Georgia is Becoming Russia’s Outpost in the Caucasus. Can Europe Prevent This?

On September 1, the EU’s ultimatum to Georgia expired, threatening the suspension of visa-free travel unless controversial laws targeting NGOs and LGBT rights were repealed and repression against protesters ceased. The Georgian leadership not only ignored these demands but doubled down, while simultaneously seeking to restore ties with the U.S. and continuing to serve as a key hub for Russian sanctions evasion. The unfolding situation raises questions about Europe’s leverage, Washington’s stance, and the risks of Georgia drifting further into Moscow’s orbit.

Cosmopolitan “Belarusianness”: The Formation of Belarusian National Identity as a Factor of State and Regional Stability

In recent years, questions of national identity have become central to understanding political and social developments across the post-Soviet space. This report compares the Ukrainian and Belarusian experiences, showing how divergent perceptions of identity can lead to violent conflict, while also explaining why Belarus has thus far avoided such outcomes.

Russia’s Information and Hybrid War for the South Caucasus: Threats and Assurances of Friendship

Since the initialing of the peace treaty text between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the signing of the joint declaration by the two countries’ leaders in Washington on August 8, 2025, Russia has been escalating its information warfare in the South Caucasus. Using a “carrot and stick” approach, Moscow seeks to portray itself as a wronged party supposedly striving to improve relations, while simultaneously fueling escalation and preparing its own population for the possibility of conflict in the south.

Russian Buddhism Between the Kremlin and Tibet: Results of a Year of Change

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.

Russia’s Recognition Of The Taliban: Strategic Implications For Israel And The Wider Middle East

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.

Russian Views on Israel’s Decision on Striking Iran’s Nuclear Program

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.

Moscow’s Weakness Behind the Crisis With Baku

The events of June 27, in Yekaterinburg signify not just a mishandled law enforcement operation —they mark a potential turning point in post-Soviet regional order. The deaths of two ethnic Azerbaijani brothers during Russian police raids have exposed the limits of Moscow's traditional tools of influence and highlighted the growing assertiveness of its former allies.

Spontaneous Protests in Dagestan: Potential for Resistance or a Safety Valve?

Dagestan is one of the few Russian regions where grassroots protest activity remains persistent and visible, despite increasing pressure from the central government. These protests are driven by local grievances ranging from failing infrastructure to unresolved land disputes, and are typically fragmented, spontaneous, and low in impact. However, as this report demonstrates, under certain conditions, they can expose deeper systemic weaknesses and even catalyze broader unrest.

The Nuclear Dimensions of the War in Ukraine

Public "nuclear" fears associated with the war in Ukraine are largely related to the threat of tactical nuclear weapons use by Russia. However, the less visible "nuclear" dimension of the war—with more tangible impact—is the effect of the conflict on nuclear sites in Ukraine. This report explores how the conflict has placed Ukraine’s nuclear facilities at the center of a uniquely perilous dimension of modern warfare.

The Impact of the War in Ukraine on the South Caucasus: The End of “the Near Abroad” For Russia

The overall situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan has undergone substantial changes in recent years. Both are engaged in peace negotiations that involve numerous difficult decisions on both sides - from border demarcation to the future of regional infrastructure projects such as the Zangezur Corridor. On April 19, 2024, Armenia agreed to return four abandoned border villages to Azerbaijan as an initial step in border delimitation.