Elkhan Nuriyev is a global energy associate at the Brussels Energy Club. He was a DAAD senior policy fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) in 2014.

The mounting tension over Ukraine has introduced numerous dangers to the security situation in the South Caucasus. These negative ramifications are further exacerbated by the fact that Russia holds the key to resolving conflicts in the post-Soviet realm, especially in the absence of greater Western assertiveness. But Moscow and Brussels are caught up in geopolitical competition over the region. Such continued competition prolongs the cycles of instability and could sooner or later spill over into Russia and the EU. Devising a coherent strategy for the region that focuses on an integrated, coordinated approach and recognizes the shared interests of Russia, the EU, and the South Caucasus countries is a pressing challenge that remains unmet.

'Twas a pity that, after the initial Atlantic geopolitics of Mahan and Mackinder, geopolitics was talked about less in the Atlantic than by the Germans and Russians, where it took on the characteristics you discuss of being too static and eternal. Probably there is too much of that in Mackinder too. What most people didn't realize was that that was not the case of what most Atlantic geopoliticians were saying.

November 2014 has been full on international events. First, the world, especially European part of it, celebrated 25th anniversary of the fall of Berlin wall. Then world leaders met on several occasions: during the APEC summit, then shared coffee in sunny Brisbane in Australia on G20. The headlines are still bursting with interpretations and speculations on what has been achieved and what opportunities have been thrown away. This digest features some essays and opinions on these recent events. And not only. Find here: APEC, G20 economies and green management, Ukrainian crisis, the fall of the Berlin wall, Kosovar stalemate, building cyber confidence, new perception of globalization, a new wave of emerging countries and Global Outlook for 2015.

In collaboration with the Faculty of Social Sciences, Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE), Budapest and the EUinDepth FP7 project.

June 29 –July 10, 2015, Budapest, Hungary.

Application deadline: February 14, 2015

In this digest of international publications you will find a variety of topics: changing Indian strategy in the Asia-Pacific and the future of the US-Indian partnership, constitutional reforms in Morocco, development of Polish nuclear energy sector, new face of Chinese think-tanks, EU’s commitments in providing development assistance for the third world countries, Afghan political system after elections and a publication on human trafficking and online networks.

Authors: Ernesto Gallo and Giovanni Biava.

This summer sovereign rating agencies have been quite active; in particular, Moody’s has disturbed the sleep of many Europeans. On 5 August the US-based agency slashed France’s growth forecast to a modest 0.6%; few days later, it was Italy’s turn, with a cut to a depressing -0.1%, which would mark Italy’s third consecutive year of recession. Should we worry about it? Why is credit rating regarded as so important? Why does one agency come out of the blue in mid-August and draws the attention of the media, politics, and businesses? What game are sovereign credit rating agencies playing? Shouldn’t they just act as impartial referees?

Author: Masha Mitaeva, MSc Public Policy and Administration Programme (London School of Economics and Political Science).

Three months since the beginning of the Kiev government military operation against anti-government rebels in Ukraine’s south-east, Europe appears to be acting to the detriment of its reputation as a peace and rule-of-law project, as well as its broader economic and trade interests and political goals in the region.

Authors: Ernesto Gallo and Giovanni Biava.

For the first time since its adoption, the euro last year risked falling apart, and bringing down the whole EU edifice. Shaken by international financial speculation (mainly on Wall Street), several EU countries (Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and at times even France and Austria) have been engulfed in a sovereign debt crisis that has proven to be only the tip of an iceberg.

This digest features several publication reviews on cyber issues, an edition on Brazilian economic competitiveness, Russian comeback as a naval power in the waters of the Black sea, a new dataset on Pacific transport connectivity and trade exchanges, another extensive analytical piece on transforming monetary system and a closing issue on Islamic state as a possible threat to Africa.

This digest is a comeback from our summer break. A variety of topics is presented here: International monetary system, Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, US Strategic Partnerships in Asia-Pacific Region, ISIS extremist activities in the Middle East, China in the Middle East, Ukrainian crisis and arms control and a bit more.

The tension between Russia and the West over Ukraine has caused the Baltic Sea region to reexamine its relationship with its geopolitical neighbor, Russia. Specifically, the nations of this region have begun to evaluate the repercussions of a prolonged Ukrainian crisis and Russian actions in regard to security, economy, energy and even daily life. This region, however, consists of an eclectic group of Nordic countries and former Soviet states, which means that they may not focus on the same issues as the entire European Union or even agree amongst themselves on how to respond. For this reason, the Russian International Affairs Council has provided you with various reports from think tanks and press agencies across the region on various topics to inform our readers of the recent discussions, concerns and recommendations of the diverse Baltic Sea region.

In this digest you will find a review of recent publications on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, nuclear negotiations with Iran, the occupation of Iraqi territories by the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, and the creation of the BRICS Bank.

In the past few months Ukraine became the centre of international attention. Tragic events have taken lives of many Ukrainian citizens while the political turmoil has brought the country in a difficult position. The Russian Federation, European Union and BRICS are eager to solve the crisis in a peaceful diplomatic way. Here are some recent published articles by experts, columnists and news agencies from BRICS countries, other than the Russian Federation.

The main agenda of the Youth Summit included growth, jobs, global leadership and sustainable development. Russia's youth delegation played a pivotal role in preparing the final document and presenting the results, for Russia was part of a troika together with presiding Australia and Turkey, which will take up the presidency in 2015.

In July 2014, in the run-up to the G20 Summit, Sydney hosted the Y20, one of several formats aimed at helping global leaders become informed about the expectations of the most important social organizations represented by the Civil 20, Business 20, ThinkTank 20 and Labor 20, each of which has its own interests and policy recommendations.

Chen Yu, research fellow of Institute of Russian Studies at China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR).
Political influence of BRICS is growing. In my personal opinion, BRICS will become a new global center of influence not only in economy, but also in international relations, because it reflects the direction of world development - multi-polarization. BRICS will contribute to the development and peace of whole world. And we should continue to improve and complete the institutes of BRICS and make it more effective.

In June 2014 Bulgaria and Serbia announced the suspension of works on the South Stream pipeline. What is the fate of the South stream pipeline in such a situation? Will Bulgaria and Serbia bring economic damage? What does European Commission evaluate the situation on the South Stream pipeline? Dr. Carole Nakhle, Energy Economist, Surrey Energy Economics Centre and Fellow, Carnegie Middle East Centre, offer her views here.

Early July summer heat seems to have reached international affairs too. Everyone is either watching Mundial 2014 or relaxing at some spa beach resort. And yet the hectic world of IR is moving, experts are giving their opinion and politics is on the go. Here you will find publications on: a forever memory of the First World war beginning, changing European political landscape, Russian-Georgian normalization, Sino-American geopolitical interests and a book on Global Value exchange.

In this digest you will find what Turkey has to change in its geopolitical approach towards Iraq, mistakes Russia has made when using soft power in the neighborhood, differences and similarities between Caspian region, Arctic and Antarctic, what has changed a year after Edward Snowden’s case and how elections will change the African Union security architecture.

This digest was inspired by the ongoing debates about the Middle East and South Asia. History is not letting go of Israel and Palestine, again and again bringing this story to the very center of the international relations. No efficient way to cut this Gordian knot. Yet. Here you will find Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Kazakhstan and at the very end India with its economic dilemmas. And maps to guide you through this tale of many cities.