According to the 2024 World Factbook, Latvia ranked first among European countries in terms of depopulation, Lithuania ranked second, and Estonia ranked fifth, behind Poland and Romania. The numbers really do look like a demographic catastrophe.
PSCRP
This digest reviews five recent contributions to the study of the post-Soviet space. It includes Dinissa Duvanova’s argument on the decline of populism under authoritarian consolidation, Northwestern University’s new course on post-Soviet politics and the Russia–Ukraine war, Nargiz Nagiyeva’s application of postcolonial theory, Hardy and Vlad’s analysis of Russian-backed para-states, and DiPirro and Linderman’s critique of Western policy toward Georgia. Together, these works illuminate the evolving interplay of ideology, authoritarianism, colonial legacies, geopolitical strategy, and Western engagement in the region.
Since regaining its independence in 1991, Ukraine has periodically experienced profound social and political changes that have been closely linked to linguistic identities, ethnicity, and religious aspects, among others. Concurrent with these developments, the Russian aggression against Ukraine since 2014 and the subsequent full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war since February 2022 have precipitated, engendered, and brought to the fore profound changes and transformations in the internal balance of ethno-national relations.
Buddhism, with its deep historical roots in Russia and as part of the country’s religious foundation, is undergoing a process of transformation and adaptation to contemporary socio-political realities. Alongside the revival of interest, new challenges are emerging in the form of various types of conflicts. These conflicts affect both relations within Russian Buddhism itself and the interaction of Buddhist communities with state institutions and other religious groups.
A trilateral meeting of the leaders of the United States, Azerbaijan, and Armenia is anticipated in Washington on August 8. The agenda encompasses potential reconciliation between Baku and Yerevan, as well as a possible declaration concerning Azerbaijan's admission to the Abraham Accords.
What are the reasons for not conflating these two processes?
In July 2025, the PSCR program focused on extensively analyzing various aspects of Russia’s foreign and internal politics, while also keeping an eye on developments in Central Asia and Moldova.
In July 2025, Russia became the first permanent member of the UN Security Council to officially recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. This landmark decision followed years of gradual diplomatic engagement and reflected shifting geopolitical priorities in Moscow. The move carries significant implications for regional security, international law, and the balance of power across Central and South Asia.
June is not only the end of the academic year but also the end of the “analytical year” for many research centers. And sometimes—as happened with the report we are presenting, The German Marshall Fund—this is a summary of the research results for several years at once. This report could serve as a model for considering industry issues in the context of political influence.
As tensions escalate between Iran and Israel, the regional implications extend beyond the immediate theater of conflict. This report examines the strategic calculus of Muslim-majority states bordering Iran to the northeast—particularly in Central and South Asia—which have thus far resisted alignment with Tehran’s most confrontational positions. Focusing on Pakistan's response, the analysis explores the geopolitical, sectarian, and domestic constraints shaping these countries' cautious stance toward Iran’s regional ambitions.
The current article provides a glimpse into Russia’s reaction and comprehension of the 12-day war in the Middle East.
Israel and the United States targeted Iran’s nuclear program to reduce the threat to the nuclear nonproliferation regime. However, Russian experts believe that this approach also carries the risk of favoring military force over diplomatic solutions.