- Social:
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Director of the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and author of The Russia Balance Sheet
PROFILE
Andrew Kuchins
Guest
FROM Andrew Kuchins
To the Point
Russia's Currency Crisis The price of oil and economic sanctions have panicky Russian consumers rushing to buy whatever they can as the ruble loses its value, but at today's three-hour, end-of-the-year news conference, Vladimir Putin said , not to worry: the crisis will only last a couple of years. He blamed the US and Europe, said the Russian bear won't be chained up -- saying he was referring to nuclear weapons. We look at what might be in store for Ukraine and at the role of Saudi Arabia in Russia's economic decline.
To the Point
Is Vladimir Putin Changing the Game in Ukraine? Yesterday, as bloody violence continued to increase in Ukrainian cities, Germany's foreign minister warned that the country was on the "threshold of war." Britain's foreign secretary said Russia was creating a pretext for military intervention. Today, Vladimir Putin stunned diplomats by announcing a troop pull-back from the Ukrainian border and voicing support for upcoming elections. The Pentagon sees no evidence of troop movements yet, but Russia's President may have undercut Western accusations that he's trying to scuttle Ukraine's democracy. We hear from Moscow and Ukraine. Will European observers assist a transition from confrontation to dialogue? Has Putin's announcement demonstrated how completely he's in control? What's the lesson for the Obama Administration and superpower politics?
To the Point
Russians Move into Crimea as Diplomacy Continues Russia accuses Ukraine's new pro-western government of causing "chaos" in the eastern part of the country, and pro-Russian forces stormed a number of Ukrainian military bases in the Crimean Peninsula. The crisis is deepening. Andrew Kuchins is Director of the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. His most recent book is The Russia Balance Sheet .
To the Point
Russia Rebuffs West for Sanctions over Ukraine After an hour on the phone with President Obama today, Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted that Ukraine's new authorities are "absolutely illegitimate" and that Russia "cannot ignore calls for help" from Russian speakers in Crimea. Ukrainian border guards say 30,000 Russian troops are now in Crimea, compared to 11,000 normally stationed there. Andrew Kuchins is Director of the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies .
Which Way, L.A.?
Can Obama 'Reset' Relations with Russia? Barack Obama is in Moscow for a two-day trip, and appears to be on track with his goal of ending the long chill between the US and its former cold war enemy. At a press conference today in Moscow, he and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev both said important steps forward had been made. They’ve agreed to cut nuclear warheads, a major goal for the first meeting between the two new presidents. But what progress can be made on issues such as NATO expansion and a planned missile defense shield? What role is former President, now Prime Minister Vladmir Putin playing behind the scenes?
To the Point
Can Obama 'Reset' Relations with Russia? Barack Obama is in Moscow for a two-day trip, and appears to be on track with his goal of ending the long chill between the US and its former cold war enemy. At a press conference today in Moscow, he and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev both said important steps forward had been made. They’ve agreed to cut nuclear warheads, a major goal for the first meeting between the two new presidents. But what progress can be made on issues such as NATO expansion and a planned missile defense shield? What role is former President, now Prime Minister Vladmir Putin playing behind the scenes?
Recommended
To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.
To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
To the Point
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?