Carnegie Moscow Center
If Prime Minister Putin decides to run in Russia's 2012 presidential elections, there will be wide-ranging implications for both Russia and the international community.
Following the reset in U.S.-Russian bilateral relations, Moscow continues to be an important partner for Washington in tackling many 21st century problems. By seeking engagement on multiple levels, the two countries can work to strengthen collaboration.
The new conviction of Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky is a potent demonstration of the regime’s lack of commitment to the modernization of the Russian political and judicial system.
Having cleared the Senate, New START is now proceeding towards implementation, but the method for verifying the dismantlement of warheads remains a key challenge that must be resolved in a future agreement.
The Obama administration recognizes that the weaponization of outer space is a threat to U.S. security and has expressed willingness to hold talks about the future of arms control in space.
The Nuclear Security Summit is the largest U.S.-hosted gathering of world leaders in 65 years. Its focus was on the threat of nuclear terrorism and the importance of global cooperation in the effort to secure nuclear materials.
The United States and Russia have officially signed the new START Treaty, setting up the necessary framework to reduce the world’s nuclear weapon stockpile by almost a third.
Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama recently signed a treaty to cut both countries' nuclear arms stockpiles. Although this agreement changes little in the strategic environment between the two countries, it may give a boost to the “reset” initiative.
The new nuclear arms reduction treaty is a positive outcome of the "reset" in U.S.-Russian relations, and will be a significant contribution to global non-proliferation efforts.
Both the United States and Russia face the threat of global terrorism, and they should work together and share intelligence in order to respond to terrorist threats.