Russia Matters

Moscow’s military intervention in Afghanistan lasted nearly a decade (1979-1989). It cost the USSR dearly in blood, treasure and power, but imparted lessons as well. Can some of these prove useful to the U.S. today?

William Burns’ new book describes his warnings to the Bush administration that pushing for NATO membership for Georgia and Ukraine would spur Moscow to use armed force in the former and to meddle in Crimea and eastern Ukraine.

Ten years ago, Washington offered Moscow a “reset” in bilateral relations. Within a few years, the relationship soured again. Why? We’ve compiled insights from nearly a dozen eminent Russia experts.

The 1987 INF Treaty now faces an existential threat that could lead to intermediate-range missiles targeting the entire European continent. Three experts weigh in on the consequences and prospects.

Graham Allison discusses the gulf between Western governments and their publics in perceptions of Russia as a threat and other takeaways from the Munich Security Conference.

Three authors draw on field work and other research to assess the motives, prospects and threats linked to Central Asian jihadists, including the thousands who joined Islamic State and other violent extremists in the Middle East.

Russia and China are two key players in a new Eurasia. In the book reviewed here, Bruno Maçães argues that this supercontinent is the most salient feature of an emerging new world order.

Russia, according to U.S. officials, has violated the INF Treaty. The U.S. is on the verge of violating, if it has not already done so. What’s needed now is a new treaty focusing on warheads instead of delivery systems.

Relations between Moscow and Beijing have been growing increasingly cozy, but what’s stronger—the convergence of their grievances or the divergence in their national interests? Three experts debate.

Since the worsening of relations with the West in 2014, the Kremlin has increasingly adopted a “mobilization state” approach, turning to any available foreign-policy levers. Gangsters are no exception.