In the 20 years between the Soviet Union's collapse and the beginning of Vladimir Putin's third presidential term, there has been no serious attempt by Russia's leaders to reconstitute the Soviet empire. Instead, writes Dmitri Trenin in "Post-Imperium," where the Soviet Union used to look for opportunities to draw countries into its ideological orbit, today's Russia is on the lookout for opportunities to make money. READ MORE

NATO's planned missile shield has dampened relations with Russia. But German peace researcher Oliver Meier says Moscow exaggerates any threat the shield - which may never even function as envisioned - might pose. READ MORE

In advance of the NATO summit meeting on Afghanistan, American officials are claiming real progress in the fight against the Taliban. “Every day we’re gaining traction,” Gen. John Allen, the top commander in Afghanistan, told reporters last week. There is improvement, but we are skeptical that the situation is that encouraging. READ MORE

Being in Chicago the President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite after the meeting with the US Lithuanians harshly criticized the policy of Poland, saying that Warsaw chose Russia as a friend, and Lithuania once again turned into a scapegoat. READ MORE

New Russian Neighborhood Policy READ MORE

The EU was once the major driving force of Turkey’s transformation process. That was a good blueprint for structural change. The EU was both an agent of change and our role model at the same time. Few people in Turkey still see it that way. One look at the Eurobarometer polls shows just how much the old continent has lost its allure. The image of the EU as a whole has been declining steadily in the eyes of Turks. Of course, the Europeans’ lack of confidence lately has not been helping. READ MORE

A major international conference “Kazakhstan - USA: 20 Years of Partnership for Security and Development” took place at the Nazarbayev Center in Astana, the multifunctional research and educational public institution, on Friday May 18, 2012. READ MORE

France’s new, Socialist government held its first meeting Thursday with a pay cut for the president and ministers the first item on the agenda. Ministers insisted that their top policy priority is Europe’s debt crisis. READ MORE

The Iranian problem stands out on the international agenda. But it is much broader and more diverse than Iran’s desire to acquire a nuclear bomb. Iran is accused of being a source of both regional instability and far-reaching geopolitical ambitions. Although today's Iran demonstrates a desire to play in the international geopolitical game, it remains primarily a regional power with a significant presence in the Middle East, Central Asia and the South Caucasus. READ MORE

Exclusive interview Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. READ MORE