Europe & Central Asia

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Jun 9 , 2022

Op-Ed

NATO membership for Sweden and Finland undoubtedly has the power to change the security architecture in Europe. Often overlooked, however, are the potentially significant consequences in a much different region—the Arctic. Inclusion of the Nordic states in the NATO alliance would mean that all members of the Arctic Council—except Russia—will

Defense & Security

May 24 , 2022

Policy Brief

The efforts by Turkey to block Sweden and Finland from becoming a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization have led to confusion and frustration within the alliance. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan voiced Turkey’s opposition to NATO expansion, and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) followed with similar remarks.

May 23 , 2022

Op-Ed

Ever since Vladimir Putin assumed leadership, the world and especially Europe have been watching nervously how Russia may act given its position as a dominant energy supplier (see the Appendices for information on Russia’s key oil and gas importers and main pipelines). The first time Europe literally held its breath

May 16 , 2022

Op-Ed

Chaos and instability have always been fertile ground for organized crime and criminal networks typically operating in Eastern Europe. The conflict in Ukraine is a golden opportunity for nefarious groups to exploit desperate and vulnerable people weary of death and destruction. It is no coincidence that the rise and empowerment

Apr 5 , 2022

Op-Ed

When Israel President Isaac Herzog visited Turkey in early March, it was a victory of sorts for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who welcomed his Israeli counterpart with open arms. The president and his foreign policy team had worked diligently for the past couple of months to make this moment

Mar 31 , 2022

Podcast

In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Colin Clarke describes how Ukraine has become a center of gravity for foreign fighters and mercenaries and provides a background for those joining the legion. He explains the logistical, organizational, and operational challenges waiting for them on the battlefield and discusses whether their participation

Mar 25 , 2022

Podcast

In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Richard Falk discusses the position of international law and United Nations vis a vis the Ukraine conflict and ongoing humanitarian crisis. He talks about plausible solutions to minimize human suffering and evaluates two sides’ positions for a potential ceasefire or peace deal. He concludes

Mar 9 , 2022

Podcast

  In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Paul Poast elaborates on his disagreement with John Mearsheimer’s arguments on the West’s responsibility in the Ukraine crisis. He also explains potential scenarios on how the war might end and how these scenarios interplay with Putin’s endgame in the conflict. Dr. Poast continues

Mar 7 , 2022

Podcast

In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Matthew Light talks about Russian president Putin’s purpose in the invasion, how to complicate his aims, and the lessons to take away from the crisis. Dr. Light also provides insights into NATO’s unity and enlargement plans, security in the Baltic region, and the former

Feb 26 , 2022

Op-Ed

Putin made clear that his goal is to absorb all of Ukraine, effectively re-unifying a key part of the old Soviet Union. Undoubtedly, Putin believes absorbing Ukraine -- its resources, economy, and over 40 million people -- will increase Russia's relative power and enable still more bold geopolitical expansion in

Feb 24 , 2022

Podcast

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In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Nadiya Kostyuk talks about Russian cyber warfare against Ukraine. She provides insights into Russia’s short and long-term strategies, the nature of Russian cyberattacks, and their effectiveness on the ground. As she discusses the United States’ counter-strategies, she answers whether Western countries have been exaggerating

Feb 17 , 2022

Op-Ed

A huge military buildup near the Russian-Ukrainian border, bellicose statements from Russian President Vladimir Putin, tons of offensive weaponry (including main battle tanks, infantry combat vehicles, and Iskander short-range ballistic missile systems) make for a tense situation that raises the risk of conflict between the two countries to an unprecedented