Russian Separatism Problem: the Protest Movement in the Republic of Altai

In recent months, the Republic of Altai—a remote region in southern Siberia—has become an unexpected center of political unrest in Russia. The arrest of local activist Aruna Arna has drawn attention to growing tensions between Moscow’s centralized rule and regional demands for autonomy, revealing deeper social, ethnic, and environmental grievances simmering across Russia’s peripheries.

Russia, Kazakhstan, and the West: A Fragile Balance in Central Asia

Kazakhstan’s predicament is unenviable. The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine shattered the fragile balance it had maintained between East and West. Suddenly, neutrality became harder to sustain. Kazakhstan’s political and economic ties to Russia are deep, unavoidable, and in some cases coercive.

Diplomacy of Central Asian and South Caucasus States in Summer–Autumn 2025: Multivector Foreign Policy in Action

The core element in the foreign policy of post-Soviet countries in Central Asia and the South Caucasus is so-called multivectoralism: maintaining relations with multiple global actors without binding themselves exclusively to any single one. These states seek to balance ties with the China–Russia axis and the collective West (including the USA and the EU—although it should be noted that the internal fragility of this grouping has never been as evident as it is now).

Kyrgyzstan: Still Moscow’s Client (Wooed by Beijing)

At the United Nations General Assembly this year, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov did not disguise where Bishkek’s loyalties lie. In his speech, he castigated Western sanctions on Kyrgyz banks and reaffirmed that his country would not sever ties with Russia. That intervention was not just diplomatic theater. It was a blunt reminder that Kyrgyzstan’s leadership views Moscow not as an optional partner but as the central axis of its political and economic survival.

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expired, threatening the suspension of visa-free travel unless controversial laws targeting NGOs and LGBT rights were repealed and repression against protesters ceased.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.