In The News

Turkey: Erdoğan Faces Twittering Opposition

Anna Beth Keim March 26, 2014
A desire for democracy – the ability to select one’s representatives, but also engage in informed debate on policies with compromise – may slowly take root in Turkey. Spring protests in Gezi Park gave way to harsh crackdown, a government corruption investigation in December and active debate over Twitter since, including leaks of recordings that led to resignations of ministers and growing...

Why Putin Doesn’t Care About Sanctions

David R. Cameron March 25, 2014
Europe’s advance on former Soviet satellite states unnerved Russia. After unrest in Ukraine and deposition of the president, Russia moved to annex Crimea – which in turn may “drive Ukraine into the arms of the EU and give NATO a new raison d’être,” explains David R. Cameron, Yale professor of political science. “Crimea in the hands of a hostile Ukraine would threaten Russia’s hold on its base for...

Why "Iran Style" Sanctions Worked Against Tehran (And Why They Might Not Succeed With Moscow)

Suzanne Maloney March 24, 2014
In responding to global crisis or conflict, leaders must choose measures that have a reasonable chance of success. The United States and the European are applying sanctions against Russia in retaliation for the abrupt, forcible annexation of Crimea. Suzanne Maloney, a senior fellow with the Saban Center for Middle East Policy, writing for Brookings, details conditions for how sanctions pushed...

Spitzenkandidats: EU Parliament Elections Become Explosive

Christoph Pauly and Christoph Schult March 19, 2014
The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union, and the European Parliament plays a key role in deciding the president, the top post in Brussels. “But British officials are uneasy with the notion that the selection of the next head of the European Commission should be linked to the results of the European Parliament elections,” explain Christoph Pauly and Christoph Schult...

Ukraine: Goodbye Cold War, Hello Globalized Economy

Remi Piet March 18, 2014
As Russia tries to claim Crimea from Ukraine and influence politics of neighboring states, other countries are uncertain about how to proceed – and just how effective economic sanctions might be. Russia is a leading producer of oil and natural gas, but is also over-reliant on those revenues. Another unknown for Russia and supporters is just how long global markets will tolerate endorsement of...

Fig Leaf of Legitimacy

Nayan Chanda March 17, 2014
About 60 percent of the electorate turned out in Crimea for a special referendum; reports suggest that 95 percent voted to join Russia. Next, Russia will decide whether to annex the peninsula it passed to Ukraine in 1954. Most of the international community opposed the hurried election, especially after Russia dispatched troops and tanks to the area. “Among the undecided but leaning towards...

Putin’s Dangerous Game

Strobe Talbott March 11, 2014
Displeased by the removal of its ally in Ukraine, and contending a need to protect ethnic Russians wherever they live, Russia has dispatched troops to the neighboring state. The next step is redrawing Ukrainian borders by annexing Crimea under the guise of a hastily arranged election limited to the peninsula. The international community is unlikely to respond with military force, but could...