US Secretary of State John Kerry has announced that the US and Russia have agreed to terms for a general ceasefire in Syria. Leksika explores the terms of the ceasefire agreement, promises of new US-Russia counterterrorism coordination, and the reactions of various factions active in the conflict. This ongoing report will be revised as new developments come to light.  

Moldova's Presidential elections have once again put democracy in this small Eastern European country to the test. Candidates from outside the political mainstream are making serious progress, and come from both pro-EU and pro-Russian camps. In part one of this new series Leksika will provide an overview of the existing candidates and explain why Moscow is likely to gain more influence in Moldova regardless of outcome. 

The failed coup attempt has resulted in a widespread and thorough crackdown in Turkey, providing President Erdogan with an unprecedented opportunity to centralize power. Less publicized however are the similar crackdown attempts against the Gulen movement throughout Eurasia, which has left few in the Caucasus and Central Asia unaffected. 

Despite some recent diplomatic improvements, Russia has consistently been one of the greatest critics of Erdogan's Turkey and its role in the Syrian War. To what extent can these criticisms be validated? Are the United States and other Western powers starting to distance themselves from Turkey in Syria? Leksika's Sean Crowley offers an in-depth investigation. 

Russo-Turkish relations are old and complex. From an imperial rivalry in the 19th century, being Cold War adversaries in the 20th, and to contemporary competition for influence in the Middle East and Caucasus, Moscow and Ankara have long been the main actors in an often volatile borderland between the East and the West. How does this long history influence current events? Leksika's Sean Crowley offers an in-depth look of the background to the current rivalry.

While America’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have played a significant role in shattering the hierarchies of al-Qaeda and the Taliban, they have become rather controversial as they have lead the charge in the War on Terror.  How did UAVs “take off” to play a key role on the battlefield, and do they help or hinder US efforts in the Afghanistan-Pakistan Theater?

Turkey's confrontation with Russia and the ongoing US Presidential election have complicated the already delicate situation in Syria. Where do relations stand now, and what can be expected going forward? What capabilities does Russia still poses in Syria after withdrawing a major portion of their troops? Leksika's Sean Crowley investigates. 

Belarus has long been Moscow's most reliable ally in the former Soviet heartland, but recent developments have led some to wonder if the country may be re-evaluating its stance. Is Belarus drifting further away from Russia? Where do relations stand currently? What progress has there been toward political and economic integration projects between Minsk and Moscow? Leksika's Breellen Plucknett offers insight.

Russia's intervention in Syria has captured international headlines for months, but what kind of blowback has Moscow been facing? Leksika's Sean Crowley investigates, taking an in-depth look at the negative side-effects Russia has faced since launching its Syria campaign, both at home and abroad. 

Recent developments in the Republic of Georgia have largely gone unreported in the Western press. The significant economic, political, and security implications however warrant close attention, as Georgia is positioning itself to be at the center of a new economic order connecting Europe to Iran and Central Asia.  

The all-but-certain involvement of Russian military forces in Eastern Ukraine has caused widespread international criticism. But what about  the voices of opposition at home? Leksika's Sean Crowley investigates, taking a look at how the rising casualty rate is effecting the Russian public's support for their comrades in the Donbass conflict. 

Russia's entry into the Syrian fight has radically changed the country's battlefield, but exactly what kind of firepower is Moscow bringing? Leksika's Sean Crowley investigates, providing an in-depth open-source look at Russia's air campaign in Syria.

Russia's direct entry into the Syrian War has been met with widespread controversy. What are Moscow's strategic aims? How does this benefit Russia in the long-term? Examining the targets of Russian airstrikes in the country can help foreign observers to make better sense of the situation.

The Russian government released its latest national security strategy in December 2015. A close look at this document provides valuable insight into what the country will seek to accomplish in the foreign policy and security spheres over the coming years.

Russo-Turkish rivalry, a force which has shaped the formation of the Balkans, the Middle East, and Eurasia for centuries, appears to have returned from a long dormant period. 

The West's relationship with Russia remained a dominating question of 2015, and 2016 holds promise for much the same.

Ukraine's conflict is falling out of the international spotlight, and is headed for a protracted status similar to that of other frozen conflicts in the region. For now, Russia's foreign policy strategy appears to be succeeding.

Signs point to a decline in the prevalence of radical nationalist groups in Russia. What’s behind this developing trend, and is this the beginning of a turning point in society?