The Turkish-Russian Rapprochement: How Real? How Durable?
The recent strengthening of ties between Turkey and Russia may represent more of an economic marriage of convenience than a deeply rooted political alliance. On a number of important issues, particularly the Syrian conflict, the two nations have very different interests and priorities.
Nov 21, 2016 The National Interest
Sustaining Britain's Role in NATO After Brexit
In this period of geostrategic uncertainty about the future of the UK during its divorce from the EU, the U.S. should provide robust diplomatic and political support to ensure that Britain remains a major military power within the Atlantic Alliance.
Aug 4, 2016 The National Interest
The Growing Importance of Black Sea Security
The U.S. and NATO response to Russia's more assertive policy in Europe since 2014 has focused heavily on deterring possible Russian threats to the Baltic region. As allies take steps to strengthen defense of the Baltic region, they need to pay increased attention to enhancing security and deterrence in the Black Sea area.
Jul 11, 2016 U.S. News & World Report
Putin: Eyes Wide Shut
The Russia that the United States faces today is more assertive and more unpredictable—and thus, in many ways, more dangerous—than the Russia that the U.S. confronted during the latter part of the Cold War.
Apr 20, 2015 GlobalSecurity.org and The RAND Blog
NATO's Crucial Summit
President Obama can take action now to ensure the September NATO summit in Wales underscores transatlantic resolve and capability in the face of Russian aggression and provide the strong, decisive U.S. leadership NATO needs in this time of crisis.
Aug 15, 2014 CNN
NATO Needs a Southern Strategy
If NATO wants to avoid strategic irrelevance, it needs to give increasing attention to the threats from the Middle East and North Africa region. A southern strategy should draw on recent experience, such as NATO's intervention in Libya and the successful operation in Mali.
Feb 26, 2014 Epoch Times
How the West Can Help End the Violence in Ukraine
The Ukrainian crisis has taken a dangerous and deadly turn for the worse with violent clashes between protesters and Interior Ministry troops. The West should move quickly on an aid package conditioned on economic and political reform.
Feb 19, 2014 U.S. News & World Report
Preserving Ukraine's European Choice
The United States and the EU have a strong stake in keeping open a European option for Ukraine. A reorientation of Ukrainian policy back toward Russia would shift the strategic balance in Europe and have a negative impact on the prospects for democratic change on Europe's eastern periphery.
Dec 24, 2013 The RAND Blog and GlobalSecurity.org
A Not-So-Special Relationship?
While the House of Commons vote against Britain's participation in a military strike against Syria was largely attributable to short-term miscalculations on Cameron's part, it also reflects important long-term trends that could complicate U.S.-British ties and weaken the traditionally strong bonds between the two countries.
Sep 11, 2013 U.S. News & World Report
RAND Experts Q&A on Syria
There are increasing reports suggesting that President Obama will soon take military action against the Syrian government, perhaps targeting its chemical weapons facilities. Several RAND experts spoke with us about the latest developments.
Aug 30, 2013
Is Turkey Rethinking the Syrian Kurd Issue?
An autonomous Kurdish region that remains an integral part of Syria, even one dominated by the PYD (the Democratic Union, the largest and best organized Kurdish opposition party), would be far less dangerous than one dominated by forces affiliated with al Qaeda.
Aug 21, 2013 CNN
The Biggest Loser of Cairo's Coup: Turkey
The military coup deposing Egypt's first democratically elected president, Mohammed Morsi, has sparked an important shift in the regional balance of power in the Middle East. Morsi's ouster deals a strong blow to the Turkey-Qatar-Egypt “pro-change” axis and to Turkey's hopes of playing a larger role in the region.
Jul 19, 2013 U.S. News & World Report
Erdogan's Next Steps
Safeguarding Turkey's interests — and Erdogan's own political agenda — depends on Erdogan's willingness to adopt a more even-handed approach to his domestic opponents, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
Jun 28, 2013 Project Syndicate
Turkey's Perfect Storm
The spontaneous protests in Turkey, which began in Istanbul and have spread to over 70 Turkish cities, have raised serious questions about Turkey's political stability and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's leadership, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
Jun 14, 2013 U.S. News & World Report
Why It's No Longer the Chummy 1990s for Turkey, Israel
President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry are working hard to repair relations between Turkey and Israel and deserve credit for their efforts. But much has changed for both countries since they cooperated in the 1990s, and progress toward rapprochement will likely be slow.
Apr 8, 2013 Christian Science Monitor
Why Erdogan Wants Peace with the PKK
With the leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) now apparently ready to try to peacefully resolve differences with Turkey, the prospects that the uprising will come to an end have improved, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
Mar 27, 2013 Foreign Affairs
The Syrian Game Changer
The Obama administration should capitalize on recent international coordination, taking the lead in organizing an international coalition devoted to containing Syria's chemical-weapons arsenal, write F. Stephen Larrabee and Peter Wilson.
Feb 1, 2013 Project Syndicate
Taking Syria Seriously
The US needs a more activist, assertive policy toward Syria aimed at ending the conflict in such a way that bolsters regional stability and facilitates a peaceful democratic transition, write F. Stephen Larrabee and Wasif Syed.
Aug 27, 2012 Project Syndicate
The Turkish-Iranian Alliance That Wasn't
As pressures for greater democracy in the Middle East have intensified, Turkey and Iran have clashed more openly and each side has sought to expand its influence at the expense of the other, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
Jul 12, 2012 Foreign Affairs
Putin's NATO Dis: Cold Winds from Moscow
The decision by President Putin not to attend the NATO summit and the G-8 summit is a blow to the Obama administration's hopes of building closer ties to Russia and underscores that the effort to "reset" relations with Russia is likely to be slow and fraught with difficulties, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
May 17, 2012 Chicago Tribune
NATO's Shrinking Resources
At a time when the European Union faces mounting economic and political challenges, maintaining a strong, vibrant Atlantic alliance is more important than ever, write F. Stephen Larrabee and Peter A. Wilson.
May 16, 2012 NYTimes.com on May 16, 2012 and in International Herald Tribune
Russia Protests Are Overblown by West—Putin Is Here to Stay
As long as the pressure for greater transparency and political change remains limited to the middle class in Moscow and a few urban areas, its political impact is likely to be limited, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
Apr 17, 2012 Christian Science Monitor
Europe's Ukrainian Test
The EU should conclude the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with Ukraine only if the Yanukovych administration demonstrates clear commitment to European values, write F. Stephen Larrabee and Taras Kuzio.
Jun 30, 2011 Project Syndicate
Obama's Calculated Gamble on Libya Strategy
Pushing the European allies, especially Britain and France, to take more responsibility in managing crises would reduce the costs and burdens on the United States while providing an incentive for the Europeans to take defense more seriously, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
Apr 4, 2011 CNN
The Turkish Chimera
The Turkish model -- with its emphasis on secularism and democracy -- has obvious appeal in a region burdened by corrupt, autocratic, incompetent, and inefficient governments. But Turkey's historical experience and political evolution differ in important ways from Arab countries', writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
Mar 23, 2011 Project Syndicate
The US Midterm Elections and US-Turkish Relations
Some Turkish commentators have written off Obama as a lame duck and advised the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan government to begin reconsidering relations in the post-election period. However, foreign policy played virtually no role in the election, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
Nov 23, 2010 Hürriyet Daily News and Economic Review
Budget Cuts Are Cracking the West's Defenses
Washington would be wise to work closely with Britain and France to ensure that their budget cuts do not threaten how the allies will, together, address common threats and security challenges, write F. Stephen Larrabee and Peter A. Wilson.
Aug 17, 2010 Christian Science Monitor
Don't Lose Ukraine
United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Ukraine on July 4-5 provides an important opportunity to reassure Ukrainians that the U.S. remains committed to Ukraine's sovereignty and democratic evolution, write Taras Kuzio and F. Stephen Larrabee.
Jun 25, 2010 Project Syndicate
Building on Greek-Turkish Detente
Greece's high defense spending has contributed to its economic woes. Improvement in relations with Turkey could enable Greece to cut defense spending and make it easier to rescue an economy on the brink of bankruptcy, write F. Stephen Larrabee and Charles Ries.
May 10, 2010 Project Syndicate
Biden's Task in Eastern Europe: Reassurance
After the decision to cancel missile defense plans in Poland and the Czech Republic, the US needs to do more than damage control to soothe ties there, write F. Stephen Larrabee and Christopher Chivvis.
Oct 20, 2009 The Christian Science Monitor
Russia and the Perils of Personal Diplomacy
As President Obama takes part in his first U.S.-Russian summit, a good deal of media attention has focused on whether he will be able to establish good personal relations with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev. The preoccupation with personal relations between these two countries has a long tradition. But it has rarely proved successful.
Jul 6, 2009 NYTimes.com
Obama's Turkish Dilemma
President Obama's visit to Ankara this week highlights Turkey's growing strategic importance to the United States - and a high stakes dilemma for the President and for U.S. strategic interests, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
Apr 6, 2009 CNN
France's Creeping Reintegration
At the upcoming NATO summit in Strasbourg-Kehl, French President Sarkozy is expected to formally announce France's return to NATO's integrated military command, from which President de Gaulle withdrew France in 1966. The full reintegration of France into NATO, if confirmed, will remove an important irritant in U.S.-French relations and open up new possibilities for strengthening U.S.-European cooperation more broadly, writes Stephen Larrabee.
Mar 24, 2009 GlobalSecurity.org
Afghanistan: The Regional Solution
The Obama Administration's decision to commit another 17,000 troops to Afghanistan is unlikely to have an important effect unless it is part of a broader shift in U.S. and coalition strategy, write F. Stephen Larrabee and Julian Lindley-French.
Mar 4, 2009 CNN.com
A Trans-Atlantic Moment
The election of Barack Obama provides an important opportunity to revitalize the trans-Atlantic security partnership. This partnership has served both sides well in the past. But after eight years of deep ideological differences during the Bush administration, it is badly frayed and in need of new leadership and new vision, write F. Stephen Larrabee and Julian Lindley-French.
Feb 22, 2009 The Washington Times
Ukraine: The Next Crisis?
The Russian invasion of Georgia has sent shock waves throughout the West and the former Soviet space - especially Ukraine. Indeed, Ukraine could be the next potential crisis, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
Sep 7, 2008 Project Syndicate
Turkey's Second Chance
The recent decision by the Turkish Constitutional Court not to close the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) helped Turkey - and especially Prime Minister Tayyip Recep Erdogan - narrowly dodge a dangerous political bullet, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
Aug 24, 2008 Washington Times
Turkey's Broadening Crisis
Turkey is facing a domestic political crisis that not only threatens the country's internal stability but could weaken its ties to the West and exacerbate instability in the Middle East, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
Jul 25, 2008 International Herald Tribune
Georgia on Their Mind
As NATO heads toward its summit meeting in Bucharest on April 3-4, the question of NATO enlargement — especially whether to give Membership Action Plans, or MAPs, to Georgia and Ukraine — has re-emerged as a contentious issue, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
Mar 27, 2008 International Herald Tribune
Rebuilding Arms Control
Rebuilding Arms Control, in United Press International
Aug 10, 2007 United Press International
In Ukraine, Four Steps to Democracy
In Ukraine, Four Steps to Democracy, in Washingtonpost.com.
Jun 28, 2007 Washingtonpost.com
A War of Nerves in Turkey
A War of Nerves in Turkey in Project Syndicate (an association that distributes commentaries to 291 newspapers in 115 countries)
May 12, 2007 Project Syndicate
How Not to Promote American Missile Defense in Europe
Published commentary by RAND staff: How Not to Promote American Missile Defense in Europe, in Project Syndicate--an association that distributes commentaries to 291 newspapers in 115 countries.
Apr 27, 2007 Project Syndicate
Missile Defense: Avoiding a Crisis in Europe
Published commentary by RAND staff: Missile Defense: Avoiding a Crisis in Europe, in International Herald Tribune.
Mar 29, 2007 International Herald Tribune
C. Asia's Great Game
Published commentary by RAND staff: C. Asia's Great Game, in United Press International.
Mar 5, 2007 United Press International
America's Turkey Problem
Published commentary by RAND staff: America's Turkey Problem, in United Press International.
Feb 23, 2007 United Press International
Central Asia's Other 'Turkmenbashis'
Published commentary by RAND staff: Central Asia's Other 'Turkmenbashis', in Project Syndicate--an association that distributes commentaries to 291 newspapers in 115 countries.
Jan 15, 2007 Project Syndicate
Winning Back the Turks
Published commentary by RAND staff: Winning Back the Turks, in International Herald Tribune.
Nov 14, 2006 International Herald Tribune
Averting War with Iran
Published commentary by RAND staff: Averting War with Iran, in United Press International.
May 2, 2006 United Press International
Ukraine's New Politics
Published commentary by RAND staff: Ukraine's New Politics, in United Press International.
Apr 8, 2006 United Press International
Defusing the Iranian Crisis
Published commentary by RAND staff: Defusing the Iranian Crisis, in the Orange County Register.
Mar 9, 2006 Orange County Register
Let's Avoid Another Trans-Atlantic Feud
Published commentary by RAND staff: Let's Avoid Another Trans-Atlantic Feud, in International Herald Tribune.
Jan 13, 2006 International Herald Tribune
Revitalizing U.S.-Turkey Relations
The White House meeting between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Bush today provides an important opportunity to revitalize U.S.-Turkish relations, badly frayed by the American-led invasion of Iraq
Jun 8, 2005 Washington Times
Western Strategy for Ukraine
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Feb 10, 2005 United Press International
Outside View: Russia's Caucasus Gambit
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Nov 22, 2004 United Press International
'Old Europe' and the New NATO
When it comes to the defense of core Western values, the record of the new entrants to NATO is encouraging. It suggests that 'Old Europe' may have something to learn from 'New Europe,' writes Stephen Larrabee in an commentary
Feb 18, 2003 San Diego Union-Tribune
Turkey Walks a Tightrope Over Iraq Issues
commentaries by RAND Staff: insightful commentaries on current events, published in newspapers, magazines and journals worldwide.
Jan 17, 2003 Newsday
Mr. Bush and Herr Schroeder, Tear Down This Wall
Published commentary by RAND staff.
Oct 30, 2002 Los Angeles Times
