Soviet Union

Russia
commentary
If Regime Change Were to Come to Moscow
William Courtney @courtneywmh
Mar 18, 2022
The Moscow Times
Strains in Russia over the war in Ukraine and punishing economic sanctions could spark regime change in Moscow. Although prospects for this are uncertain, the West might be prudent to begin considering how to deal with any new government.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Summit Gives Biden Chance to Nudge Post-Soviet States Toward Democracy
William Courtney @courtneywmh, Kenneth Yalowitz
Sep 20, 2021
The Hill
President Biden may invite Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine to his “summit for democracy” in December. By both praising and nudging these imperfect democracies to do more to achieve their democratic potential, Biden could give his agenda more meaning.
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Politics and Government
commentary
How America Can Help Re-Shape the Post-Soviet Countries
William Courtney @courtneywmh, Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz
May 17, 2021
The National Interest
For the post-Soviet states, development could bring better living standards and social conditions and promote more stable politics and inclusive governance. The West would make the most difference by focusing on mid-ranked states, especially those undertaking reforms.
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Arms Proliferation and Control
commentary
Arms Control Held Hostage
William Courtney @courtneywmh
Dec 28, 2020
The Hill
President-elect Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have wisely promised to extend the 2010 New START Treaty, which cuts long-range nuclear arms. The two leaders may also pursue a broader follow-on accord, but frigid U.S.-Russian relations could put this out of reach. Progress on arms control often comes when political winds are warmer.
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Political Reform Movements
commentary
COVID-19 Crisis Could Spur Post-Soviet Fixes
Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, Kenneth Yalowitz
May 8, 2020
The Moscow Times
Much of the post-Soviet space remains afflicted with authoritarian rule, inefficient economies, corruption, and regional tensions. The COVID-19 crisis could prod countries to address key issues, but they will need help. Targeted Western aid could help willing countries make progress.
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Nuclear Deterrence
commentary
Return of Nuclear Doomsday
William Courtney @courtneywmh
Dec 12, 2019
The Hill
Elder statesmen are again warning of nuclear dangers. But have they risen? Maybe, but they remain only faint echoes of Cold War era risks, creating an opportunity to deliberately and carefully take steps to avoid future risks.
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commentary
How Can the United States Support Democracies in the Former USSR?
Kenneth Yalowitz, William Courtney @courtneywmh
Sep 16, 2019
The National Interest
The West has only modest capacity to influence circumstances in most post-Soviet countries. In Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Moldova, however, the West has the potential to make a real difference by supporting civil society and improved governance.
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China
commentary
Is This the Beginning of a New Cold War?
Ali Wyne
Dec 12, 2018
ChinaFile
It has become increasingly common for observers of world affairs to contend that the United States and China have either entered into or are poised to embark on a new Cold War. While the contours of a long-term contest between Washington and Beijing are undoubtedly forming, especially in the economic realm, the analogy is problematic.
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Soviet Union
blog
Studying Soviets, Not Sex: Margaret Mead's Research at RAND
Mar 7, 2018
Anthropologist Margaret Mead studied Russian culture and attitudes toward authority while at RAND from 1948 to 1950. To accomplish what she called culture cracking, Mead looked to Russian emigres, books, journals, archives, and films since the Soviet Union was inaccessible.
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Nuclear Deterrence
commentary
The Rorschach Test of New Nuclear Powers: Analogies for North Korean Command and Control
Austin Long
Oct 6, 2017
War on the Rocks
Is Pyongyang more like modern Islamabad or Soviet Moscow? The answer must draw on the expertise of scholars of civil-military relations as well as nuclear strategy. Even then analogy is only a starting point—North Korea may be more or less like previous cases, but will certainly be unique.
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Soviet Union
announcement
Jeremy R. Azrael Scholarship Supports Students from Former Soviet States
Jun 19, 2014
The Jeremy R. Azrael Scholarship ensures that the graduate school can provide a full scholarship each year to a first-year student from a former Soviet state.
Read More »

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Soviet Union

If Regime Change Were to Come to Moscow

Summit Gives Biden Chance to Nudge Post-Soviet States Toward Democracy

How America Can Help Re-Shape the Post-Soviet Countries

Arms Control Held Hostage

COVID-19 Crisis Could Spur Post-Soviet Fixes

Return of Nuclear Doomsday

How Can the United States Support Democracies in the Former USSR?

Is This the Beginning of a New Cold War?

Studying Soviets, Not Sex: Margaret Mead's Research at RAND

The Rorschach Test of New Nuclear Powers: Analogies for North Korean Command and Control

Jeremy R. Azrael Scholarship Supports Students from Former Soviet States

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