Carnegie Moscow Center
The fundamental dilemma of Moscow’s policy lies in whether it is worth cooperating to achieve a comprehensive agreement with Iran, which would primarily be a success for the United States, under conditions of confrontation with the West over Ukraine.
A number of complex questions remain unresolved as negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program enter their final stage. The main question is whether the cooperation between Russia and the West would continue at the previous levels in the midst of the crisis in Ukraine.
Russia’s annexation of Crimea and possible future incursions into eastern Ukraine could reshape the geopolitical map of Europe and derail cooperation between Moscow and the West for years to come.
Russia’s unconfirmed intention to buy Iranian oil throws a monkey wrench in the sensitive mechanism of negotiating a gradual easing of the regime of economic sanctions against Tehran.
Eurasia Outlook returns in 2014 and in the months ahead it will focus on the issues that are likely to shape the future of Eurasia.
In 2013, Europe was a peaceful place, but elsewhere in Eurasia, things were not as peaceful. This eventful year promises an interesting 2014.
U.S.-Russian relations remain charged, even poisonous, despite some productive cooperation. Transforming the relationship will require a concerted effort in 2014.
The Arab transformations have only just begun. The coming year will offer signs as to whether countries of the Arab world are heading toward or away from democracy and pluralism.
The agreement reached in Geneva will slow Iran’s nuclear progress. For that reason alone it deserves support.
After years of strife, agreement seems possible on Iran’s nuclear program and Syria’s civil war. The key is highly pragmatic cooperation based on national interests.