Kazakhstan Under Russian Pressure: Why the West Is Not an Alternative

Kazakhstan, now an independent state and formerly one of the republics of the USSR, has the longest land border with Russia. It stretches for 7,600 kilometers, a significant distance that necessitates Kazakhstan's constant balancing act in Russian-Kazakh relations. The war in Ukraine temporarily weakened Russian influence in Central Asia, but now things are returning to their previous state.

Russian Policies During the Israeli-Hamas War Since October the 7th

While Russia may have gained politically from the war – because of the close US-Israeli relationship—its influence in the conflict was quite limited and the deterioration of Russian-Israeli relations may yet change the Israeli position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Russia and Africa: Power Play with Limited Resources

Receding on some fronts, the West seems to invite Russia to strain its forces and make mistakes. African leaders, however, are pragmatic: they are no worse than Moscow at calculating benefits and costs, and therefore will not refrain from turning proximity to Russia into a bargaining chip with Western partners. The war in Ukraine and sanctions are limiting Russian resources, making business difficult for Russian companies worldwide.

Gagauz Factor in Moldovan Politics: Russia Versus the EU

Gagauzia’s elites, who remain in Russia’s sphere of influence, resist efforts by incumbent President Maia Sandu’s PAS party to bring Moldova into the EU and away from Russian influence.

BESA Post-Soviet Conflicts Research Digest No. 7 (April 2024)

In April 2024, the PSCR program’s materials covered the conflictual dynamics in and around Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Estonia.

Dangerous Liaisons: Iran’s Anxieties and Armenian Pivot to the West

If the US and the EU require other countries to halt their ties with Russia while these ties have nothing to do with security issues, it would be logical to expect a more coherent approach from the West: it should set the same conditions for Armenia if the Caucasian nation wants to pivot to the West.

Arming Ukraine: How Russia Forces US and EU to Foot the African Kingdom’s Bill

Morocco, like many other African countries, maintained neutrality regarding arms supplies to Ukraine. The kingdom became the first African state to provide military aid to Kyiv. Once the shipment of all purchased armoured vehicles is completed, Morocco will rank second after Poland in supplying combat tanks since the start of the conflict.

Municipal Ethnopolitics, Reputation and Party System: The Case of Estonia

The events that occurred on 26 March 2024, in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, might predetermine the political development of the entire country for months and even years to come. 41 city council deputies out of 79 voted no confidence in the city mayor Mihhail Kõlvart. The required majority is 40, so Kõlvart, who also chairs the Center Party, lost his seat.

Not Yet a Peace Treaty: Understanding the Border Delimitation Agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan

Technically, by agreeing to return to the demarcation of the borders according to the Alma-Ata Declarations, the Armenian side validates the Azerbaijani thesis of the “just war”. The demarcation agreement will lead to the departure of the Russian border guards from the Armenian side – they were stationed there by request of Yerevan because it was afraid of military escalation.

Russia vs. Ukraine: From Interstate to Interethnic Conflict

In an attempt to change the vector of the Russian-Ukrainian confrontation, President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree “On the territories of the Russian Federation historically inhabited by Ukrainians” and submitted it to the National Security and Defense Council. The Ukrainian leadership concludes that to end the war, it is necessary to destroy the Russian Federation as an empire seeking expansion and revenge, using a combination of military and propaganda means.

PSCRP