Beijing and Moscow beyond the SCO summit   
So what really happened at the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), last week in Kazakhstan? Compared to expectations at fever pitch, it was a rather measured affair; more of a road map than a game-changer. Still, China, Russia and four Central Asian "stans" - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan - went way beyond a predictable security/economic cooperation menu.        (Al Jazeera)

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Chinese growing interest in Siberia   
   

There are just 6 million Russians left on the Siberian side of the border with China. Ninety million Chinese, backed by a voracious economy, live on the other side. China's influence in Russia's far east is growing rapidly and Siberia has become the raw material supplier to Beijing's economic miracle. (Spiegel)

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The new India-Russia-Kazakh trio   
  

The relations between India and Kazakhstan, the oil-rich Central Asian state, go back to more than 2500 years and archaeological evidence corroborates the migration of Saka tribes from the present-day Kazakhstan to India’s northwest frontier. (Russia & India Report)

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Russian naval visit a message for Beijing    
  

Just as the Chinese navy uses warships returning from anti-piracy patrols in the Indian Ocean to fly the flag in Southeast Asian ports, the Russian Pacific Fleet returns to Vietnam early next month to highlight one of the region's most intriguing - and enduring - strategic relationships. (The South China Morning Post)

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China-Russia relations and the United States: At a turning point?   
     

Since the end of the Cold War, the improved political and economic relationship between Beijing and Moscow has affected a range of international security issues. China and Russia have expanded their bilateral economic and security cooperation. In addition, they have pursued distinct, yet parallel, policies regarding many global and regional issues.
Yet, Chinese and Russian approaches to a range of significant subjects are still largely uncoordinated and at times in conflict. Economic exchanges between China and Russia remain minimal compared to those found between most friendly countries, let alone allies.         (RIA Novosti)

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Russia helps Bangladesh join the South Asian nuclear gold rush   
   

Bangladesh’s recent announcement of a deal with Russia to construct its first nuclear reactor marks a broadening of the nuclear gold rush in South Asia. The latest deal is part of a big expansion of nuclear generation throughout the region. India plans to build some 25,000 MW of nuclear generating capacity using Russian, French and perhaps US and Japanese technology; Pakistan is building a second nuclear plant with Chinese assistance; and Sri Lanka is reportedly in talks with China to build nuclear capacity. (East Asia Forum)

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What Can the United States Learn from Russia’s Relations with ASEAN Countries?      

Neither the current US administration nor US academics recognize Russia as a major Asian power. The 2010 US National Security Strategy invokes Russia as a partner in Eurasia but says nothing about its role in Asia. Indeed, both US and Chinese experts consistently disregard Russia as a significant player in Asia. Russia's role in the on-again, off-again Six-Party Talks regarding North Korea is one example of this disdain. Although Russia faces many obstacles to becoming a credible Asian actor, Moscow is making resolute diplomatic overtures to secure its Asian standing. (Asia Pacific Bulletin)

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Northern isles long part of Russia's Far East strategy   

Russia's plans to strengthen its military presence in the Northern Territories may seem like a direct response to recent comments by Japanese officials over the disputed isles. But Moscow has long positioned the four islands northeast of Hokkaido within its security and economic strategies for the entire Russian Far East. (The Asahi)

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Global Insights: Russia's Positive Role in Korea Talks   

Many observers of the Korean Peninsula have traced the apparent relaxation of tensions there to the supporting contributions made by China and the United States, with attention now focusing on the upcoming inter-Korean dialogue. But Russia’s role in this process also deserves mention, since Moscow can be a positive force regarding the Koreas. (World Politics Review)

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Could Russia re-direct its economy towards China?   

Despite Russia being the world's main exporter and China the main consumer of energy resources, these two neighbours have not been doing much trade with each other. (BBC)

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Watch out for Russian wild card in Asia-Pacific   

Just before we were tucking into Christmas turkey and plum pudding, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi to reaffirm what the Russian leader called a "privileged partnership" between the two countries. (The Australian)

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What Russia can do on North Korea   

Events over the past few weeks have underscored Moscow’s desire to play a major role in resolving the disputes between North Korea and its neighbours. But they’ve also highlighted the limits of Moscow’s influence. (The Diplomat)

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New START Is Not About China  
China’s Nuclear Weapons Diversification and Modernization is not a legitimate reason to Delay Ratifying New START. (CogitAsia) 

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