Section: Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies (Israel)
The Phenomenon of “Global Russia”
The Kremlin at night, image via maxpixel.netBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 1,360, December 1, 2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: As Russia increases its geopolitical involvement across the globe, the concept of “Global Russia” has been gradually taking hold. Though Russia is inherently weak, it is likely that Moscow will continue its global initiatives...
Putin’s Policies Are Not New
Meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council, photo via Office of the President of RussiaBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 1,329, October 30, 2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: It has become fashionable to link Russian foreign policy moves of the past 20 years solely to President Vladimir Putin and his close associates. But what is viewed as innovative...
The Purge of John Bolton
John Bolton, photo by Gage Skidmore via WikipediaBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 1,327, October 29, 2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In Syria, President Trump, like Obama before him, seems oblivious to the reality that when the US withdraws, its enemies advance and fill the vacuum. Ousted NSA John Bolton has said that America is constraining its range...
In the Aegean, Energy Sustainability = Increased Security
Tasos Aliferis, Tilos, Greece, photo via WikipediaBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 1,325, October 28, 2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The challenging geography of Greece makes it hard for the country to take full advantage of its natural resources and expand its energy grid. Though it has doubled its share of renewables, it needs to redouble those...
Clarity Amidst Chaos: The Implications of Trump’s Syria Policy
President Donald Trump, US Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Tony Harp – released via Air Force Special Operations CommandBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 1,324, October 27, 2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The American withdrawal from Syria has produced chaotic results – but as with many aspects of President Trump’s presidency, it...
Turkey and the Kurds: What Goes Around Comes Around
Kurdish YPG fighters, image via Kurdishstruggle on Flickr CCBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 1,318, October 23, 2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Turkey, like much of the Middle East, is discovering that what goes around comes around. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan appears to have miscalculated the fallout of what may prove to be a foolhardy intervention...
A Russian-Western Rapprochement?
Vladimir Putin, photo via Office of the President of the Russian FederationBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 1,316, October 22, 2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: There have been hints over recent months of improvement in Russian-Western relations that could have major implications for the balance of power in the Eurasian landmass. The Ukraine crisis of...
Eurasia’s Great Game: India, Japan, and Europe Play to Putin’s Needs
Vladimir Putin, image via Office of the President of RussiaBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 1,310, October 15, 2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Eurasia’s Great Game is anything but simple and straightforward. A burgeoning alliance between China and Russia that at least for now is relegating potential differences between the two powers to the...
Russian-Chinese Cooperation Is Not As Temporary As You Think
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, photo via Office of the President of RussiaBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 1,308, October 10, 2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Many believe the Russian-Chinese partnership, which functions across a variety of economic and political spheres, is only temporary. But Moscow’s disenchantment with the West, and the...
The Khazars: Judaism, Trade, and Strategic Vision on the Eurasian Steppes
Khazar fortress at Sarkel (Belaya Vyezha, Russia). Aerial photo from excavations conducted by M. I. Artamanov in the 1930s. Public domain photo via WikipediaBESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 1,288, September 15, 2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Harnessing the Eurasian lands has always been difficult. The Khazars, an obscure people from the steppes that...
