Events
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Negotiating with Moscow
On February 18, 2025, U.S. and Russian officials convened in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential peaceful resolution to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and to explore the broader U.S.-Russia relationship. The meeting followed statements by other U.S. officials indicating a shift away from earlier American commitments to NATO membership for Ukraine and to restoring the
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Russia’s Post-Soviet Neighbors
Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine has transformed the security, economic, and geopolitical environments for Russia’s neighbors. Ukraine is at war. Three Russian neighbors—Belarus, China, and North Korea—are supporting the Russian invasion through various means and to various degrees. Three others—the Baltic States—are assisting Ukraine through the NATO alliance. The picture is more complex for
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What to Expect From Trump’s Trade Policy
President Donald Trump has followed through on his promises to impose new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China in a stated effort to combat illegal immigration and the drug trade. Though Mr. Trump and the leaders of Mexico and Canada have agreed to a delay as they engage in negotiations, tariffs on China have taken
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Nuclear Power in Central Asia: The New “New Thing”?
The Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are exploring the development of nuclear power. Last fall, Kazakhstan passed a controversial referendum to build a nuclear power plant. In 2024, both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan signed memorandums of understanding with Rosatom to construct smaller plants. Despite the region’s ample hydrocarbons and hydroelectric resources, the Central
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Countering China’s Economic Might
China’s economic heft presents unique challenges that go well beyond traditional defense. According to the International Energy Agency, China’s investment in manufacturing has increased about 600% since 2005, and its share of value added in global manufacturing has almost tripled. As a result, China now generates one-third of global value added in manufacturing and has
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