The wildfires and heat wave that recently ravaged central Russia brought climate change to the forefront of the country’s domestic agenda and provide the Kremlin with an opportunity to prove its commitment to energy efficiency as well as economic modernization.
The Kremlin’s decision not to nominate Kaliningrad Governor Georgy Boos to serve a second term was a response to large scale popular demonstrations and the complaints of the opposition.
If Russia wants to be a principal security provider and peace guarantor in the CIS space, it will need to refocus its strategy away from resisting NATO's drive and U.S. deployments and toward conflict prevention and conflict resolution.
The young urban Russians who took part in wildfire rescue efforts after the authorities proved inefficient and unprepared are the genuine force for modernization and democratization in the country.
A year and a half into the “reset,” the partnership with Russia remains a challenging but indispensable one for the United States. Engaging Russia is crucial to U.S. success on issues ranging from nuclear arms control to climate change.
Resolving the conflict over Moldova’s breakaway region of Transdnestr would have wide-reaching positive implications for Russia, the EU, and the United States, but this opportunity will be lost if the issue is not addressed in the near future.
The Russian wildfires provide an opportunity for the country's leadership to increase domestic awareness about their new commitments to combating climate change while helping move international agreements forward.
The Russian government’s poor response to the wildfires will further widen the chasm separating the nation’s authorities from society.
In spite of widespread criticism of Moscow’s handling of the crisis, the forest fires burning across Russia have provided Prime Minister Putin with another chance to boost his personal popularity by presenting himself as a strong, tough leader.
The Russian government should use soft power to win back sympathy from the Georgian population in preparation for the end of Georgian President Saakashvili’s term in office in 2013.














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