Commentary

After Georgia, we are on our way to a hostile climate in East-West relations Georgia’s ‘mini war’ may be over, but its implications will reverberate for years to come. Russian-Western relations will nosedive, and the East Europeans will push both NATO and the EU into adopting more hostile policies towards Russia. The US will also start to take the Russian challenge more seriously. A new ‘Cold War’ is not inevitable, but a hostile climate in East-West relations is now a certainty.
14 Aug 2008
RUssian troops GeorgiaTesting times; Georgia’s gamble forces Europeans to take a long and hard look at its collective security agreements As the conflict between Georgia and Russia unfolded in the Caucasus, the West found itself lacking any kind of meaningful riposte. In fact, the response from international bodies responsible for conflict management has been so timorous that it raises important questions regarding Europe’s collective security agreements.
13 Aug 2008
Kouchner Shakasvilii'We are Extremely Concerned': The EU and Georgia As European foreign ministers gather for an emergency meeting and the diplomacy to halt the violence in Georgia intensifies, we must take stock of the performance of the EU’s foreign policy in this conflict. The conclusions are tentative, but still unmistakable: yet again, Europe scores poorly.
11 Aug 2008
Russian tank OssetiaGeorgia-Russia Conflict Timeline (includes South Ossetia and Abkhazia) A timeline of the Georgia-Russia Conflict
11 Aug 2008
RUssian troops GeorgiaThe August 2008 South Ossetia Conflict: Revising the Status Quo Georgia's military strategy seems to have relied upon a delayed Russian military response, due to Putin's absence from Moscow, and likely predicated on the belief that President Medvedev would not take any action without Putin being present. This strategy was flawed. As a result, Tblisi could see a consolidation of Russian control over South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
11 Aug 2008
Georgia FlagA frozen conflict turns red hot in Georgia The outbreak of fighting between Russia and Georgia has brought Europe to one of the most dangerous moments in East-West relations since the end of the Cold War. And, if a ceasefire is not arranged in the next 24 hours, matters can get far worse. Europe’s ‘frozen conflicts’ are now red-hot.
8 Aug 2008
Turkish flagIstanbul bombings – perfect timing for conspiracy theorists Those responsible for the latest atrocity in Istanbul could well have struck to coincide with the prevailing political crisis in Turkey. It remains to be seen whether their action has made any impact.
28 Jul 2008
KaradzicSerbia Rejoins Mainstream Europe? Radovan Karadzic – one of the world’s most wanted war criminals – was arrested yesterday by the Serb authorities. It is a big triumph for international justice, but the legal process is only beginning.
22 Jul 2008
EU flagThe European Union after the Irish Referendum As the Irish reject the Lisbon Treaty, what are the options are left for the European Union as key member states seek ever closer union?
17 Jun 2008
European SecuritySeizing the opportunity for better NATO/EU relations Passage taken from the joint RUSI Transatlantic and European Security Programme study entitled 'NATO's Strategic and Operational Challenges'.
28 May 2008
Lord Robertson at RUSINATO’s Contribution to Conflict Prevention in Europe: Macedonia A speech by Rt Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Secretary General, NATO, 1999-2003) at the launch of Whitehall Paper 68 ‘Preventing War in Macedonia: Pre-emptive diplomacy in the 21st Century’.
14 Mar 2008
Turkish flagTurkey and Kurdistan: Where Next? The Turkish military incursion into Iraq has been declared a military success, but it will neither solve its internal problems nor contribute constructively to relations with the neighbouring Kurdistan region in northern Iraq.
5 Mar 2008
Putin and MedvedevRussian Election: The Questions Are Just Beginning Dmitry Medvedev – a polite, unassuming official who never ran for any elected office – was proclaimed as Russia's next president after the 2 March election. But beneath the coreography, there is much political uncertainty.
3 Mar 2008
Kosovo flagIs Kosovo Really Independent? Kosovo has declared independence, yet it has achieved anything but. The West’s acceptance of this new ‘status’, without safeguarding the rights of Kosovo’s minorities, will weaken the little moral authority it may have over Moscow and Beijing.
18 Feb 2008
EU Battlegroups MontageEUFOR Chad/CAR: A Logistical Litmus Test France has announced its willingness to contribute an additional 500 troops and about ten helicopters to the EUFOR Chad/CAR mission. Regardless, logistical issues loom large on the horizon and will provide a critical test for European Security and Defence Policy.
17 Jan 2008
Vladimir PutinRussia's Parliamentary Vote: An Election which Solves Nothing United Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, has swept the Russian parliamentary election. But the battle for power is only beginning: the critical moment will arrive in March next year, when Mr Putin steps down from the presidency.
3 Dec 2007
Turkish flagIs Invasion Inevitable? The Turkish Prime Minister has other constraints to hold him back, for the moment at least.
31 Oct 2007
RUSImotifThe UK Government Consultation Paper on War Powers: 25 October 2007 The UK Government has just launched a consultation on the use of War Powers and the Royal Perogative.
30 Oct 2007
EU Montage smallESDP implications of the reform treaty The European Security Programme looks into the implications of the upcoming Libson Treaty in the field of security and defence.
26 Oct 2007
Galileo Satellite Navigation SystemGalileo satellite navigation system off course? Will it end up in a blind alley?
12 Oct 2007
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