Category: Russia

  • Ukraine conflict, foreign fighters and European security

    The Ukraine conflict has attracted the attention of foreign fighters eager to fight against the Russian troops and the Chechen kadyrovtsy. If the war lasts longer than Moscow planned, there is a severe threat that Ukraine might evolve into a battleground where foreign fighters will promote terrorism and jihadist propaganda.

  • Ukraine conflict, natural gas pipelines and Russian strategy

    As clashes in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities escalate, Brussels is discussing additional manoeuvres to strike Russia, although Moscow might have adopted counter-measures based on alternative gas pipelines to export its natural gas to the Asian markets and support its economy.

  • Ukraine conflict: cyber warfare and geopolitical risk

    As long as Russian and Ukrainian troops are fighting each other on the ground, Anonymous started cyber warfare against the Kremlin, showing that in the 21st century, countries and non-state actors might fight a war on different levels.

  • Ukraine conflict, kadyrovtsy and Chechnya

    The Chechen kadyrovtsy might have been deployed in Ukraine to support the Russian troops. This news caused the reaction of the Caucasus Emirate and underlined the important role that Chechnya plays in the Kremlin’s foreign policy and military strategy.

  • Ukraine conflict: fighting north of Kyiv

    The Ukrainian army announced that fights are underway in the north of Kyiv underlying the Kremlin’s desire to conquer the Ukrainian capital, neutralise the military capabilities and overthrow the Government.

  • Potential implications and threats of Jihadist terrorism in the Russia-Ukraine War

    The war between Russia and Ukraine, which has just begun, could also have implications in the sphere of the operations and propaganda of the Salafist-jihadist organisations.

  • Russian invasion of Ukraine and economy

    Since the early morning hours, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has affected the financial markets, particularly the Russian economy, creating fears and scepticism among investors and the Russian citizens.

  • Russia starts military operations in Ukraine

    The Russian Federation launched a military operation in Ukraine and threatened consequences for those who interfered in the conflict supporting Kyiv.

  • Russia recognised the independence of Donetsk and Lugansk

    Russia recognised the independence of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), marking a decisive move in the framework of the Ukrainian Crisis and alarming the international community about the imminence of the conflict.

  • The Bering Strait, an area of Russian-US geostrategic interest

    Within the North Pacific Area, the Bering Strait and the area surrounding are for the Russian Federation and the United States a geo-maritime space of vital importance inherent to the defence of their respective geopolitical interests.

  • Turkmenistan and Tatarstan strengthened their economic cooperation

    Turkmenistan and Tatarstan aim to increase their economic cooperation and trade turnover and create a favourable environment to support joint projects, investments, and economic development. Tatarstan foreign policy in Central Asia is becoming more active and supporting Moscow’s regional strategy.

  • “Storia del Caucaso del Nord tra presenza russa, Islam e terrorismo” di Giuliano Bifolchi

    Giuliano Bifolchi, Research Manager di SpecialEurasia, analizza il processo storico, culturale e religioso della regione nord caucasica nel suo libro “Storia del Caucaso del Nord tra presenza russa, Islam e terrorismo” pubblicato da Anteo Edizioni.

  • Geopolitics of parliamentary elections in Abkhazia

    The upcoming parliamentary elections in the Republic of Abkhazia are crucial for the Abkhaz political life, and regional geopolitics since the country plays a strategic role in the Caucasus and the Black Sea region.

  • Kazakhstan and Bashkortostan increased their trade volume and economic partnership

    Since Kazakhstan and Bashkortostan have increased their economic partnership and trade volume, Ufa might significantly promote and strengthen Moscow-Nursultan relations.

  • The geostrategic role of the Kuril Islands in the Russian foreign policy for the Asia-Pacific Northwest area

    For the Russian Federation, since its conquest against the Japanese Empire at the end of World War II, the Kuril Islands have represented an island area of vital geostrategic importance for the defence of its interests in the Asia-Pacific Northwest.

  • Why should the United States and Russia talk to each other?

    A deep crisis on the eastern side of Europe might lead to a new confrontation between the United States (read NATO) and Russia. If the direct war between the two powers seems difficult to happen, the sense of encirclement perceived by the Russians is dangerously pushing Moscow into the arms of Beijing.

  • Tatarstan’s role in Kyrgyz economic diversification and investments attraction

    The recent official visit of the President of Tatarstan in Bishkek and the forum ‘Tatarstan – Kyrgyzstan’ highlighted the role that Kazan might play in supporting the Russian strategy in the Kyrgyz republic by improving economic cooperation and trade turnover.

  • Russia-Iran entente on Eurasian current issues and dynamics

    The recent telephone talk between Putin and Raisi highlighted Russia-Iran cooperation on geopolitical, security, and economic issues in Eurasia and Moscow-Tehran’s desire to strengthen their partnership and collaboration on Afghanistan, Syria, Nagorno-Karabakh.

  • The Russian strategy in the Middle East. An interview with Alexander Hoffmann

    Since the so-called Arab Spring and concurrently with the U.S. slow disengagement from the Middle East, the Russian Federation has become a significant geopolitical actor in the Arab-Muslim world. Understanding Russian foreign policy with key Middle Eastern geopolitical actors and the Russian state companies’ activities is fundamental to forecasting possible future trends in the area.

  • CIS meeting and the Russian strategy in Eurasia

    The recent CIS meeting underlined the Kremlin’s strategy to strengthen its influence in Eurasia through military cooperation and diplomacy. In an era characterised by confrontation with the United States and the rise of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Russia confirms its desire to be the principal player in Eurasia.

  • Turkmenistan increases economic and energy cooperation with Russia

    Turkmenistan seeks regional and international partners to strengthen the national economic performance and attract investors in infrastructural projects. Recent meetings between Turkmen and Russian official representatives and companies underline the Kremlin’s strategy to increase its presence in the country and Ashgabat’s necessity to diversify its commercial partners.

  • Geostrategy and military competition in the Korean Peninsula

    The political-strategic priorities of the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation and the United States had conferred high geostrategic value to the Korean Peninsula in the North-East Pacific Scenario. In this region, since the totalitarian regime of North Korea hardly coexists with a Western-type State of South Korea, military assets play a fundamental role.

  • The effect of terrorism in Afghanistan on Russian-Tajik relations

    The recent terrorist attack in Kunduz alarmed Tajikistan and Russia on the stability and security of the Afghan-Tajik borders and the Taliban ability to counter Islamic State and other terrorist groups in Afghanistan. In this framework, Moscow and Dushanbe are seeking to enhance their cooperation in the security field, confirming the Russian strategy to play a decisive role in Afghanistan and Central Asia.

  • Iran-Russia cooperation might support Tehran’s foreign strategy in Eurasia

    The meeting between the Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Amir Abdollahian and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov highlights that Iran seeks to strengthen its cooperation with Russia to support its new foreign policy based on regional cooperation and commercial trade.

  • Geostrategy and military competition in the Mediterranean Sea

    The geostrategic importance that the Mediterranean Sea has assumed in recent years can be traced back to the political-strategic priorities defined by Russia, the United States and some of its allies (Italy, Spain, France), identifiable as the states most militarily active within some regions of this geo-maritime space.

  • South Ossetia and Abkhazia cooperation and the geopolitics of the Caucasus

    The recent visit of the South Ossetian President to Abkhazia to celebrate Victory and Independence Day and the meeting among South Ossetian and Abkhaz presidents and ministers underline their cooperation and the role that these two republics play in the South Caucasian geopolitics.

  • Laplace’s Demon: the Russian solution for Open Source Intelligence

    Laplace’s Demon is the Russian solution in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) adopted to contrast phenomena such as terrorism, radicalization, criminal activities or monitor brand reputation, inter-ethnic conflicts and economic trends.

  • Strategic Communication and So-Called ‘Independent Media’ In Russia-EU Confrontation

    Strategic communication has characterised the recent Russia – European Union dynamics. In this article, we aim to analyse the structure and work of Meduza.io, a news website that has played a decisive role in the Moscow-Brussels confrontation.

  • Russian elections 2021: report from Kronshtadt

    The Russian elections started today among the rumours and allegations that international media have reported on the legitimacy of the Russian electoral process. SpecialEurasia had the opportunity to visit some polling stations in Kronshtadt to evaluate the transparency of the Russian elections.

  • Russia discussed with India security cooperation in Afghanistan

    The recent visit of Nikolai Patrushev to India underlines prospects of cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi on regional security and geopolitics, particularly after the U.S. troops withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban rise to power. 

  • Iran increases its cooperation with Russia

    Due to the U.S. sanctions, Iran has shifted its foreign policy looking for regional actors with whom to reach a new partnership. Therefore, in the last years, we have witnessed an increase in cooperation between Tehran and Moscow in different fields.

  • The Middle Eastern expansion of Tatneft

    In the last few years, the Russian company Tatneft has expanded its business in the MENA region. Its roots in the Tatarstan Republic make it a perfect tool in the hands of the Kremlin, which wants to balance the Western influence in the area.

  • “Russia: alla ricerca della potenza perduta” di Alessandro Fanetti

    Alessandro Fanetti introduce il lettore alle principali tematiche utili per la comprensione della Federazione Russa considerando non solo la politica interna ed estera, ma anche le dinamiche interne relative alla religione, alla convivenza di diversi gruppi etnici, e al processo storico che ha formato l’identità russa. 

  • The new geopolitical game of Afghanistan

    The complete NATO troops withdrawal from Afghanistan and the rise of the Taliban mark the beginning of a new geopolitical game in the region, which involves China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, India and Turkey. At the same time, the United States seems to have increased their strategic interest in the Asia-Pacific to counter Chinese sea power and in the Middle East to confront Iran.

  • Russia and India partnership on Afghanistan and Indo-Pacific

    The Indian Foreign Affairs Minister’s recent visit to Moscow highlights that Russia-India relations intensify because New Delhi has become one of the Kremlin’s essential trading partners and a valuable ally in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific.

  • Iran interests in Eurasian Economic Union: possibilities and constraints

    Tehran’s attempt to become a member of the Eurasian Economic Union aims to enhance its trade partners and contrast the economic problems caused by the U.S. sanctions.

  • Tajikistan: the Kremlin’s frontier against the Taliban

    The Russian Federation wants militarily to support Tajikistan with the aim of controlling the borders with Afghanistan and contrasting the possible Taliban offensive in the region.

  • Afghanistan briefing: regional and international foreign relations

    Since U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed the NATO troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, several regional and international actors have demonstrated their commitment to support the Afghan transition peace process and exploit the possible geopolitical vacuum left by Washington.

  • “Geopolitica del Caucaso russo” di Giuliano Bifolchi

    Giuliano Bifolchi, Research Manager di SpecialEurasia, analizza l’importanza del Caucaso del Nord nel suo libro “Geopolitica del Caucaso russo. Gli interessi e l’influenza del Cremlino e degli attori stranieri nelle dinamiche locali nord caucasiche” pubblicato da Sandro Teti Editore.

  • Nagorno-Karabakh: and the winner is… Russia

    After a long meeting, the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, supervised by Russia, agreed on the ceasefire, which should precede the peace negotiation between Baku and Yerevan on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Although Azerbaijan is claiming its victory in the conflict, the Russian Federation is the real winner in Nagorno-Karabakh.

  • Terrorist attack in France and the Chechen diaspora in Europe

    The recent terrorist attack in France highlights the security problem and the impact of jihadist propaganda in the Russian language inside the European Union. In fact, Islamic State ideologies and the presence of the North Caucasian diaspora in Europe might threaten EU security.

  • Russia confirms its interests in Afghanistan

    The Russian ambassador in Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, confirmed the Kremlin’s interests in improving its diplomatic and commercial relations with Kabul and supporting the national peace process without any forms of foreign interference. Zhirnov’s words underlined the Russian desire to play a strategic role in Afghanistan and counter the United States and Chinese presence.

  • Turkey will purchase the second batch of the Russian S-400

    Turkey continues its technical military partnership with the Russian Federation because of Ankara’s will of upgrading its defence system and capabilities and make the country less dependent from NATO. The second Turkish purchase of the Russian S-400 might change the balance inside the North Atlantic Alliance and make Moscow and Ankara closer in the international arena.

  • Russia wants to upgrade the port of Makhachkala

    Russia plans to develop the infrastructure of the port of Makhachkala to transform the Dagestani capital into a logistic hub in the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus region and boost socio-economic development.  Moscow’s desire to upgrade Makhachkala’s seaport and airport challenges the city of Baku, and the Azerbaijani aim to become the Caspian interconnection.

  • Russia enhances scientific cooperation with Iran

    Iran and Russia are strengthening their bilateral cooperation in the field of scientific research focusing their attention on the Caspian Sea since the region plays a strategic role in the international arena and energy market.

  • Counter-terrorism in Russia: FSB thwart an attack in Vladikavkaz

    The recent attempt to organise a terrorist attack in Vladikavkaz highlighted that the North Caucasus had not defeated local and international terrorism, and jihadist organisations are still a severe threat in the region.

  • Guerra dell’informazione: il Cremlino accusa The Jamestown Foundation

    Il Procuratore Generale della Federazione Russa ha dichiarato la Jamestown Foundation un’organizzazione ‘indesiderata’ a causa di una serie di articoli pubblicati in merito all’area del Caucaso nordoccidentale i quali fomenterebbero il disordine e le divisioni settarie.

  • Russia closed Minkavkaz. Is Russia changing its regional strategy?

    The abolition of Minkavkaz might be considered part of the political-institutional reshuffle which Putin started in the Russian Federation. This decision might be interpreted as the Kremlin’s will to change its approach to the North Caucasian dynamics.

  • Covid-2019 and Saudi Arabia – Russia disagreement on oil production

    Saudi Arabia may refuse to cooperate with the Russian Federation in terms of coordinating oil production volumes due to Covid-2019 which is demonstrating how a virus might impact not only the national security but also the economy and the international trade market with serious repercussion in the case of Russia because the country strongly depends on energy export.

  • Why Belarus matters now? Minsk-Moscow crisis and the opportunities for EU and China

    The recent crisis between Russia and Belarus due to the oil supply has shocked the geopolitical dynamics of the Eurasian chessboard and opened new opportunities for the European Union and China in case Moscow and Minsk will not find an agreement in a short time.

  • Islam in Russia and the fight against terrorism: meeting with Albir Krganov

    Even though Islam is one of the main national confessions in Russia, the Kremlin has faced internal problems such as Islamophobia related to the terrorist attacks and jihadist propaganda disseminated on Russian soil. 

  • St. Petersburg explosion raising concerns about terrorist attacks in Russia

    The terrorist attack in St. Petersburg highlighted security concerns in the Russian Federation and the terrorist organisations’ ability to target Russian territory.

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