Henry Plater-Zyberk

The role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in regional politics, and the significance of the organization for U. S. interests, is widely misunderstood. The organization is emphatically not a military bloc, and yet engages in joint activities which resemble military cooperation to U. S. eyes. It is, in theory, open to new members; but at present is highly unlikely to accept any. Its rhetoric firmly opposes U. S. presence and activity on the territory of member states, and yet individual member states leverage basing agreements with the United States to their advantage. This monograph by Mr. Henry Plater-Zyberk seeks to explain the SCO through reviewing its history and stated aspirations, and measuring these against actual achievements. It concludes that with the notable exception of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), the great majority of SCO accomplishments are of little significance other than to provide an additional multinational vehicle through which China, and in particular Russia...

Russia's seizure of Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014 underscored the vast differences between the world views of Russia and the United States. Yet these differences notwithstanding, Russia and the United States do share key security challenges. One of these is terrorism. The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, saw the attendance of a significant number of highprofile U. S. citizens at an event explicitly threatened by Islamic insurgents. This was seen to provide a prime opportunity for the two nations to foster meaningful cooperation against a common threat. Yet, the extent of joint work in counterterrorism with Russia remains insignificant. Written before the Sochi Games, this monograph by Henry Plater-Zyberk explores the Russian approach to counterterrorism, and draws significant conclusions on the prospects for common cause with Russia in fighting terror.