatch troops so quickly?
Preserving autocracies is a primary goal for regional organizations like the CSTO.
The Kazakhstan protests escalated quickly. Here’s why.
We found these two factors at work.
Kazakhstan’s leaders promised middle-class comfort. Then they raised prices.
Protesters aren’t benefiting from Kazakhstan’s oil economy.
20 years later, America’s ‘War on Terror’ language has gone global
Right-wing governments and movements often use these words to justify authoritarian and racist policies.
Northern Afghanistan once kept out the Taliban. Why has it fallen so quickly this time?
Political and ethnic tensions have fueled new discord — and the Taliban has capitalized on these grievances
How can the world hold Belarus accountable?
Technology has become the ‘long arm’ of authoritarians
Five things to watch as the U.S. prepares to exit Afghanistan
For Afghans, the conflict enters a new phase
China and Iran announced a new economic and security partnership. That’s not as alarming as it sounds.
China has similar deals with a number of Middle Eastern countries
These two African railway megaprojects tell us a lot about China’s development model
Surprisingly, local rules matter more than Chinese government guidelines
Mike Pompeo accused China of committing ‘genocide,’ an international crime. Biden’s team agrees.
This probably won’t lead to prosecutions but it will hurt China in the court of public opinion
Election officials annulled Kyrgyzstan’s October election. Here’s why.
Protests in the Central Asian state have pushed out governments before.
Putin’s succession strategy could be risky. This explains why.
Even the best-laid plans have unpredictable political consequences.
30 years after the Berlin Wall fell, some former Soviet-controlled countries are dismantling democracy. What happened?
How did Russia, populism and ‘illiberal democracy’ creep back in?
Why are there anti-China protests in Central Asia?
The region is important to Beijing’s security strategy
China celebrates 70 years of communist rule. What explains the resilience of its regime?
In 1989, the Chinese Communist Party survived popular unrest — while Europe’s communist regimes did not.
Russian propaganda isn’t as effective as you may think
Our research shows it only influences neighboring countries’ citizens on subjects they know little about
Why is Russia insisting on bringing home ISIS fighters’ children?
It’s all about appearing to be a humanitarian leader.
Kazakh President Nazarbayev has resigned. Here are three things to watch.
A managed succession may be a hard promise to keep.
Chinese leaders tried before to assimilate the Uighurs. This time it might face less resistance.
[caption id="attachment_79596" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chinese military police attend an anti-terrorist
What the Trump administration’s confrontational approach misses about China
[caption id="attachment_78824" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chinese President Xi Jinping walks past
Families of victims of Russia’s mall fire are angry. What does this mean for Putin’s power?
[caption id="attachment_71570" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to
Russia is looking to engage with the Taliban. Here’s why.
[caption id="attachment_68101" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A U.S. soldier patrols in Asad
Yes, the Kremlin is worried — about Russia’s own presidential elections
[caption id="attachment_66986" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to
Why are Crimean Tatars so hostile to Russia?
[caption id="attachment_63182" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Ukrainian, Crimean and Crimean Tatar flags
Why is China suddenly leading the climate change effort? It’s a business decision.
[caption id="attachment_60221" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Windmills at the Da Bancheng Wind
China is trying to pull Middle East countries into its version of NATO
[caption id="attachment_60134" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The daily flag-lowering ceremony at sunset
This is why the West should pay attention to the drama in Macedonia
A series of dramatic events have been unfolding in the
What do we know about Russia’s ‘Grand Strategy?’
[caption id="attachment_57621" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with
Russians are protesting! Part 2: Any government response will bring out more protesters.
[caption id="attachment_56126" align="alignnone" width="960"] Opposition supporters attend a rally in
Putin is waiting to see whether Trump will fund pro-democracy programs
[caption id="attachment_55557" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Traditional Russian wooden dolls depicting President
The Kremlin and Russia’s regional governments are at odds. That’s a problem for Putin.
[caption id="attachment_54644" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Russian President Vladimir Putin leads a
Here’s how Trump’s election will affect U.S.-Russian relations
[caption id="attachment_49289" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Two women look at their cellphones
The Kremlin blamed our work when it declared Russia’s most respected polling firm a ‘foreign agent.’
[caption id="attachment_46299" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Red Square, with St. Basil's Cathedral
Uzbekistan had the same president for 25 years. What happens now?
[caption id="attachment_45908" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov greets people
Who supports violent extremism in developing countries?
[caption id="attachment_42441" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An Islamic State fighter waves the terrorist group's
Kazakhstan had huge protests, but no violent crackdown. Here’s why.
[caption id="attachment_41674" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Riot police stand guard during a
Surveys show Russian nationalism is on the rise. This explains a lot about the country’s foreign and domestic politics.
[caption id="attachment_41302" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The Russian and Olympic flags fly side-by-side
Should the U.S. worry about tensions between Shiite and Sunni Muslims in central Asia?
[caption id="attachment_40467" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] People gather for the monument unveiling
So are Russia and Iran best buddies now? Um, maybe not.
[caption id="attachment_32032" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, shakes
Hey, Putin, have you seen how much China is investing in Ukraine?
[caption id="attachment_27756" align="aligncenter" width="982"] Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) greets
Executive election rules in dictatorships matter. Here’s why.
[caption id="attachment_24680" align="aligncenter" width="640"] President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon
Different faces of Turkish Islamic nationalism
[caption id="attachment_21493" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A Turkish protester holds a banner
Why is terror Islamist?
[caption id="attachment_20587" align="alignnone" width="620"] This image made from a video
Grading the 2015 Bill and Melinda Gates letter on poverty alleviation
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="658"] Bill and Melinda Gates in Los
How popular are Putin and Obama in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine?
It is well known that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions
Counter-terrorism in Central Asia requires international cooperation
[caption id="attachment_19433" align="alignnone" width="620"] FILE: Then-U.S. Secretary of State Hillary
A broad approach to countering the Islamic State
[caption id="attachment_15119" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Iraqi soldiers celebrate on Monday after Iraqi
Researchers at risk in Central Asia
[caption id="attachment_12269" align="aligncenter" width="285"] Detained doctoral student Alexander Sodiqov (Exeter Central Asian
Lessons from 25 years of post-communism: the importance of reform, democracy, and geography
[caption id="attachment_11538" align="aligncenter" width="512" special=""] Berliners sing and dance on
What Putin gets about soft power
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special="MANDATORY CREDIT "] Russian President Vladimir
Five key questions — and answers — about the OSCE mission in Ukraine
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special="PHOTO SHOT THROUGH CAR WINDOW"] Workers
Why the leaders of Kazakhstan are not (yet) losing sleep over Crimea
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] People holding Russian flags gather
Don't underestimate importance of religion for understanding Russia's actions in Crimea
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special="3TP"] Russia's President Vladimir Putin and
Don’t underestimate importance of religion for understanding Russia’s actions in Crimea
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special="3TP"] Russia's President Vladimir Putin and
Why Washington and Moscow keep talking past each other
[caption id="attachment_7864" align="aligncenter" width="690" special=""] President Obama meets with Russian
How Putin's desire to restore Russia to great power status matters
[caption id="attachment_7508" align="aligncenter" width="300" special=""] Alexei Nikolsky/AFP/Getty Images[/caption] Steven Ward
How Putin’s desire to restore Russia to great power status matters
[caption id="attachment_7508" align="aligncenter" width="300" special=""] Alexei Nikolsky/AFP/Getty Images[/caption] Steven Ward
Why secular but illiberal governments are no guarantee of religious freedom
Kara Downey is a PhD candidate at Stanford University who
Predictions for 2014 and happy New Year!
[caption id="attachment_4568" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Cory Booker, Tweeter-in-Chief (Lynne Sladky/AP)[/caption]
Five key questions – and answers – about Iran's social media influence
[caption id="attachment_4169" align="aligncenter" width="979" special=""] (Morningside Analytics)[/caption] The explosion of
Farewell, Manas!
[caption id="attachment_2032" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] (Vladimir Pirogov/Reuters)[/caption] In another milestone
Why a Strategy of Deterring Weak Leaders from Using Chemical Weapons Means the US Should Attack Syria Even if it Strengthens Assad
The following is a guest post from my NYU colleague
Why is Syria So Important to Russia and Putin?
The following is a guest post from UCLA political scientist
2013 Albanian Post-Election Report: The Quick, Quiet Albanian Elections and the End of Transitional Politics
Continuing our series of Election Reports, the following Albanian post-election report
2012 Georgian Parliamentary Election: Fraud Forensics and Map of Opposition Support
This following is a guest-post from Fredrik M Sjoberg, a
Central Asia Grows Wobbly
Central Asia is entering a decade of heightened instability. Aging
What NSF-Funded Projects Have Taught Us About National Security Issues
by Erica Chenoweth (@EricaChenoweth) and Jason Lyall (@jaylyall_red5.) Yesterday’s House of Representatives
Post-Election Report: Kyrgyz President
As part of our continuing series of election reports, we
Why Now? Micro Transitions and the Arab Uprisings
We are pleased to welcome the American Political Science Association's
Base Politics and Revolutions
"Alexander Cooley":http://polisci.barnard.edu/profiles/alexander-cooley and my colleague "Dan Nexon":http://explore.georgetown.edu/people/dhn2/?PageTemplateID=156 have an interesting
Stopping Ethnic Pogroms in Kyrgyzstan
For those of you out there not closely following Central
In the Applied Statistics Blog this week
1. Understanding the 'Russian Mortality Paradox' in Central Asia: Evidence
Sometimes it IS all about the Benjamins…
Campaign donations may not have direct policy payoffs for the
Voting with the Islands
The figure above (my contribution to the APSA task force)
A Coming Second Russian-Georgian War?
With the anniversary of last summer's Russian-Georgian war coming up