In S-300s We Trust

In S-300s We Trust

When Russian military chief Sergei Shoigu announced this week Moscow’s decision to send the modern S-300 air defense system to Syria there was a barely contained coldness in his voice. General Shoigu, Russia’s minister of defense, wasn’t threatening anyone in particular. But it was clear from his stony demeanor that Russia has had enough of foreign bad faith and…

President Putin’s Visit to India Will be a Moment of Reckoning for Both Countries

President Putin’s Visit to India Will be a Moment of Reckoning for Both Countries

The Russian leader’s upcoming trip to India places the prerogative for deciding the future course of their strategic partnership squarely in his host’s lap. President Putin will visit India later this week to participate in the annual India-Russia Summit, though this year’s event is the most significant in recent memory. Both Great Powers have enjoyed…

Fragility of Middle East Alliances Becomes Ever More Apparent

Fragility of Middle East Alliances Becomes Ever More Apparent

Three recent developments lay bare the fragility of Middle Eastern alliances and a rebalancing of their priorities: the Russian-Turkish compromise on an assault on the rebel-held Syrian region of Idlib, the fate of troubled Abu Dhabi airline Ettihad, and battles over reconstruction of Syria. These developments highlight the fact that competition among Middle Eastern rivals…

The Russian Far East Is the Next Frontier for Multipolarity

The Russian Far East Is the Next Frontier for Multipolarity

Despite being a far-flung and underdeveloped region, the Russian Far East might turn out to be the country’s most promising one if several visionary connectivity proposals are implemented. Russia has been prioritizing the development of its far-flung and long-neglected Far Eastern region for the past three years now ever since it commenced the now-annual Eastern…