As President Vladimir Putin tests Europe’s resolve during the crisis over Ukraine, German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s admiration for Catherine hints at the complex ties binding Germany and Russia together that give her sway over Putin yet constrain her response. Read Here – Bloomberg
Indeed, once the winds of war start blowing, they are impossible to tame. Even if Ukrainians and the West force Putin to retreat, this is not the end of Putin’s revanchism. He is stubborn, determined and vengeful. He may at some point back down, but he’ll be back later. Read Here – Moscow Times
Missing from this “analysis” about how Obama should respond is why Barack Obama should respond. After all, the US has few strategic interests in the former Soviet Union and little ability to affect Russian decision-making. Read Here – The Guardian
In the 12 months since Xi Jinping assumed the presidency of China, he has amassed more power more swiftly than any Chinese leader since Deng Xiaoping, foreshadowing changes in the way China governs itself and deals with the rest of the world. Read Here – Businessweek
Ukraine has become a battleground for western influence and Vladimir Putin’s dream of an expanded Russian sphere of influence Read Here – DNA
The first three months under President Yameen offer a glimpse into the island nation’s future. Read Here – The Diplomat
Will deepening ties between India and Japan hurt the U.S. foreign policy view in Asia? Read Here – The National Interest
Faced with growing expectations, China’s foreign policy is actually becoming more insecure. Read Here – The Diplomat
By breaking convention to publish a critical memoir while a president he served remains in office, the former defense secretary will help shape the historical record. Read Here – The Atlantic
Plenty of pundits have jockeyed to be the top voice on the Middle East, but only one person’s ideas dominate the conversation Read Here – Tablet Magazine
looking beyond borders 