“As Al-Qaeda-related groups gain strength and a significant territorial foothold in these two countries, the threats to neighbors are going to increase; Turkey especially faces an increased risk of becoming the target of terrorism. The policies of Saudi Arabia are also worrisome, with the Saudis increasing their pressure on the United States to commit itself to regime change in Syria. The visit of President Barack Obama to Saudi Arabia in March is going to be an important event in this respect”, – Senior Fellow with the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program Joint Center, Halil Karaveli.

«Events of the night from February 21 to 22 changed not only the Russian foreign policy but, to my mind, relations between Russia and the West and deeply influenced international relations. Russia stopped its geopolitical retreat and shifted from passivity, not only in Ukrainian issue, but in its foreign policy generally, to active approach» – Dmitri Trenin, Director of Carnegie Moscow Center.

The value of International Security index iSi as of March 1, 2014 stands at 2844 points, which is 19 points lower if compared to the previous month. Decrease of the iSi was caused by the worsening political situation in Ukraine, lack of progress in Syrian peace talks, instability in the countries of the Middle East and Africa, and the growing of discontent of the population of the Latin America countries.