Analytics

The Euro-Atlantic region is characterized by growing divergence between different actors. Russia - West political relations are in deep freeze. The factor of Donald Trump and new populism both in the US and Europe change profoundly the tenets of liberal international order, which until recently was taken for granted by the West political establishment. Business as usual will not been restored in the interaction between the two sides of the Atlantic. This may be lamented but this new reality can also be used to promote long term interests of all players. The author suggests what steps can be taken to minimize the sharp tensions of the transition period and to maximize opportunities to escape the dangerous zone of confrontation.

The author views the Arctic region as a vital resource for Russia; its importance will only grow. There is awareness, that the North is not a dead load. The shock therapy of the 1990s undermined the development of the North, millions of people left, cargo transportation dropped dramatically. Along with production increase and infrastructure creation it is time to accelerate the social development of the Arctic zone. It is not feasible to use rotation system only. New localities should be created and the existing ones – modernized. The global warming stimulates the demand for the Northern Sea Route, due to its advantages over other routes. It is expedient to start broad social movement «Arctic exploration».

From a strange word in 2015, neologism «Brexit» turned the next year for Russians as well as for many other nations into a well-understood expression, almost a house-hold name. The looming exit of Britain from the EU long time ago ceased to be a matter of specialized studies. It has acquired many aspects, meanings and interpretations.

How to reduce risks of military confrontation? Certainly not by two means that often are suggested, always separately, because they are diametrically different. The first one is building or restoring trust. Trust is, of course, good and desirable. But it has its weak spots. 

End of the year provides a great opportunity to look back, draw lessons from the past and think about the future. With 2016 came a lot of anxiety together with positive expectations. Two major events are to be pointed out. Russia’s obtaining the status of a great power on the global arena was the first significant fact and the most important political dominant for the country. The second global event was the US presidential elections and Donald Trump’s becoming president of the United States with his promise «to make America great again». Thus the two countries, which are thought to have been ideological opponents and rivals for global leadership throughout the second half of the 20^th century, declared the idea of regaining their former greatness.

Many people in Russia are inclined to perceive any mass anti-government protests as the next «color revolution». USA and their allies did make a lot to form such a perception of the world. But the wave of mass protests in South-Eastern Europe in 2013-2015 revealed that technologies of «color revolutions» can be used not only by external forces, but also by local opposition for attaining its own goals.

The European Union, in contrast to Russia, Canada, USA, Norway and Greenland (Danish territory outside the EU) does not have the Arctic Ocean coast line, but is invariably connected to the Arctic geographically, historically and economically, considering itself responsible for the destiny of the region. In recent years the EU policy in the Arctic has been expanding and deepening, and resulted in the Integrated EU policy for the Arctic, presented by the European Commission on April 27, 2016.

Presented by EU Commission on June 7, 2016, the initiative of «new partnership» with African states and neighboring countries provoked controversial reaction of European public. The main problem of the «ambitious plan» is its realization. Will Commission succeed in attracting finances of member-states and private investors for achievement of the goals set or will the EU have to cut the development policy budget to stop the migration inflows to Europe?

After nearly a decade of the UK's sharp criticism of Russia's policy, there are finally signs that the British government may be willing to engage with Russia once again.

Britain’s decision to modernize its nuclear forces is likely to provoke international debate on nuclear non-proliferation and the role of the British nuclear deterrent within NATO.

The Brexit referendum asked the British to give a simple answer to a complex question. Unfortunately, the results of the referendum will not be so simple to sort out, and for Russia, too.