The heady optimism many in the West felt about the prospect for partnership with Russia in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union has since dissipated. Masha Lipman and Dmitri Trenin from the Carnegie Moscow Center shared their thoughts on President Putin's domestic and foreign policies and the course he has charted for Russia.
Mark Medish, vice president for studies, took part in a debate sponsored by Intelligence Squared U.S. to argue that Russia is not becoming the United States' enemy again.
Vladimir Putin's open attempts to reassert Russia's position as a world power have been met with trepidation from the international community. Further, Russia faces domestic constraints, both economic and military, that will complicate Putin's efforts.
As political instability continues to plague the Iraqi government, a more inclusive process that includes both groups outside the government inside Iraq and Syria and Iran is needed.
The Justice Department appointed the first-ever national export control coordinator to oversee a new focus on people who export weapons technologies to foreign countries. Sharon Squassoni discusses the significance of this appointment on NPR's All Things Considered.