Russian Foreign Policy in Transition

Finnish Foreign Policy Paper 5

Neighbouring an Unpredictable Russia: Implications for Finland

The latest Finnish Foreign Policy Paper analyses Russia’s recent foreign policy and military developments and their implications for Finland. Considering the comprehensiveness of Russia’s actions, it is of the utmost importance for Finland to invest in two things: in strengthening its own society, and in international cooperation.

Finland and Sweden: Partners in defence

Report 48

Nordic Partners of NATO: How similar are Finland and Sweden within NATO cooperation?

With increasingly similar perspectives on threats, the Finland and Sweden could gravitate closer towards each other, and towards NATO, Juha Pyykönen argues in the latest FIIA Report.

Tensions in the EU's Eastern Neighbourhood

Report

Key Actors in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood: Competing perspectives on geostrategic tensions

In the FIIA Report, edited by Kristi Raik and Sinikukka Saari, FIIA researchers and external experts explore the interests and policies of major states and organisations - EU, Russia, US, Turkey, China and the OSCE - in the EU's Eastern Neighbourhood. The report concludes that EU should not shy away from confrontation at any price, and highlights the need for a more proactive EU foreign policy in the region.

The Rise of Geoeconomics

Briefing Paper

China’s Advance in Latin America: Geostrategic Implications for Europe, the US, and the Region Itself

China is rapidly growing its presence in Latin America. While the Chinese activities are predominantly economic, they have long-standing strategic consequences for Europe, the US and the region itself. After a recent change towards more pro-Western political leadership in the region, Europe and the US should seize the moment and engage with Latin America on a more equal footing by offering actual multilateralism, in contrast to China’s more bilateral approach, Mikael Wigell argues in the latest FIIA Briefing Paper.

US foreign policy beyond 2016

FIIA Report 46

After Rebalance: Visions for the future of US foreign policy and global role beyond 2016

The foreign policy of the United States has often been seen as oscillating between an isolationist perspective and interventionist tendencies. This fluctuation between minimalism and maximalism allows future foreign policy to be evaluated, if one can correctly diagnose which phase of the supposed back-and-forth movement the US is currently in. A new FIIA Report, edited by Mika Aaltola and Anna Kronlund, examines visions for the future of US foreign policy and global role beyond 2016.

Russia's strategy of deception

Report 45

Fog of Falsehood: Russian Strategy of Deception and the Conflict in Ukraine

A new FIIA Report edited by Katri Pynnöniemi and András Rácz analyses Russian propaganda and disinformation – here collectively called strategic deception – concerning the conflict in Ukraine. The case studies of the report examine the emergence of pre-formulated Russian metanarratives and concepts in various EU countries. Despite similar methods the Soviet propaganda was anchored in ideological truth claims, while the contemporary Russian variant can be compared to a kaleidoscope: a light piercing through it is instantly transformed into multiple versions of reality.

German leadership in the EU

Report 44

Europe’s New Political Engine: Germany’s role in the EU’s foreign and security policy

The economically strong Germany has become Europe’s new political engine. It has become an unlikely and unusual foreign policy leader, which still differs in various aspects from traditional foreign policy powerhouses. The latest FIIA Report, edited by Niklas Helwig, analyses the way in which Germany took up its new role and the implications that German leadership has for the EU’s foreign and security policy.

Energy Geoeconomics

Briefing Paper 191

Dividing the EU with energy? Unpacking Russia's energy geoeconomics

Russia’s economic ideology is increasingly based on its national security interests instead of modernisation or free trade. Russia’s use of its energy resources as a means of enhancing its strategic influence in its neighbourhood and the EU can be analysed as energy geoeconomics, Toivo Martikainen and Antto Vihma argue.

The Finnish institute of International Affairs