http://rusi.org/ web@rusi.org en-us Copyright 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C48A3FDC319A3B/ 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. August 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C48A2C7F4BDC36/ 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. August 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C48A0B419E4BCA/ 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. August 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C48A08074B93E4/ A timeline of the Georgia-Russia Conflict August 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C48A072E180F06/ 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. August 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C489C7233E0E3A/ 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. August 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C488DF47C136A0/ 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. July 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C488611CDABBB4/ 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. July 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C48577A840039A/ 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? June 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C483D752727A12/ Passage taken from the joint RUSI Transatlantic and European Security Programme study entitled 'NATO's Strategic and Operational Challenges'. May 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C47DAC6B0B98CE/ 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’. March 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C47CEC491C191C/ 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. March 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C47CBEBC7124B4/ 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. March 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C47B9782C8AAFD/ 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. February 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C478F2F9354608/ 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. January 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C4753E5994E291/ 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. December 2007 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C47285E8959CA5/ The Turkish Prime Minister has other constraints to hold him back, for the moment at least. October 2007 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C47275D48D1C3C/ The UK Government has just launched a consultation on the use of War Powers and the Royal Perogative. October 2007 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C47220147C7A2F/ The European Security Programme looks into the implications of the upcoming Libson Treaty in the field of security and defence. October 2007 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C470FA2094C263/ Will it end up in a blind alley? October 2007 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C470E2BE88E100/ Au revoir to old dreams of a 'Paris-Moscow axis'? October 2007 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C4703A8964E29B/ Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to be further consolidating his power beyond his term as President. However, the security and stability such continuity would provide may, in fact, prove illusory. October 2007 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C46EAA5326BE19/ Putin has appointed a prime-minister with no power-base, perhaps in order to maintain his own power when he leaves office. September 2007 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C462F17BB5A9C3/ Boris Yeltsin's legacy, although important, has created the problems which the world faces with Russia today. Yeltsin was a great man, who also left a great deal of problems. April 2007 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C4551D40D18091/ Kathleen Durkin analyses the new White Paper on German Security Policy and the Future of the Bundeswehr (October 2006) November 2006 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C4551D32058295/ Zehra Dislioglu analyses the implications of the recent parliamentary vote in France on the Armenian 'genocide' bill (October 2006) November 2006 http://rusi.org/research/studies/european/commentary/rss/ref:C4533AB90732C9/ This article appeared in the Autumn 2006 issue of 'Europe's World' October 2006