Gorbachev didn’t set out to open the door to democracy
The former Soviet leader learned the hard way that reining in political changes is harder than making them
Ukraine is an E.U. candidate. Full membership is an obstacle course.
The European Union had little choice but to open the door
An international court is investigating possible war crimes in Ukraine. What does that mean, exactly?
The ICC can investigate Russia even though it’s not a member.
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
Will Russians continue to support Putin’s war in Ukraine?
Patriotic attitudes run high in Russia, our research finds
Ukraine invasion tests the relationship between Russia and China
Their ‘unlimited’ partnership may have some limits after all
Can Putin keep the oligarchs and Russian elites on his side?
War with Ukraine may make that harder, my research finds.
In words and deeds, Putin shows he’s rejecting even Soviet-era borders
His speech this week makes it clear he’s out to restore “historic Russia”
The U.S. and Europe didn’t get what they wanted from Putin. But Putin didn’t get what he wanted from them.
Russia’s president made threats without offering assurances
When Xi and Putin declared a united front against the United States
A February 2022 joint statement reveals strong views about sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ukrainians in our survey weren’t enthusiastic about NATO exercises close to Russia
The Kremlin’s defense strategy depends on keeping a buffer between the Russian heartland and Europe.
What do Russia’s cyber moves mean for the Ukraine crisis?
Ambiguous signals raise the risk of miscalculating what’s really going on
Moldova’s new president is likely to seek closer ties with Europe. Russia won’t be pleased.
The outgoing president favored a strong relationship with Moscow.
The Democratic Party in Iowa changed the caucus rules. There could be controversy.
Iowa votes on Monday. Here’s how those caucuses really work.
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?
Ukraine elected a sitcom president. What can Western politicians learn from this script?
Voters were drawn to Volodymyr Zelensky’s comedic wit — but also his flexibility.
Will Russia try to occupy Belarus?
Here are the 4 things you need to know about the two nations’ falling out.
Kazakh President Nazarbayev has resigned. Here are three things to watch.
A managed succession may be a hard promise to keep.
10 years ago, Russia built a border wall, too. Here’s the story.
Since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the
Russia is trying to influence the 2018 U.S. election. But this time the U.S. is prepared.
[caption id="attachment_46299" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People walk in Red Square, with
Russia used to see itself as part of Europe. Here’s why that changed.
[caption id="attachment_74544" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a
Why did Russia poison one of its ex-spies in Britain?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/world/how-the-world-learned-about-russias-secret-deadly-nerve-agent/2018/03/15/e3724004-27cc-11e8-a227-fd2b009466bc_video.html Two weeks ago, Britain was shocked when a former
100,000 troops will engage in Russia’s Zapad-2017 war games
[caption id="attachment_63490" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A man watches Russian military jets
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
Why Russia is far less threatening than it seems
[caption id="attachment_55055" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a
3 things to know about the Trump administration’s warning shots on NATO
[caption id="attachment_54703" align="aligncenter" width="960"] U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis greets
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
Things are heating up in eastern Ukraine. Here are three reasons why.
[caption id="attachment_41239" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Members of a volunteer battalion and
Ukraine defeated Russia — at Eurovision. Here’s why that matters
When St. Petersburg’s renowned Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra performed Bach in
Here’s what the research reveals about the violence in Nagorno Karabakh — and how ‘freezing’ conflicts can backfire
[caption id="attachment_38748" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A soldier of the defense army
Here are the 5 things you need to know about the deadly fighting in Nagorno Karabakh
[caption id="attachment_38644" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Mobile artillery units of the Nagorno-Karabakh
Why is the International Criminal Court stepping out of Africa and into Georgia?
[caption id="attachment_35367" align="aligncenter" width="908"] An Ossetian woman, an Orthodox church
Yes, Putin may be starting to win Georgia away from the West. Here’s why that matters.
[caption id="attachment_33758" align="aligncenter" width="908"] The European Union flag is projected
Three reasons the U.S. won’t break with Azerbaijan over its violations of human rights and democratic freedoms
[caption id="attachment_34580" align="aligncenter" width="908"] BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - AUGUST 04: The
Here’s what we know about how to help spread democracy
[caption id="attachment_33874" align="aligncenter" width="908"] FILE: Egyptian women show their inked
No, Putin is not winning Georgia away from Europe. Here are the facts.
[caption id="attachment_33758" align="aligncenter" width="908"] The European flag is projected on
6 reasons not to worry about Russia invading the Baltics
[caption id="attachment_32090" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Russian President Vladimir Putin and Serbian
Yes, Darth Vader ran for office in Ukraine. Unfortunately, it’s no joke.
Over the past week, as Ukraine held local elections across
Here’s why Putin wants to topple Ukraine’s government, not to engineer a ‘frozen conflict’
[caption id="attachment_30331" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Pro-Russian militants participate in a training
Three and a half reasons why Russia might be planning to withdraw from Ukraine (or some of it, anyway)
[caption id="attachment_29015" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] A portrait of Russian President Vladimir
Here is fascinating new research on crime in Russia
[caption id="attachment_25019" align="aligncenter" width="660"] Anzor Gubashev, suspected of involvement in
How (il)liberal states promote democracy and autocracy
We usually portray the United States (U.S.) and the European
Russia – perhaps more restrained and less powerful than you think?
[caption id="attachment_23185" align="alignnone" width="620"] A US Air Force C-17 lands
Think of Russia as an ordinary petrostate, not an extraordinary superpower
[caption id="attachment_22451" align="alignnone" width="620"] A monitoring instrument on the gas
Ukraine’s breakaway region is becoming a de facto country
[caption id="attachment_15749" align="alignnone" width="620"] Pro-Russian militants patrol on an armored
Ukraine's breakaway region is becoming a de facto country
[caption id="attachment_15749" align="alignnone" width="620"] Pro-Russian militants patrol on an armored
MH17 won't change our relationship with Russia since there isn't really any relationship worth talking about
[caption id="attachment_13356" align="alignnone" width="620"] Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, sits
MH17 won’t change our relationship with Russia since there isn’t really any relationship worth talking about
[caption id="attachment_13356" align="alignnone" width="620"] Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, sits
Why the MH-17 tragedy won’t moderate the Russia-Ukraine conflict
[caption id="attachment_13054" align="aligncenter" width="600"] A part of the wreckage
MH17 is a tragedy, not a game-changer
In the aftermath of the tragic shootdown of Malaysian Airlines
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 is lustration and is it a good idea for Ukraine to adopt it?
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Communist lawmakers scuffle with right-wing
How people in South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Transnistria feel about annexation by Russia
Gerard Toal (Gearóid Ó Tuathail) is Director of the Government
Why the leaders of Kazakhstan are not (yet) losing sleep over Crimea
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] People holding Russian flags gather
Why we should be sober about the long-term prospects of stable democracy in Ukraine
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Pro-Ukrainian supporters take part in
Why the Crimean referendum is about strength rather than legitimacy
[caption id="attachment_7701" align="aligncenter" width="545" special=""] Pro-Russian demonstrators cheer after the
Ukraine update: A quick guide to our recent scholarly commentary
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] People attend an anti-war rally
Why Crimea might be worse off under Russian rule
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Volunteers of a self-defense group
Why Ukraine's crisis keeps central Asian leaders up at night
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] A protester holds a placard
Why Ukraine’s crisis keeps central Asian leaders up at night
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] A protester holds a placard
How Putin needs to play nice with markets
[caption id="attachment_7562" align="aligncenter" width="620" special=""] Source: Factset[/caption] Erik Gartzke is
Is Crimean independence or annexation a good outcome for Russia?
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Members of a pro Russian
Do Crimeans actually want to join Russia?
The following is a guest post from political scientists Grigore Pop-Eleches (Princeton
Is greater decentralization a solution for Ukraine? The Mylovanov Initiative
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" special=""] Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk
Why domestic developments in Ukraine still matter
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special="POOL PHOTO"] Secretary of State John
What Russia’s invasion of Georgia means for Crimea
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Troops under Russian command scream
What Russia's invasion of Georgia means for Crimea
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Troops under Russian command scream
The ‘failure’ of the ‘reset:’ Obama’s great mistake? Or Putin’s?
[caption id="attachment_7420" align="aligncenter" width="559" special=""] Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Alexei
The 'failure' of the 'reset:' Obama's great mistake? Or Putin's?
[caption id="attachment_7420" align="aligncenter" width="559" special=""] Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Alexei
4 reasons why Crimea is not Abkhazia
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Pro-Ukrainian activists rallied in
5 reasons I am surprised the crisis in Crimea is escalating so quickly
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] An unidentified gunman uses his
Can opposition parties survive in Georgia? Post-election report
[caption id="attachment_2383" align="aligncenter" width="567" special=""] Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili,
Why threaten to drop out of a presidential election you are likely to win?
[caption id="attachment_2113" align="aligncenter" width="600" special=""] Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, center,
2012 Georgian Parliamentary Election: Fraud Forensics and Map of Opposition Support
This following is a guest-post from Fredrik M Sjoberg, a
Post-Election Report: 2012 Georgian Parliamentary Election
Continuing our Election Reports series in conjunction with the journal Electoral Studies, the
The Georgian Dream?
The following is a guest post on yesterday's Georgian parliamentary
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: 2012 Georgian Parliamentary Elections Pre-Election Report
Continuing our Election Reports series in conjunction with the journal
Debacle in South Ossetia: Variations on a theme in de facto state elections
We welcome the following election report from Professor Julie George
More Expert Analysis on Tymoshenko Verdict
As a follow up to last week's post of expert
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
Who Should Lead a Multipolar World?
Below is another guest post from the formidable James Vreeland
A Coming Second Russian-Georgian War?
With the anniversary of last summer's Russian-Georgian war coming up