Wilson Center
Matthew Rojansky is a Russia analyst and director of the Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center. He formerly served as deputy director of the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and as executive director of the Partnership for a Secure America.
Russia's Putin speaks with Trump by phone It's a day of diplomacy for Russian President Vladimir Putin. He sat down in person with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Sochi, and he talked by phone with US President Donald Trump. What do we need to know? Matthew Rojansky, who directors the Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, is just back from Moscow.
Russia Threatens Retaliation over US Ship in the Black Sea The US Navy sent a destroyer into the Black Sea this week for what it called "routine" visits to ports in Bulgaria and other countries. Today, Russia warned of " retaliatory measures ."
Russia's Withdrawal from Syria: Is It Real? Vladimir Putin surprised the world when he suddenly started bombing in Syria last September. This week, he surprised the world again when he ordered the "main part" of his military forces out of Syria. The Pentagon says the Russians aren't going away. Long-range missiles and bombs are still falling, and Russia's airbase and naval station are permanent fixtures. For the moment, Putin's surprise move has kept him out of the "quagmire" predicted by President Obama, but his long-range intentions are unclear. His air assaults did enough damage to embolden President Assad to join talks in Geneva, but are Syrians any closer to ending a savage civil war?
MH 17: The Victims' Bodies Go to the Netherlands and the EU Points to Russia The Netherlands lost 193 of the 298 victims when Malaysian Airlines FH 17 was shot down over Eastern Ukraine, and it will lead the investigation. Earlier, a refrigerated train with the remains of victims went from the crash site to Kharkiv, which is under control of Ukraine. Pro-Russian separatists turned over the black boxes to Malaysia, which will pass them on to Dutch investigators.
Violence, Propaganda, Diplomacy and Eastern Ukraine Amid reports that two Ukrainian helicopters were shot down today, President Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met at the White House. They warned Russia not to allow disruption of Ukraine's election, planned for May 25, and threatened further sanctions. The President heaped scorn on what he called Russian propaganda about the source of the violence. "The notion that this is some spontaneous uprising in Eastern Ukraine is belied by the fact the evidence, of a well-organized trained militia that have the surface to arm missiles or whatever it takes to shoot down helicopters, tragically."
Conflicting Messages in the Midst of a Crisis As President Obama prepares to address the nation tonight, it appears he'll be arguing for both war and diplomacy at the same time. He's embraced the Russian proposal that Syria's chemical weapons be placed under international control — if it proves to be serious. But he also wants Congress to approve military action despite polls showing that most Americans are opposed. We see how developments have complicated the President's challenges at the United Nations, on Capitol Hill and with American public opinion.
Beyond Stoli and Snowden: The Rift between Russia and the US Asylum for Edward Snowden, anti-gay laws and support for Syria's dictator are just some of the reasons the US is frustrated with Russia. This week, President Obama cancelled a summit with Vladimir Putin. Angry gay-rights supporters here and in Europe are pushing for a boycott of the Russian Winter Olympics. Today, Secretary of State John Kerry is meeting with his Russian counterpart in Washington. He said the two countries sometimes disagree but that's no reason not to negotiate. They'll discuss missile defense, Afghanistan, North Korea and Syria. We look at the frosty relations between the US and Russia.
Israel, Hezbollah and a New Phase in Syria's Civil War The ongoing crisis in Syria continues to raise thorny issues about US intervention in the civil war there. That war began as part of the Arab Spring in 2011 but has developed into the most intractable conflict of the revolutionary movement. More than 70 thousand people have been killed. Now, Hezbollah is stepping up its engagement, helping government forces battle a crucial rebel-held town. That means Iran is also deepening its involvement. US Secretary of State John Kerry met with Russian President Vladimir Putin today in Moscow in an effort to find common cause in the Syrian civil war. Is that conflict entering a new phase? Will Israel's military strikes near Damascus push the US to take action?
Boston Shut Down for Manhunt Dramatic and tragic events continue to unfold in Boston last night and today. The FBI identified the two suspected Boston marathon bombers after they robbed a Seven Eleven store in Watertown, a Boston suburb. That led to a deadly gun battle, which left one of the suspects dead. The city is locked down and an enormous manhunt is underway for the second. Who are Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the two brothers believed to be Suspect 1 and Suspect 2? Does their Chechen background help explain their actions? (L-R) Brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev Courtesy FBI
Conflict Intensifies in Syria Syria's national security chief today became the fourth official to die after Wednesday's rebel bombing of a high-level government meeting in the heart of Damascus. As many as 30,000 Syrians may have crossed into Lebanon in the past 48 hours. In Damascus, the bloodiest fighting yet is reported, as control of strategic neighborhoods appears to pass back and forth between rebels and government forces. Elsewhere, rebels claim to have seized border posts at crossings into Iraq and Turkey, while Syrian media claims the Army has taken them back. International efforts to end Syria's civil war have reached a standstill, and tens of thousands are fleeing the country as fighting escalates from Damascus to international borders. Will the Al-Assad dynasty come to an end? Will it resort to chemical weapons? What are the potential consequences for Middle East and US relations with Russia?
How Will Putin Fare in Russian Elections Sunday? Vladamir Putin is almost certain to regain the presidency in elections in Russia on Sunday, but that victory may be more a reflection of voters' resignation than broad support for his twelve-year rule. Putin, who has been suggesting Russia could walk away from the Start II treaty and is accusing Hillary Clinton of funding protests in his country, is heavily favored. Matthew Rojansky is Deputy Director of the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace .
Protest: Past, Present and Future… Since a desperate young Tunisian burned himself to death last December, it's been a year of protest worldwide. We look at the history of past uprisings, what current ones have in common and whether or not they're likely to accomplish real change. From the Arab Spring to Europe and Russia to Occupy Wall Street, which spread to many American cities. The circumstances are so different from place-to-place that comparisons are risky, but there are some themes that unite them all. We look at the history of past uprisings, what current ones have in common and whether or not they're likely to accomplish real change.
Seven Years after 9/11, How Safe Are We? Osama bin Laden is still at large and al Qaeda is regaining strength. Are we safer now than we were seven years ago? Has the war on terror succeeded in keeping terrorists away from the United States? Has the Department of Homeland Security strengthened our approach to internal security or simply added layers of bureaucracy? What is the right balance of security and liberty? With the Taliban gaining strength in Afghanistan, will we have to re-fight the Afghanistan war? Are Islamic jihadists gaining or losing support in Muslim societies?
Seven Years after 9/11, How Safe Are We? Osama bin Laden still at large and al Qaeda is regaining strength. Are we safer now than we were seven years ago? Has the war on terror succeeded in keeping terrorists away from the United States? Has the Department of Homeland Security strengthened our approach to internal security or simply added layers of bureaucracy? What is the right balance of security and liberty? With the Taliban gaining strength in Afghanistan, will we have to re-fight the Afghanistan war? Are Islamic jihadists gaining or losing support in Muslim societies?
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
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.