Russia

As Valery Yaschenko, senior vice-director of Moscow University Lomonosov’s Security Institute, put it, “We are aiming to create a glossary of 40 essential terms. In the first stage of this process, we tackled terms containing the word cyber—cyberspace, cyber infrastructure and cyber attack. We created an initial list of 20 terms, and this mini-glossary is already in use around the world. Now we’ve decided to continue our work focusing on specific terms, such as information security, information aggression and information superiority.”

Yaschenko explained further, “We want to provide future negotiators with a clear and concise ‘dictionary’ to further global cooperation in cyberspace. That is why we want to extend our work to Chinese, French and other languages. It is important to say that our goal is to avoid technical and scientific arguments and offer clear and useful ‘political’ definitions.”

EWI’s Karl Rauscher, distinguished fellow and chief technology officer, added, “This time around, in addition to definitions of terms, we want to introduce several recommendations on how these definitions should be used. We want to offer practical ways in which this important work can improve bilateral and multilateral cooperation and overall political discourse on cyberspace.”

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Return to EWI Now. 

CHINA

“Li Keqiang: China economy at crucial stage,” BBC, September 11, 2013.

China’s Premier defended the country’s lowest growth rate in two decades at the World Economic Forum, saying China’s economic growth could not be sustained “without structural transformation and upgrading.” Some see the shrunken rate as an indication of China’s stabilizing growth.

RUSSIA

“Putin Scores on Syria,” Foreign Affairs, September 11, 2013.

Obama has met Putin’s proposal that Syria give up its chemical weapons with a change of plans. In an apparent response to Putin’s pitch, Obama requested that Congress delay its vote on a targeted strike against Assad’s government. “The question now is whether the United States and its allies can out-maneuver Putin to regain the diplomatic advantage.”  

“A Plea for Caution from Russia,” New York Times, September 11, 2013. In a New York Times Op-Ed, President Putin cautions the U.S. against unleashing a military strike on Syria. Putin claims that the chemical attack in question was perpetrated by Syrian rebels, not by Assad’s government, and warns the U.S. against defying international opinion and the possibly regionally destabilizing consequences of a military strike on Syria.

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

“Satellite image suggests North Korea has restarted Yongbyon nuclear reactor: U.S. group,” Reuters, September 12, 2013.

A satellite image from August 31 shows a plutonium production reactor in Yongbyon venting steam, suggesting that North Korea has resumed its nuclear program in spite of its commitment to a 2005 aid-for disarmament agreement with its neighbors and the U.S. This represents a serious development following the country’s highly-publicized nuclear weapons test earlier this year.

“Iran says to work closely with UN nuclear watchdog,” Reuters, September 12, 2013. 

Iran’s new government is touting a “more flexible approach” to its nuclear program. The country’s new president, Hassan Rouhani, has promised increased transparency and negotiability on the subject of Iran’s nuclear program in his upcoming meetings with foreign ministers at the UN General Assembly in New York this month. 

Follow EWI on Twitter @EWInstitute and Facebook for continuing updates.

Compiled by Julia Ghahramani. 

To read the full article in Kommersant, click here. 

Photo: "Sunny city" (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) by Alexander Kozlov

The Parliamentarians Network has developed into a unique actor of change in the international conflict prevention architecture. It has been policy relevant, as it engages decision makers, it has networked across institutions and continents, it has shared knowledge and experience, and it has led an action oriented dialogue on issues that have a bearing on stability and peace, locally, regionally, nationally and globally.

Conflict situations are usually characterized by stalemate at the strategic level, lack of political will for genuine dialogue at national and local levels, lack of societal desire for reconciliation, and all sides at all levels seek to attach political conditions to urgent humanitarian and development needs and activities. The onus is on the international community to take the initiative to make progress both on the ground and at the strategic level.

This shows: preventive diplomacy is a frustrating business to be in. But the Parliamentarians engaged in it are not wasting their time. Preventive diplomacy remains a moral imperative, an economic necessity, a humanitarian must, and a political obligation. The Parliamentarians Network drives this home to governments through its very existence on a daily basis.

In China, there is a story about a doctor, who always cured his patients shortly before they died. For this reason he was famous in the whole valley. There was another doctor, whose patients never fell ill in the first instance. This doctor was unknown. Which doctor do you think was the better one?

Conflicts are essential in order to foster societal change.The yardstick is whether societies manage their conflicts peacefully. Therefore, conflict prevention is not exclusively about preventing violence, it is also about channelling conflicts into peaceful procedures. So conflict prevention is a process rather than a policy.

There is no opposition to preventive diplomacy. In fact, there is a broad consensus about its importance. But experience has shown that rhetorical support for it does not always lead to appropriate action. And where the international community gets engaged, it focuses too much on crisis management and too little on preventive diplomacy; one of the reasons being that crisis management is visible, preventive diplomacy is not: it is quiet diplomacy, it cannot be conducted through the media.

There are two flaws in conflict prevention that the Parliamentarians Network has been trying to overcome: the lack of a prevention lobby in our societies and a lack of a top-down approach in governmental agencies. Remedying these deficits is part of the difficult domestic and international political will-building strategy the Network has been engaged in.

During the next years, tensions and conflicts over access to water and energy continue to endanger stability and security in many parts of the world. Also, the last undivided spaces of the earth: i.e. the cosmos, the oceans, and the cyber space, are likely to cause problems in the future. States with a global vision tend to spread out into these areas, as binding international agreements are lacking in order to regulate the competition here. Furthermore, religious rights of minorities are violated in many regions, especially in Northern Africa and the Middle East. This problem needs special attention, locally and internationally.

The Network should tackle all these challenges through institutionalised dialogue between all stakeholders and with a view to create win-win-situations for all.

Today, we find ourselves in a unique situation in that all decisive forces in world politics, including Russia, China, India and the Muslim world, share, objectively, common basic interests. This is a chance to work for the creation of a cooperative international order by reaching out to decision makers to sensitize them that conflict prevention needs to become part of their decision making. State borders and state power are no longer decisive reference points. Transnational problems require transnational solutions.

In the years to come, the Parliamentarians Network should lead the way in this direction, conscious of what Albert Einstein once said: “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”

Click here to read the editorial on the Parliamentarians Network for Conflict Prevention website. 

CHINA 

“Is Taiwan Part of the ‘Chinese Dream?’” Wall Street Journal, June 18, 2013.

Ever since President Xi Jinping made it clear that the “Chinese Dream” would be at the center of his 10-year term, the world has been scrambling to work out exactly what the “dream” is. “China’s dream won’t be realized until Taiwan, which was separated from the mainland when the losing side in a civil war fled there in 1949, [returns] back into the fold.”

“China’s Foreign Ministry sets up cyber security office.” Xinhuanet, June 14, 2013.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up an office responsible mainly for diplomatic activities regarding cyber affairs. China believes that cyberspace needs neither fighting nor hegemony, but it does need regulations and cooperation.

RUSSIA

“G20 summits: Russia and Turkey react with fury to spying revelations.” The Guardian, June 17, 2013.

Mere days before the opening of the G8 summit in Northern Ireland, The Guardian released NSA documents showing that U.S. spies had intercepted communications between former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and other top Russian officials during the 2009 G-20 summit in London, casting another shadow of mistrust on already troubled U.S.-Russia relations.

“U.S. and Russia sign pact to create communication link on cyber security.” Washington Post, June 17, 2013.

The U.S. and Russia agreed to open communication links on cybersecurity, including the refitting of a Cold War-era “hotline” to serve as a direct line of contact between the U.S. cybersecurity coordinator and his or her Russian counterpart. The agreement was announced Monday at the G8 summit.

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

“Why You Shouldn’t Get Too Excited About Rouhani.” The Atlantic, June 17, 2013.

The election of moderate candidate Hassan Rouhani to the Iranian presidency inspired hope that Iran may be headed in a more constructive direction, particularly with respect to its nuclear program. Mark Dubowitz of The Atlantic warns, however, that Rouhani is in fact a loyal devotee of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate sway in policymaking, and that his demonstrated approach to nuclear negotiation is more deceptive than conciliatory.

“Russia signals nuclear arms cuts will not come easy.” Reuters, June 19, 2013.

Speaking in Berlin this week, President Obama called on Russia to agree to further nuclear arms reduction agreements with the U.S. The appeal was met with a chilly reception in Russia, where Vladimir Putin expressed concerns over U.S. and NATO deployments of anti-missile shields and the development of high-precision non-nuclear weapons, which Russia fears may “disturb the strategic balance.”

Follow EWI on Twitter @EWInstitute and Facebook for continuing updates.

Compiled by Haolin Liu and Andi Zhou.

CHINA

“Obama and Xi Try to Avoid a Cold War Mentality.” New York Times, June 10, 2013.

Over the weekend in California, President Obama and President Xi had their first lengthy talk on issues ranging from economy to cybersecurity. Although they tried hard to prevent the disputes from descending into a cold war mentality, forces on both sides pushed Obama and Xi into that same exact trap.

“China's economy stumbles in May, growth may fall in second quarter.” Reuters, June 10, 2013.

Risks are rising that China's economic growth will fall further in the second quarter and that full-year forecasts will be cut further, but Premier Li Keqiang said the economy was generally stable and that growth was within a "relatively high and reasonable range."

“Chinese Media Suggest N.S.A. Disclosure Will Hurt U.S. Ties.” New York Times, June 14, 2013.

Chinese state media highlighted revelations that the U.S. government was engaged in widespread monitoring of Internet and telephone communications, carrying reports suggesting the disclosures could damage relations between the two countries.

RUSSIA

“Rice and the Russians: Will Obama’s new national security advisor play nice and get along with Moscow?” Foreign Policy, June 7, 2013.

The relatively cordial relationship that the Obama administration has built with Russia may be in for a jolt as Susan Rice assumes the role of national security advisor. As a strong proponent of humanitarian intervention, Rice may irk Russia more than her predecessor did. 

“Putin’s Self-Destruction: Russia’s New Anti-Corruption Campaign Will Sink the Regime.” Foreign Affairs, June 9, 2013.

Over the past few months, Vladimir Putin has ousted and prosecuted many state officials under a new law that forbids officials from maintaining foreign bank accounts. By pursuing this aggressive anti-corruption campaign, Putin risks losing the support of elites and stoking public demand for more radical change, potentially dooming his hold on power.

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

“In Iran Race, All 8 Candidates Toe Hard Line on Nuclear Might.” New York Times, June 9, 2013.

All of the candidates running in today’s Iranian presidential election agree that Iran should not make concessions on its nuclear program. Widespread support for this no-compromise position suggests that international sanctions may be counterproductive to the goal of convincing Iran to end its nuclear program. 

“North Korea’s Dialogue With the South Collapses.” New York Times, June 11, 2013.

High-level talks between the governments of North and South Korea have collapsed after the two sides failed to agree on whether their respective delegations were of an equal rank. The failure of the talks, due to a procedural detail, is symptomatic of the growing mistrust between the two governments. 

Follow EWI on Twitter @EWInstitute and Facebook for continuing updates.

Compiled by Haolin Liu and Andi Zhou.

"On Criticizing China," The Atlantic. May 11. 

"Week In News: Hacking — Made In China," NPR. May 11.

"China Warns Against ‘Dangerous’ Western Value," NYT. May 13.

“U.S. Envoy Talks With Chinese About North Korea,” NYT. May 15. 

“China eyes Arctic options in energy, transport,” CNN. May 16. 

“China warns EU against telecoms probe,” Al Jazeera. May 16. 

“Taiwan says Filipino apology in fisherman's death not enough,” LA Times. May 16. 

"Fearing Afghan Instability, Russia Mulls Border Troops," Reuters. May 17.  

Follow EWI on Twitter @EWInstitute for continuing news updates.

Compiled by Michael McShane, Athina Doutis, Alex Schulman and Haolin Liu.

"China blasts US for Asia-Pacific military build-up,” The Guardian. April 16.

"China is a cyberwar victim too," Foreign Policy. April 16.

"Afghanistan opium production increases for third year," The New York Times. April 16.

“Duma to Consider Lifting Ban on Child Adoptions” The Moscow Times. April 17.

"China Asks to Postpone Japan, Korea Summit," The Wall Street Journal. April 18.

"North Korea lays out tough pre-conditions for talks," The Times of India. April 18.

Follow EWI on Twitter @EWInstitute for continuing news updates.

Compiled by Michael McShane, Athina Doutis, Alex Schulman and Haolin Liu.

In 1989, I was approached by the government of Mikhail Gorbachev for help with a new problem the Soviet Union was facing—drug addiction. At the time, I was administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. We quickly accepted their invitation and traveled to Moscow and met with our law enforcement colleagues. Our goal was to foster better cooperation with our Soviet colleagues, consistent with the international enforcement mission of the DEA. It was in our mutual interest to work with the Soviets as they faced their country’s new but still small addiction to Afghan opiates.

Today, at a time when U.S.-Russia relations have dropped to a new low, the two countries continue to find it in our mutual interest to cooperate in their ant-drug efforts. Given the planned drawdown of U.S. troops from Afghanistan next year, opium from Afghanistan continues to fuel a growing drug crisis in Russia. About 30,000 Russians die each year from heroin-related deaths, and intravenous drug use is the lead factor in the stunning rates of HIV and AIDS in that country. What began as a relatively modest opium abuse problem among the Soviet troops returning from Afghanistan in the 1980s is now a major crisis for Russian society.

Although only about 7 percent of heroin in the United States is of Afghan origin, the flow of drugs from this struggling country threatens us in numerous ways. First and foremost, drug funding supports terrorist activity. Even during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, when the Soviet Union and the United States were on opposing sides of the conflict, the DEA worked with the mujahideen to locate and destroy heroin laboratories. After the withdrawal of Soviet troops and the USSR’s overture for DEA assistance in 1989, we shared the common goal of addressing international drug trafficking. We now have offices in Moscow and Kabul, and Russia’s cooperation and sharing of drug intelligence is a key component of our investigative activity focused on opium from Afghanistan, corruption, and money laundering.

What does this cooperation look like? Today the DEA works on the ground with NATO and Afghan national forces to track down Taliban and other anti-government elements involved in the drug trade. In this work, we rely on assistance and intelligence from Russia’s Federal Drug Control Agency (FSKN) to locate and destroy drug laboratories, and to initiate investigations of trafficking, corruption, and money laundering. It is, in short, an effective partnership with the law enforcement and security agencies operating in Afghanistan.

But there is more that can and should be done to institutionalize such vital cooperation. The demand-side is part of the equation, and the Russian government has sought to learn from our long history of drug treatment, drug education and rehabilitation. But we also must work together on the supply side of the equation. We have continued these efforts in a discreet non-governmental effort to bring U.S. and Russian experts together to cooperate on combatting narcotrafficking from Afghanistan. This effort, led by the EastWest Institute, recently culminated in the publication of a U.S.-Russia joint threat assessment on narcotrafficking. International cooperation is key in any successful strategy.

As the EastWest report acknowledged, the two sides don’t necessarily agree on how to deal with the supply side of the problem. The Russian government has urged massive aerial eradication, taking as an example the U.S. strategy in Colombia. This strategy worked in Colombia in spite of the violent intimidation of the Medellin and Cali cartels that targeted law enforcement and judicial officials, including this writer while Administrator of DEA. But such a strategy cannot be easily translated to the realities of Afghanistan.

If Afghan farmers abruptly lose such a major source of income, the danger is that they quickly will be radicalized, providing new recruits for the Taliban or other antigovernment forces. Washington prefers to put more emphasis on the kind of economic development that would provide new alternatives to poppy cultivation and smuggling.

Despite those disagreements, the areas of shared understanding between the United States and Russia on these drug issues are growing. The main dilemma for counternarcotics efforts is not a strict choice between hard and soft measures prioritizing either eradication/interdiction or alternative development. Any effective counternarcotics strategy requires an integrated enforcement and development solution. It also demands that the United States and Russia continue to work together, no matter what other problems plague our bilateral relationship.

With 27 years in law enforcement, John Lawn served as administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration from 1985 to 1990 and was deputy administrator from 1982 to 1985.

Read this piece at the World Policy Journal.