Friends or Foes: Russia-China Relations and the FSB Intel Leaked Document

This report outlines the contents of a leaked eight-page planning document by the FSB’s Department of Counterintelligence Operations (DKRO), which describes China as a significant intelligence threat to the Russian Federation.
Kavkaz Investment Forum 2025: Economic and Geopolitical Outlook

This report provides an analytical assessment of the North Caucasus Federal District (NCFD) based on developments presented at the Kavkaz Investment Forum 2025, recent macroeconomic data, and ongoing geopolitical dynamics.
What Can We Learn from Lavrov’s Official Visit to Armenia?

This report analyses Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s recent visit to Yerevan, examining the strategic messaging underpinning Moscow’s diplomatic posture towards Armenia and the broader South Caucasus.
Tatarstan and the “Russia-Islamic World” KazanForum 2025

The report examines Tatarstan’s political, economic, and security landscape in Russia’s outreach to Muslim-majority states. KazanForum 2025 demonstrates Moscow’s shift toward non-Western partnerships, with Tatarstan acting as a facilitator of these relations.
Armed Attack in Makhachkala Underlined Dagestan’s Security Dilemmas

This report evaluates the recent armed attack in Makhachkala within the broader context of persistent terrorist activity in the Republic of Dagestan. It assesses the tactical and strategic implications of recent violence targeting security forces and the state’s response capacity.
Terrorism and Security Operations in the Russian Federation: April 2025 Review

This report briefly describes the recent terrorist threats in Russia in April 2025 and underlines that international jihadist networks, aided by online propaganda and transnational collaboration, still create a persistent and multifaceted terrorist threat.
Armenian Business Association Discussed Yerevan’s Strategy Between Moscow and Brussels

This report examines Armenia’s shifting foreign policy orientation, using recent remarks made by the President of the Armenian Business Association Samvel Karapetyan at a Moscow business forum as an entry point for broader analysis. Karapetyan’s public concerns about the economic fallout of exiting the EAEU come at a critical moment in Yerevan’s recalibration of its…
Russia-Central Asia Relations Following the Almaty Ministerial Meeting

The eighth ministerial meeting between Russia and the five Central Asian states, held in Almaty on April 11, 2025, highlights Moscow’s ongoing efforts to consolidate strategic influence across its southern periphery. This report wants to assess the status of Russia-Central Asia relations and Moscow’s strategy to exploit multilateralism and security cooperation to influence Central Asian…
Russia’s Cultural Diplomacy in Armenia and Azerbaijan to Counter the West and Turkey

This report focuses on recent developments in the geopolitical dynamics between Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, with a particular emphasis on Moscow’s efforts to reinstate its cultural influence in the South Caucasus. Russia’s waning influence in Armenia and Azerbaijan’s increasing alignment with Western powers provide the context for understanding these actions.
Russia’s Cultural Diplomacy in Uzbekistan and Central Asia Through Rossotrudnichestvo

This report examines the significance of Russian cultural diplomacy in Uzbekistan and Central Asia, and Rossotrudnichestvo’s contribution to the Kremlin’s regional aims. The report also analyses the “cultural geopolitical game” in the region involving regional and international actors.
Russia’s Arctic Forum 2025 Underlined Moscow’s Strategy in the Region

The recent Arctic forum organised in Murmansk highlighted Russia’s strategic focus on expanding its economic and military presence in the region. Moscow seeks long-term infrastructure and resource development while asserting its dominance over the Northern Sea Route.
Are Energy and Lithium Driving Russia’s North Caucasus Strategy?

This report examines the strategic importance of the North Caucasus region for Russia, focusing on its role as a critical energy transit hub and local energy production area. Following the Ukraine conflict and the rising energy demands, the enhancement of energy infrastructure, including both local and transnational oil and gas pipelines, has become a key…
Russia’s Strategic Diplomatic Shift: Alexander Darchiev is the New Russian Ambassador to the United States

The appointment of Alexander Darchiev as Russia’s ambassador to the United States marks a pivotal moment in Moscow’s diplomatic strategy. Amidst the current high tensions, his position and experience at the Russian Foreign Ministry suggest he may strive to improve, rather than damage, U.S.-Russia relations.
Navigating Sanctions: Orenburg and Iran’s Economic Partnership

The report analyses recent economic and diplomatic activities involving the Orenburg Region of Russia and Iran, focusing on the deepening ties and joint cooperation opportunities. On February 21st-24th, 2025, a delegation representing Russia’s Oregon region, headed by Vice-Governor Ignat Petukhov, took part in the international EURASIA EXPO-2025 exhibition in Tehran.
The Ukraine Conflict’s Impact on Russia-China Relations and Asia-Pacific Security Dynamics

This report analyses the influence of the Ukrainian conflict on Moscow and Beijing’s economic-military relations and their respective perspectives the geopolitical dynamics of the Asia-Pacific region.

Category: Russia