Photo: © Dmitriy Shironosov | Dreamstime.com
Behind the Masks in Ukraine, Many Faces of the Rebellion
C.J. Chivers and Noah Sneider, The New York Times
The demographics of the pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine illuminate interesting patterns. Many are former members of Soviet, Russian or Ukrainian military forces, and this background often leads to an affinity for and loyalty to Russia.
Russia and China Pledge Not to Hack Each Other
Olga Razumovskaya, The Wall Street Journal
Russia and China signed an agreement not to direct cyber attacks at each other. The countries also agreed that they will exchange technologies. This agreement changes the U.S. role in global cyber security and reduces its influence in the sector, and also shows a new form of collaboration between China and Russia.
Ruble to the Rescue?
Jamila Trindle, Foreign Policy
The Russian ruble rose sharply in value in April, but this may not be enough to boost the struggling economy. Investors are still reluctant to dive back into the market, and prospects for the ruble and the economy as a whole are not bright, especially given the strong likelihood that the EU will renew its sanctions against Russia in June.
The Short Life and Speedy Death of Russia’s Silicon Valley
James Appell, Foreign Policy
The Skolkovo innovation center was an initiative championed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in the aftermath of the global economic crisis in 2008, when he was president. The project aimed to make Russia a center for technology and decrease the brain drain out of Russia. But many of Russia’s top tech companies are leaving the country now during Vladimir Putin’s third term as president, amid a Kremlin drive to take stricter control of the Internet. There is less cooperation with Silicon Valley, and it looks like technological innovation will not end up as high on the agenda as Medvedev had envisioned.
Out of Kiev’s Hands
Alexander Motyl, Foreign Policy
The Donbas region of eastern Ukraine has become unstable not only because of fighting between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian fighters. The flood of people out of the region has also severely depleted the workforce, and rebuilding the area will be an expensive task that neither Russia nor Ukraine is eager to take on. The lack of fighting-age men in the Donbas means that fighting forces in the region must be supplemented with Russian volunteers and military. This means that the situation cannot continue on much longer, yet there is no clear exit strategy for either Ukraine or Russia.
Russia’s Stumbling Pivot to Asia
Keith Johnson, Foreign Policy
With relations souring between the U.S. and Russia, the Kremlin has started fostering closer ties with the Chinese government. But Beijing understands that it has significant bargaining power over Moscow because Vladimir Putin is in desperate need of strong international allies.
Russia’s Greatest Weapon May Be Its Hackers
Owen Matthews, Newsweek
World governments are only beginning to understand the potential danger presented by hackers from China and Russia. They pose a major threat given their ability to gain access to top secret information, and Russian hackers have been responsible for numerous hacker attacks in recent years.
This week's roundup was compiled by Seraphima Mixon, Liza Layer and Caitlin Thompson.
