Soviet Union

commentary

Putin Is Following Brezhnev to a Dead End

Four decades ago, Leonid Brezhnev led the USSR into what many Soviets called the “era of stagnation.” Vladimir Putin is taking Russia down a similar path. The USSR tried to recover by turning to reform-minded leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, but too late. The USSR collapsed. Could Russia?

William Courtney @courtneywmh, Mark Stalczynski

commentary

The West and Russia the Day After

In the 1990s, after the breakup of the USSR, the West adapted to and helpfully influenced the birth of 15 new republics. If liberalizing change comes anew, the West may seek to help Russia heal itself for the long term.

William Courtney @courtneywmh

commentary

If Regime Change Were to Come to Moscow

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.

William Courtney @courtneywmh

commentary

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

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.

William Courtney @courtneywmh, Kenneth Yalowitz

commentary

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

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.

William Courtney @courtneywmh, Howard J. Shatz @HowardJShatz

commentary

Arms Control Held Hostage

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.

William Courtney @courtneywmh

commentary

COVID-19 Crisis Could Spur Post-Soviet Fixes

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.

Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, et al.

commentary

Return of Nuclear Doomsday

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.

William Courtney @courtneywmh

commentary

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

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.

Kenneth Yalowitz, William Courtney @courtneywmh

commentary

Is This the Beginning of a New Cold War?

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.

Ali Wyne

blog

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

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.

commentary

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

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.

Austin Long

announcement

Jeremy R. Azrael Scholarship Supports Students from Former Soviet States

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.