Profile
Pietro Shakarian
Biography
Pietro Shakarian is a PhD candidate in Russian History at The Ohio State University in Columbus. He earned his MA in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, his MLIS at Kent State University, and his BA in History at John Carroll University in Cleveland. He also serves as an Associate Editor for the Gomidas Institute. In addition to Russia Direct, he has written analyses on Russia and the former USSR for The Nation and Hetq Online.
The curious case of a Russian blogger that shook the post-Soviet space
The case of Aleksandr Lapshin, a travel blogger based in Moscow with dual Russian-Israeli citizenship, shows how the barriers that were established as a result of the 1991 Soviet break-up create new possibilities for conflict
Read moreWhat the assassination of an ambassador means for Russia, Turkey
If historical precedent is any guide, the assassination of Ambassador Karlov in Ankara might actually bring Russia and Turkey closer together, whatever their differences might be in Syria
Read moreWhat do Georgian elections mean for Moscow-Tbilisi relations?
Based on the strong showing of the Georgian Dream in recent parliamen-tary elections, there is now hope for a broader Russian-Georgian rapprochement that won’t be spoiled by pro-Western parties
Read moreWhat the 1897 Russian census has to do with post-Soviet politics
By understanding demographic trends from more than a century ago, it’s possible to obtain a more nuanced view of the complexities of the current crises in Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh
Read moreMoscow needs to consider new alternatives in Nagorno-Karabakh
An escalation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh requires a new approach to regional stabilization, possibly involving Russian and CSTO peacekeeping forces
Read moreWill Russia cancel its 1921 friendship treaty with Turkey?
By calling into question the validity of the 1921 Treaty of Moscow, Russian politicians may be attempting to rattle Ankara and gain the political support of Georgia and Armenia
Read morePlaying the Kurdish card against Turkey
The long history of Russian ties with the Kurdish community in Syria, Iraq and Turkey might give Moscow leverage in its currently troubled relationship with Ankara. Will the Kremlin use it?
Read moreWhy the Kremlin should have Georgia on its mind
Two recent controversies in Georgia – an ownership dispute over a TV channel and leaks revealing a coup attempt – might have foreign policy implications for the Kremlin
Read moreHow Greece's 'No' will impact EU-Russian relations
The Greece’s vote against the economic reforms proposed by the EU will have far-reaching implications for Europe and Russia, as well as for former Soviet republics such as Georgia and Ukraine
Read moreHere is what happened in the South Caucasus in 2014
In 2014, Moscow attempted to normalize relations with Georgia, integrate Armenia into the new Eurasian Economic Union, and find ways to work with Azerbaijan on Caspian security – all while dealing with a range of territorial disputes in the region
Read moreGorbachev's landmark Berlin speech
At celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Mikhail Gorbachev pointed out the key factors that have nearly led to the start of a new Cold War. He also outlined important proposals that could lead to a de-escalation of tensions within Europe
Read moreDebunking 8 myths about Russia and the former Soviet space
Deeply ingrained in popular Western views of Russia, these are the stereotypes and misconceptions that can lead to the greatest misunderstandings in U.S.-Russian affairs
Read moreSanctions against Russia are dividing Europe more than you think
Instead of a European community acting in concert to punish Russia for its actions in Ukraine, there is a growing diversity of viewpoints on the Ukrainian crisis
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