Municipal elections held in Russia on October 11 proved that most Russian voters seem to feel that elections have no direct bearing on their lives and that the authorities feel no impetus to institute change in the current Russian party system.
The key to success in the security field is not a combination of individual players like the G20, but rather sustainable joint leadership working together in tailor-made coalitions.
Secretary Clinton travels to Russia to discuss nuclear disarmament, Iran, Afghanistan, and human rights. The United States has made a good beginning with the Russian leadership, but the relationship is still fragile.
Russia and the United States are not likely to come to agreement on the best way to approach Iran’s nuclear ambitions any time soon. This issue is likely to be at the top of Secretary Clinton’s agenda during her time in Moscow.
The United States and Russia need a coordinated approach to Iranian nuclear ambitions, where sanctions and opportunities become incentives pushing and pulling Iran toward a solution beneficial for both global security and Iran’s national interest.
Better protection of U.S. forces and allies against the Iranian missile threat is reason enough to welcome the shift in U.S. missile defense policy. Improving the prospects for future progress in reducing the threat from Russia is icing on the cake.
The current political system in Russia is a hybrid of democracy and authoritarianism, or an “overmanaged democracy,” where the elements of authoritarianism dominate democratic ones. The system seems stable on the surface, but is in fact very fragile.
Under Russian President Medvedev, the Kremlin’s efforts to develop and execute concrete solutions to Russia’s many challenges have been replaced by a constant stream of polemical sound bites and vague slogans.
The United States must look beyond short-term goals if it hopes to maintain its economic vitality in Asia. Its regional stake will be challenged by China, whose relative rise has been accelerated by its effective response to the global crisis.
Deterrence challenges in the Middle East may open the door for NATO to play a constructive role in enhancing security and stability in the region.














Stay connected to the Global Think Tank with Carnegie's smartphone app for Android and iOS devices