Publications

While different aspects of identity are increasingly understood to shape diverse experiences of, and agency within conflict, religion and gender are still often treated as separate categories. Interse...chevron_right

This issue deals with the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Firstly, Maria Shagina posits that the contentious Nord Stream 2 pipeline has revived the fundamental differences of opinion that divided the allies during the Cold War and created new inter-​European tensions. A closer look at the crises in the Western alliance occasioned by the Druzhba oil pipeline in the 1960s and the Yamal–Urengoi gas pipeline in the 1980s reveals the continuity of disagreements between Europe and the US, as well as showing similar patterns of weaponizing Western technology and sanctions. Secondly, Robert Stüwe analyses the German debate on Nord Stream 2, including the poisoning of Alexei Navalny, the scandal over the German government’s offer to import LNG from the US on preferential terms if the US would repeal sanctions, and the public outcry over Mecklenburg-​Vorpommern’s controversial state “Climate Foundation.”chevron_right

This issue provides a broad overview of Russian politics and society in the run-up to the 2021 parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for September. In eleven shorter contributions, international experts on Russia discuss domestic and foreign affairs as well as the economy. The focus of most of them is on attempts of the Russian leadership to deal with growing discontent among the population. This includes the regime’s quest for legitimacy as well as repression and strategies to manipulate the actual election process. Individual contributions also discuss the implications for foreign policy and economic development. The contributions are published in alphabetical order of authors.chevron_right

European armed forces continue to depend on the imports of advanced drones from the United States and Israel. To contribute to their strategic autonomy, Europeans need to first align their strategic r...chevron_right

The debate around the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is overly politicized. A change in perspective is needed. In the long term, Ukraine as the country most affected could strengthen its position by devel...chevron_right

In recent years, states in the Western Balkans have increasingly rearmed. The arms purchases – often accompanied by nationalist rhetoric – endanger the fragile trust in a region where conflicts remain...chevron_right

Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have failed thus far, for numerous reasons. One specific challenge has been how to address the concerns of religious actors. Local mediators’ engagement with religious ...chevron_right

This edition considers recent developments in Russia’s relationship with China. Firstly, Marcin Kaczmarski suggests that in spite of renewed talk, obstacles remain for a fully-​fledged Russia-​China military alliance. Secondly, Xin Zhang focuses on Chinese elite and expert policy narratives about Russia, noting that they emphasize that the relationship operates on a level both distinct to, and higher than, an “axis of convenience”. Thirdly, Brian G. Carlson examines how Moscow’s ambitions for the Russia-​India-China triangle have been further undermined by the June 2020 Himalayan border clash between China and India.chevron_right

The CSDP missions in Ukraine, Kosovo, and Iraq operate from the right diagnosis of the need to strengthen the security sectors and the rule of law. However, their limited impact so far raises question...chevron_right

Increasing tensions between nuclear powers and the disruptive potential of various technologies are heightening nuclear risks, argue Névine Schepers and Oliver Thränert in this CSS Policy Perspective. While nuclear arms control treaties may be difficult to negotiate, informal measures can provide opportunities to reduce risks. Confidence-​building measures aimed at improving communication, understanding and transparency should be developed between the US and China, or existing US-​Russian ones could be “trilateralized.” Furthermore, unilateral initiatives, ranging from declarations of restraint to the suspension of certain systems, could help break the current deadlock and pave the way for treaty negotiations.chevron_right

Die finanzielle Stärkung und institutionelle Weiterentwicklung der neuen multilateralen Impfstoffplattform COVAX ist im gesundheitspolitischen, wirtschaftlichen und sicherheitspolitischen Interesse we...chevron_right

External powers have a key impact on what is happening in the war in Yemen, making the situation even more complex. Under its new president, Joe Biden, the US is strongly committed to ending the confl...chevron_right

This issue deals with renewable energy in the South Caucasus. Firstly, Agha Bayramov looks at Azerbaijan’s renewable energy developments. Secondly, Mary Keogh predicts that the development of indigenous renewable resources will play a key role in bolstering Armenia’s energy security, in particular limiting reliance on Russia, and explores the contribution of renewable energy to Armenian energy security, focusing on the opportunities made available by cooperation with external actors on renewable energy initiatives. Thirdly, Tracey German assesses the contribution that hydropower makes to Georgia’s energy mix, detailing the lessons that can be drawn from the Georgian experience about the demands of balancing electricity needs against environmental and social costs.chevron_right

The topic of this issue is the current state of Russian agriculture. Firstly, Natalia Karlova, Olga Shik, Eugenia Serova, and Renata Yanbykh covers changes in the structure of agricultural production, trade development, and agri-food policy. The article concludes by listing the major challenges Russian agriculture must address in order to maintain its position in the national economy and in global markets. Secondly, Vasyl Kvartiuk and Thomas Herzfeld examine the mechanisms by which Russian agriculture is subsidized. Using a unique dataset from the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, they map the incentives of regional and federal governments in the distribution of targeted subsidies among the Russian regions. Their results suggest that similar to the US and the EU, the regional and federal levels of the Russian government not only seek to boost agricultural development but also see subsidies as a tool for pursuing political goals.chevron_right

The topic of this issue is social inequality with a special focus on poverty. Firstly, Ann-Mari Sätre describes the causes of poverty and analyzes how women’s social networks help to tackle poverty. She also assesses the role of the political leadership in relation to grassroots initiatives. Secondly, Ilya Matveev gives a systematic overview of different approaches to the measurement of social inequality in Russia and provides a critical discussion of their validity. The article is followed by several graphs comparing the results of different studies. Finally, Anna Tarasenko discusses the social consequences of the current Covid-19 pandemic and provides an overview of social policy measures aimed at mitigating these consequences.chevron_right