By Maximilian Hess Mongolia’s geography lends itself to cliches – the proverbial rock and a hard place fits aptly with Russia to the north and China to its south. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, and with it the tight grip Moscow once held over the country, Mongolia has, however, flourished. This unique success story is built on the back of Mongolians’ commitment to developing democratic institutions and the country’s openness to foreign investment. But Mongolia’s position is at risk, from without and within. Vladimir Putin with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh during the R…