Russia & Central Asia

Recent publications

A protester wearing a face mask with a symbolic blue and white anti-war Russian flag holds a Feminist Anti-war Resistance sign.

The “Other” Russia: The Role of the Anti-War Community in Exile

It is in the interest of European countries to maintain a broad circle of Russian democratic partners with different perspectives and networks inside the country.

Mario Baumann

Armenia: Digital Transformation and Governance Gaps

Challenges for German Foreign and Development Policy

Alena Epifanova

Armenia has the ambition to become a tech hub connecting the South Caucasus with Europe and Asia. The government has placed digital transformation at the center of its national development strategy.

8th European Political Community Summit in Armenia YEREVAN, ARMENIA - MAY 4

Das Ende der Hegemonie

Russlands Einflussverlust im postsowjetischen Raum

Stefan Meister

Russlands Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine verändert die Machtbalance in der postsowjetischen Region. Russland verliert zunehmend an Einfluss auf Kosten der Länder der Regionen sowie externer Mächte und Staatenbündnisse.

On May 21, 2026, Russia’s President Putin takes part in a nuclear exercise via a video link

Russia’s Nuclear Signaling in 2026 and Implications for European Security

Aylin Matlé

András Rácz

Germany and other NATO allies should take policy steps to respond to Russia’s recent ICBM test and nuclear exercises.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addresses supporters from a stage near St. Anna Church in Yerevan, Armenia on January 6, 2026.

Armenia Before the Election

What Kind of Democracy Will Prevail?

Eviya Hovhannisyan

Stefan Meister

Armenia is often seen as a role model in the South Caucasus, especially when it comes to democratization. But this development is accompanied by a increasing personalization of power, weakened institutional autonomy, and a deeply polarized political landscape.

second round of peace talks held by Russia, the US, and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi

Verhandlungen Russland-Ukraine-USA: Theater für Trump?

Stefan Meister

Die seit Anfang des Jahres vor allem in Abu Dhabi durchgeführten Verhandlungen zwischen der Ukraine, Russland und den USA waren ernsthafter als alles andere, was bisher an Verhandlungen für einen Waffenstillstand stattgefunden hat.

Cyberabwehrzentrum der Deutschen Telekom in Bonn

Countering Hybrid Threats

Lessons from Eastern Europe

Anastasia Pociumban

Ricarda Nierhaus

As Russia expands its influence operations, the EU and its member states would benefit from integrating learnings from Eastern Europe into a proactive approach against hybrid threats.