Commentary / World Aug 5, 2019
The West has problems, but so do Russia and China
by Peter Apps
Protests in Hong Kong and Russia show the limits of what many see in the West as autocratic power.
Commentary / Japan Jul 11, 2019
Abe's art of the deal with Russia
by Hidetoshi Azuma
Abe may have showcased his deal-making prowess, but the country has crossed the Rubicon without a clear strategy to secure peace with Russia.
Commentary / World Jun 19, 2019
Why are Putin and Xi going soft on protest?
by Leonid Bershidsky
The Russian and Chinese regimes are doing something new: not escalating in the face of protest.
Commentary / World Jun 12, 2019
by Nina L. Khrushcheva
Engaging a far superior strategist in his drive against the West may be a gamble that Putin — and Russia — soon regret.
Commentary / World Apr 9, 2019
Libya just one of Putin's many bets
by Leonid Bershidsky
The Kremlin doesn't have the luxury of choosing allies: It has to go with adventurers and risk-takers
Commentary / World Dec 24, 2018
Putin had a bad 2018; next year will be worse
by Leonid Bershidsky
Russia's economy has been weakened by sanctions and falling oil prices, and the president's popularity is slipping.
Commentary / Japan Nov 29, 2018
The catalyst behind Japan-Russia peace talks
by Yuki Tatsumi
Abe must tread carefully between maintaining Japan's diplomatic momentum with Russia while not appearing to acquiesce its international behavior elsewhere.
Commentary / World Nov 19, 2018
The environment and economy have become great power pawns
by Hal Brands
The new cold war has spread far from the geopolitical arena.
Commentary / Japan Sep 18, 2018
Putin's unacceptable peace treaty condition
by Kuni Miyake
The Russian president set a precondition Japan can't accept when he offered to negotiate a peace treaty before reaching a settlement on the Northern Territories.
Commentary / World Sep 18, 2018
Has Putin's popularity bubble burst?
by Nina L. Khrushcheva
The strongman's approval rating is dropping as Russians worry more about their futures.
Commentary / World Aug 4, 2018
The one man Putin can't get out of his head
by Joe Nocera
Bill Browder says renewed threats from Russia mean his efforts to punish its kleptocrats are working.
Commentary / World Aug 3, 2018
by Nina Khrushcheva
The U.S. president is betting away America's most precious asset — its global credit — and driving more countries toward Russia.