RESEARCH AREAS

Alexis Giannoulis
(RIEAS Senior Analyst)

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In 2003 the Goldman Sachs’ ‘Global Economics Paper No: 99 ’ publication confirmed Jim O’Neill’s term ‘BRIC’ (first coined in 2001) and set forward the prospect of the then-most dynamic countries with regards to medium and long-term future growth and development. The BRICs were the countries with the biggest populations and with economies set to surpass most, if not all of the G7 nations in a rather speedy fashion by 2025. Brazil, Russia, India and China are all countries with substantial and young (in most cases) populations with good growth outlooks, vast resources and governments willing to enter the global markets as the most dynamic and major economies of the future..... Read more 

Nastassia Sianko
(Energy Security Analyst)

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In recent years, many analysts have noted the dependence of many European countries on Russian energy. In 2008, 40% of the European Union (EU) natural gas and 33% of oil imports came from Russia. And these figures, especially imports of natural gas (being seen by many as ‘fortunate fuel’), are expected to grow because the global demand for energy is increasing.....  Read more

Daniel Little
(RIEAS Senior Advisor)

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History is as much defined by circumstances and perceptions as they are by their actors.  While debate over the minutest detail lies within the domain of history’s most stalwart scholars, it is the available evidence that ultimately persuades the contemporary practitioner to draw parallels between the world that was and the reality it has evolved to become.  The fields of diplomacy and defense in particular are driven by such national interests.  Whether they are rooted in history (notably war and politics), economic comparative advantages (or disadvantages) or geographic placement, the aspirations to fully realize national identity leaves nothing to chance for those who wield its power.  For those who rule, the ability to know addresses how to act, when to act and the degree to which it is acted upon that can decide a nation’s fate.  This cannot be obtained by the leaders themselves – someone must go out there and obtain it for them.  Normally entrusted to the most ardent and enterprising of its patriots, the desire to act decisively on a strategic level requires uncommon sacrifice much less risk taking. Such people, win or lose, serve the intelligence branch of their country.  In the field, they are known as ‘spies.’ ...  Read more

Darya Bazarkina
(Lecturer, Communication Management Specialization, Faculty of Philosophy, Lomonosov Moscow State University)

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Today the important role of information and communication in the provision of national and international security is recognized at a global level. Unfortunately, the terrorists today are often more efficient at controlling the behavior of public by means of communication than are state security forces. Thus, to successfully counter terrorism, it is necessary to understand the motives of new recruits’ joining terrorist organizations, which requires not only an analysis of the economic basis of terrorism, but also a research of the ideology and communication aspects of terrorist activities.

Marina Aristova
(Postgraduate Researcher, University of Indianapolis (Athens Campus)

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Background and Reasons to Reset US-Russia Relations

In 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama announced a new foreign policy strategy regarding Russia: the relations of reset. President Obama’s initiative was preceded by years of serious disagreements and disputes over missile defense, NATO membership enlargement, post-Soviet space, and the war in Georgia. President Obama sought to engage the Russian government to pursue foreign policy goals of common interest—win-win outcomes—for the American and Russian people (http://goo.gl/6u6I). Though both countries overcame virtually everything that defined their Cold War confrontation, the United States and Russia were not able to develop sustainable cooperative bilateral relations (Allison et al. 2). In August 2008, the Russia-US relationship reached its highest level of post-Cold War tension. The military conflict between Russia and Georgia in August 2008, in which the U.S. supported Georgia, has been described as ‘a post-cold war nadir for US-Russian relations’ (Mankoff, 109). Consequently, President Obama’s initiative was a necessary and essential step to improve bilateral relations, achieve a sustainable cooperative relationship, and overcome the legacy of suspicion and distrust. Also, both countries faced the threat of international terrorism, global economic crisis and other challenges of the 21 century.

Ioannis Chatzopoulos
(Political Scientist, MA University of Warwick, Editor -in -Chief of Nea Politiki monthly review)

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‘‘Perhaps no part of Europe has suffered more from the old pattern of geopolitics then the Baltic states...and no part of Europe will benefit more if we are successful in overcoming these old patterns and replace them with new habits of cooperation’’ (Madeleine Allbright, Former U.S. Secretary of State, 1997)

The geopolitical importance of the Baltic States

The geopolitical interpretation of the Baltic states position in the international system shows that their position is rather complicated. The Baltic states are located in the region which is circumvented by the main geopolitical collisions. At the same time East-Baltic sub-region is a place where a fundamental confrontation of global powers is feasible. Therefore, the East-Baltic subregion is a ‘theatre’ both for maritime and continental powers.