On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine the likes of which Europe had not seen in the 21st century. Today, the human casualties continue to mount as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s brazen assault on democracy continues.
Meanwhile, the rest of the post-Soviet world is left to pick up the foundations of a quickly-crumbling world order, amid what appears to be a second stage of Soviet collapse. Russian decolonization not only encompasses the defense of Ukrainian sovereignty and independence, but also a renewed focus on the region most immediately vulnerable to Russian aggression and hegemony. From Azerbaijan’s invasion of Armenia in 2022 to border clashes between Collective Security Treaty Organization member states Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, countries once under firmly in Russia’s orbit are quickly slipping from the sphere of influence Russian President Vladimir Putin’s power so heavily relies on.
As an international relations organization firmly devoted to upholding values of human rights and democracy globally, the USC Dornsife Global Policy Institute lends itself as a platform for student analysis of the war in Ukraine, contextualized more broadly in the region of post-Soviet Eurasia, and its international implications.
Follow the editorial analysis by GPI fellows in this latest series organized by GPI editorial lead Mané Berikyan.
The views expressed in Eye on Ukraine: The Region In Context do not necessarily align with the views of the Global Policy Institute editorial staff.
It’s a victory when the weapons fall silent and people speak up.
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine
Editorials
Read our fellows’ analysis of the war in Ukraine, as well as the broader geopolitical challenges across the post-Soviet world and beyond.
South Caucasus: Should US Deep Engagement Apply to the Post-Soviet Region?
With dwindling Russian influence in the post-Soviet region, U.S. engagement in the South Caucasus region is increasing.
The Future of Crimea: How Far is Too Far?
“Give us your weapons — we will return what is ours,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his recent…
Europe’s dependence on Azerbaijani gas replaces one dictatorship for another
In an effort to reduce its dependency on Russian gas, the European Union has turned to another dictatorship —…
Selective Activism and Its Detrimental Effects on the Armenian People: The Lachin Corridor
GPI fellow Ariana reflects on the role of media and activism in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The Politics of Tank Distribution: International Image, Aid to Ukraine, and the German Leopard A2 Tank
Pressure mounts on Western Europe to export much-needed tanks to Ukraine.
Before Bucha in Ukraine, There Was Abkhazia In Georgia: An Interview With Tamara Chergoleishvili
GPI sits down with an artist reintroducing the genocide against ethnic Georgians in Abkhazia
Azerbaijan: A “New Republic”
As Azerbaijani aggression continues, Armenians face greater challenges with each day.
An attempted ethnic cleansing: Azerbaijan closes the Lachin corridor
As the Lachin corridor’s closure passes its two-week mark, the circumstances in Nagorno Karabakh continue to decline.
Azerbaijan’s illegal closure of the Lachin corridor is a precursor to the last stage of ethnic cleansing
By orchestrating the closure of the only link between Nagorno-Karabakh and the outside world, Azerbaijan is creating a quickly…
Violence in Karakalpakstan: what the ongoing human rights violations mean
Violence in the Karakalpakstan region of Uzbekistan demonstrates the growing need for international intervention.
Was Kazakhstan’s “Bloody January” a Symptom of Putin-Gone-Rogue?
Putin’s war on democracy played a role in the CSTO’s decision to deploy troops in Kazakhstan. With the invasion…
For Kim Jong-Un, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is an ideal distraction
While the world is preoccupied with Russia, another unpredictable adversary is acting up under the radar.
A war in Ukraine means an energy crisis in Europe
The EU is being asked to confront its dependency on Russian gas and oil.
Is Bosnia headed for another war?
The already-strained political system looks close to collapsing under pressure from Serb leaders.
Hungary flirts with Russia amid Ukraine invasion
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has steered Budapest closer to Moscow since stepping into power.
Biden’s Silence on the Nagorno Karabakh Crisis Jeopardizes the American Foreign Policy Agenda
As a humanitarian crisis unfolds in blockaded Nagorno-Karabakh, the Biden Administration’s response has been lacking. Without decisive action, 120,000…
North Korea Denies Military Alliance With Russia
North Korea and Russia displayed a positive political relationship during the Cold War, beginning in the later half of…
State Symbols on Skates: The Politics of Russian Sports During the War in Ukraine
International sports competitions have long served as a theater of nationalistic symbolism. Competitors act as proxies for their countries,…
Eye on Ukraine: The Region in Context
Editor: Mane Berikyan, Deputy Director
Pakistan’s Mass Expulsion of Afghans Will See Thousands of Girls Lose a Chance at Education
Pakistan is risking the lives of hundreds of thousands of women and over a million Afghans to send a message to the Taliban, an act the international community may not readily forgive them for.
The US Must Lift Its Sanctions on Cuba
On November 2, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly once again voted overwhelmingly for the United States to lift its economic and trade embargo on Cuba. Since 1992, the majority of the UNGA have repeatedly called for an end to the sanctions originally placed on the country over 60 years ago. The US embargo on…
Examining China’s Infamous “Bamboo Network”
Southeast Asia is home to an interesting anomaly: one where indigenous ethnic majorities are not the most prosperous ethnic group in the country. In Malaysia, the Bumiputera (ethnic Malays) make up 66.4% of the country, but have the lowest average wealth among all the ethnic groups who call Malaysia home. A study by a University…
Israel’s Relationship With Turkey and Azerbaijan and What This Means for Armenia and Palestine
In the 1990s, Israel and Azerbaijan began kindling their diplomatic, economic, and military relationship. The same cannot be said for Azerbaijan’s brother state, Turkey, who has had a long, tumultuous history with Israel – that was until August. Whether it be military or economic support, the alliance of these three countries poses a threat to…
Gabon Now: A Recovering Post-Coup Nation
Gabon is in the midst of significant changes, the likes of which the country has not seen in decades. Now, the Central African country is working to reorganize itself into the democracy its people have wanted for decades. After an Aug. 26 election that saw President Ali Bongo Ondimba reelected, he was overthrown just four…
Football, Nationalism and the Israel-Hamas War
The atrocities experienced by both Israelis and Gazans in the aftermath of the Hamas attack of Oct. 7 have been horrific and roundly condemned. Amidst the surge of violence, it is hard to pick out a side that is winning or losing. This is especially true when major news outlets disagree on crucial points, such…
The Traffic Light Coalition’s Plan for Community-Grown Cannabis in Germany
Though the name of the German political party Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, or Die Grünen (the Greens), refers primarily to their former single-issue environmentalist mission, the party has long advocated for the decriminalization and legalization of another kind of green: marijuana. Now, Germany’s governing coalition has finally started moving to make this part of their platform…
The Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy: How Significant Are They Really?
Israel has historically received unequivocal support from the U.S. in forms of aid, UN vetoes and public backing. Thus, to isolate the influence of the Israeli lobby, it is critical to analyze if U.S. support aligns with American foreign policy interests. If the policies indeed further U.S.interests, it is reasonable to assume that the Israel…
Hydropower and India’s “Sinking Towns”: How Should Development Continue?
“Sinking Towns” in India’s Himalayan Region demonstrate the need for an immediate solution to protect both residents and the environment.