In the Thick of It
A blog on the U.S.-Russia relationshipCold War 2.0 Is Dangerous Distraction From Vastly Greater Threats to West
Russia Matters’ weekly analytical digest did not come out Dec. 24 or Dec. 31 because of the winter holidays in the U.S., but here is a roundup of notable Russia-related commentary published since our last edition of the Russia Analytical Report—beginning with Anatol Lieven’s compelling argument that Western leaders must address the causes of domestic discontent instead of demonizing Russia and China in a new cold war.
I. U.S. and Russian priorities for the bilateral agenda
New Cold War/saber rattling:
“Western Nations Are Repeating the Mistakes of 1914,” Anatol Lieven, The National Interest, 12.22.18
Nuclear arms control:
“Is there a glimmer of hope for the INF Treaty?” Steven Pifer, Brookings, 12.27.18
“Arms Control and the Aging Process,” Michael Krepon, Arms Control Wonk, 12.24.18
Counterterrorism:
Conflict in Syria:
“Trump abandons a mission that was working,” David Ignatius, The Washington Post, 12.19.18
Elections interference:
“Mueller's Report Will Be a Bore,” Holman W. Jenkins Jr., Wall Street Jenkins, 01.01.19
“Russia's Information Warfare,” Renee DiResta, New York Times, 12.17.18.
U.S.-Russian relations in general:
“Time to Get Out of Afghanistan,” Robert Kaplan, New York Times, 01.01.19
“A look into the crystal ball for Jan. 1, 2020,” David Ignatius, The Washington Post, 01.01.19
II. Russia’s relations with other countries
Russia’s general foreign policy and relations with “far abroad” countries:
“The End of Europe?” Thomas L. Friedman, New York Times, 12.18.18
Ukraine:
III. Russia’s domestic policies
Domestic politics, economy and energy:
“Putin’s Courtiers: How Sanctions Have Changed Russia’s Economic Policy,” Alexandra
Prokopenko, Carnegie Moscow Center, 12.20.18
Security and intelligence:
“Putin’s Keystone Spies,” Yulia Latynina, New York Times, 12.17.18
Illustration: "The Haymarket Riot" by Harper's Weekly, in the public domain.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.