Russia’s War in Ukraine

Understanding the conflict one year on.

A poster of Russian President Vladimir Putin is used as target practice near Zolote, Ukraine, on Jan. 21, 2022.
A poster of Russian President Vladimir Putin is used as target practice near Zolote, Ukraine, on Jan. 21, 2022.

Can Russia Ever Become a ‘Normal’ European Nation?

Ironically, a defeat by Ukraine could trigger Russians to reexamine their national identity.

A person in military uniform is seen from the back, holding a door open in daylight.
A person in military uniform is seen from the back, holding a door open in daylight.

A Report Card on the War in Ukraine

If year two of the war were a carbon copy of the first, Russia would control almost one-third of Ukraine next February.

A wounded soldier holds his head.
A wounded soldier holds his head.

‘Killing Was a Game for Russians’

The war in Ukraine is a year old. Here are the stories of some who have survived.

Battlefield Strategy

Ukrainian servicemen rest as they make a trench near Bakhmut.
Ukrainian servicemen rest as they make a trench near Bakhmut.

Ukraine Braces for Grisly Russian Offensive in the East

Russia is sending more bodies. Ukraine doesn’t have enough. And the tanks won’t arrive in time.

Ukrainian service members fire on Russian positions.
Ukrainian service members fire on Russian positions.

Ukraine Needs Long-Range Firepower for Victory

Kyiv’s allies should give it the ability to shift strategic gears.

An M1 Abrams battle tank of the U.S. Army
An M1 Abrams battle tank of the U.S. Army
Belarusian soldiers in the pro-Ukraine Kastus Kalinouski Regiment practice tying tourniquets in a battlefield simulation in Ukraine.
Belarusian soldiers in the pro-Ukraine Kastus Kalinouski Regiment practice tying tourniquets in a battlefield simulation in Ukraine.

Meet the Belarusian Regiment Fighting for Ukraine

Someday, soldiers hope to return home and topple Lukashenko.

Wartime Diplomacy

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pose for a photo before a trilateral meeting on Syria in Tehran on July 19.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pose for a photo before a trilateral meeting on Syria in Tehran on July 19.

How Ukraine Has Changed Russian Diplomacy

Moscow is shunning legacy platforms for dialogue—and creating its own.

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his annual state-of-the-nation address at the Gostiny Dvor conference center in central Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his annual state-of-the-nation address at the Gostiny Dvor conference center in central Moscow.

Putin’s New START Announcement and the Future of Arms Control

Russia and the United States hold about 90 percent of the world’s nuclear weapons. What happens when they’re no longer talking?

Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin meet during the U.S.-Russia summit at Villa La Grange on June 16, 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin meet during the U.S.-Russia summit at Villa La Grange on June 16, 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Talking With Russia Is Tempting—and Wrong

Why it’s still too soon for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

A woman hugs her soldier friend in Kherson, Ukraine.
A woman hugs her soldier friend in Kherson, Ukraine.

Regional Dynamics

A rescuer walks through rubble in Ukraine.
A rescuer walks through rubble in Ukraine.
An encounter with the local authorities in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
An encounter with the local authorities in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Russia’s Great Reverse Migration

Central Asians used to flee the Soviet empire’s periphery for Moscow. Russia’s mobilization has sent escaping Muscovites in the other direction.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko watches training launches of ballistic missiles as part of the Grom-2022 Strategic Deterrence Force exercise at the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow on Feb. 19, 2022.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko watches training launches of ballistic missiles as part of the Grom-2022 Strategic Deterrence Force exercise at the Russian Defense Ministry in Moscow on Feb. 19, 2022.

Ukraine and Belarus Are Fighting the Same War

A Russian defeat in Ukraine could send Belarus’s dictator packing.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz briefs the press on Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the German Chancellery in Berlin on Feb. 24.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz briefs the press on Russia's invasion of Ukraine at the German Chancellery in Berlin on Feb. 24.

Why Germany Has Learned the Wrong Lessons From History

On Russia and Ukraine, Germans remain wedded to historical and geopolitical delusions.

latest stories

A Ukrainian special forces soldier stands in front of a burning gas station after Russian attacks in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on March 30, 2022.
A Ukrainian special forces soldier stands in front of a burning gas station after Russian attacks in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on March 30, 2022.

How to Benchmark Victory in Ukraine

Western vagueness about war aims is creating a risky vacuum for the Kremlin to exploit.

U.S. Marines land in Cuba
U.S. Marines land in Cuba

The U.S. Should Get Over Its Short War Obsession

No one wants long, grueling wars—but the consequences of impatience can be worse.

A woman demonstrates in front of the Russian Embassy in Buenos Aires.
A woman demonstrates in front of the Russian Embassy in Buenos Aires.

Why Latin America Will Stay Nonaligned

As Argentina’s president prepares to meet with the U.S. president, the bloc’s consensus on Russia’s war in Ukraine will be put to the test.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Chinese President Xi Jinping make a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Chinese President Xi Jinping make a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow.

Russia Has the Hydrocarbons, but China Has the Cash

Moscow is stumbling on energy diplomacy even now.

A close-up view of a TV camera is shown in front of a large, green RT logo.
A close-up view of a TV camera is shown in front of a large, green RT logo.

Russia’s Disinformation Machine Has a Middle East Advantage

Russian state-run media outlets have spread the Kremlin’s Ukraine war narrative effectively in the region.

Vladimir Putin (R), then Russia's prime minister, walks with former U.S. President Bill Clinton at the state residence of the Russian president, Novo-Ogaryovo, outside Moscow.
Vladimir Putin (R), then Russia's prime minister, walks with former U.S. President Bill Clinton at the state residence of the Russian president, Novo-Ogaryovo, outside Moscow.

The Nuclear Education of Vladimir Putin

There is evidence the Russian president is not ignorant of the security benefits of arms control.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow.

It’s Easy But Wrong to Be Cynical About Putin’s Indictment

The charges may be an important step in pushing global justice forward.

Retired Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove (R), former NATO supreme allied commander Europe and former commander of the U.S. European Command, testifies at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the U.S.-Russian relationship in Washington, D.C.
Retired Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove (R), former NATO supreme allied commander Europe and former commander of the U.S. European Command, testifies at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the U.S.-Russian relationship in Washington, D.C.

The Case for Ramping Up Military Support for Ukraine

Philip Breedlove, a former supreme allied commander for NATO, says policymakers are falling for Putin’s nuclear rhetoric.

A U.S. Army Bradley infantry fighting vehicle is seen in a military exercise between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the U.S.-led international coalition near Deir ez-Zor, Syria, on Dec. 7, 2021.
A U.S. Army Bradley infantry fighting vehicle is seen in a military exercise between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the U.S.-led international coalition near Deir ez-Zor, Syria, on Dec. 7, 2021.
People protest Russian war crimes in Ukraine while in Vienna.
People protest Russian war crimes in Ukraine while in Vienna.

Putin Wanted by ICC Over Alleged War Crimes

The court has issued arrest warrants for the Russian president and another senior official over the forcible deportation of Ukrainian children.

An aerial view shows ships at the anchorage area of the Bosphorus southern entrance in Istanbul.
An aerial view shows ships at the anchorage area of the Bosphorus southern entrance in Istanbul.

Crunch Time Looms for Black Sea Grain Export Deal

Russia wants more concessions to keep allowing vital food exports to leave Ukrainian ports.

Family members grieve on the coffin of murdered civilian Ruslan Nechyporenko, 47, during his graveside funeral in Bucha, Ukraine.
Family members grieve on the coffin of murdered civilian Ruslan Nechyporenko, 47, during his graveside funeral in Bucha, Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken greets then-U.S. Charge d’Affaires to Belgium Nicholas Berliner.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken greets then-U.S. Charge d’Affaires to Belgium Nicholas Berliner.

Seasoned Russia Envoy Joins Biden’s NSC

Nicholas Berliner, a veteran diplomat, has joined the White House to run Russia policy.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is welcomed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni upon her arrival at Chigi Palace in Rome on January 9, 2023.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is welcomed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni upon her arrival at Chigi Palace in Rome on January 9, 2023.

Russia’s War Has Unified Europe’s Opposing Sides

The invasion of Ukraine has finally reconciled Europe’s liberals and nationalists.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.

Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War

Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.

Zelensky and Stoltenberg stand side by side at podiums. A Ukrainian flag and a NATO flag stand between them.
Zelensky and Stoltenberg stand side by side at podiums. A Ukrainian flag and a NATO flag stand between them.

Europe’s New Frontier

We thought there were buffer states in Europe. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has revealed they are frontier ones.

Ukrainian soldiers fire a French CAESAR self-propelled howitzer towards Russian positions in eastern Ukraine on June 15, 2022.
Ukrainian soldiers fire a French CAESAR self-propelled howitzer towards Russian positions in eastern Ukraine on June 15, 2022.

Arm Ukraine or Prepare for China? Wrong Question.

No matter the goal, Washington needs to quickly fill gaps in defense production.

Russian President Vladimir Putin looks on during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on April 20, 2022.
Russian President Vladimir Putin looks on during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on April 20, 2022.

Don’t Trust Russia’s Numbers

Moscow has made economic statistics a central part of its information war.

Three swords were handed over to the Ukrainian government in Washington.
Three swords were handed over to the Ukrainian government in Washington.

Ukraine’s Newest Weapons Shipment Is From 300 B.C.

An embassy event celebrates the seizure of ancient swords from a would-be Russian smuggler.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov holds a press conference at United Nations headquarters in New York on Sept. 24, 2022.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov holds a press conference at United Nations headquarters in New York on Sept. 24, 2022.

America Is Still Losing the Information War

Washington urgently needs a 21st-century communication strategy.

People walk past a Kremlin star bearing the letter Z.
People walk past a Kremlin star bearing the letter Z.

Staring Down the Black Hole of Russia’s Future

A Ukrainian victory may be the country’s only chance at long-term salvation.

Ukrainian servicemen move towards the front line near Bakhmut, Ukraine, on March 8.
Ukrainian servicemen move towards the front line near Bakhmut, Ukraine, on March 8.

Incrementalism Is Throttling U.S. Support for Ukraine

Ad hoc, one-off decisions and lagging implementation are undermining the strategic effects of U.S. military assistance.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives to deliver his annual state of the nation address in Moscow on Feb. 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives to deliver his annual state of the nation address in Moscow on Feb. 21.

The World Isn’t Slipping Away From the West

The United States and Europe get a few things wrong about global attitudes toward Russia’s war in Ukraine.

People perform and sing carols during the opening of a "Yurt of Invincibility," a heating tent organized by representatives of the Kazakh diaspora in Ukraine, in central Kyiv on Jan. 14.
People perform and sing carols during the opening of a "Yurt of Invincibility," a heating tent organized by representatives of the Kazakh diaspora in Ukraine, in central Kyiv on Jan. 14.

Is the Ukraine War an Anti-Colonial Struggle?

Fellow victims of Russian imperialism are finding solidarity with Kyiv.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Sept. 16, 2022.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on Sept. 16, 2022.

China’s Ukraine Peace Plan Is Actually About Taiwan

Beijing’s phony proposal lays bare its conditions for winning an East Asian war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov oversee military exercises.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov oversee military exercises.

Iran Doubles Down on Arms for Russia

Despite fresh salvos of Western sanctions, Tehran and Moscow are buddying up on defense ties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov walk as they attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Bishkek on June 14, 2019.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov walk as they attend a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State in Bishkek on June 14, 2019.

Putin Has Assembled an Axis of Autocrats Against Ukraine

Russia’s war is receiving critical assistance from authoritarian regimes around the world. 

Russian soldier patrols the Mariupol theater.
Russian soldier patrols the Mariupol theater.

A Private Company Is Using Social Media to Track Down Russian Soldiers

Open-source investigations were once potent journalistic tools, but in Ukraine, they’re being used on the battlefield.

A person waits for the start of the 11th emergency special session of the General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City.
A person waits for the start of the 11th emergency special session of the General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City.

The U.N. Has Turned Turtle on the Ukraine War

A paralyzed Security Council and a toothless General Assembly can’t come to grips with Russia’s challenge to the international order.

A girl attends a prayer vigil for peace in Ukraine at an English cathedral.
A girl attends a prayer vigil for peace in Ukraine at an English cathedral.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin puts on ear phones during a press conference at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich on December 2, 2010 after Russia was chosen to host the 2018 World Cup.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin puts on ear phones during a press conference at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich on December 2, 2010 after Russia was chosen to host the 2018 World Cup.

Putin’s Russian Critics Are Growing Ever Louder

The most pointed criticisms of the war are coming from those charged with fighting it.

Mourners attend the funeral for killed Ukrainian serviceman and anti-corruption activist Roman Ratushny (portrait) at a cemetery in Kyiv on June 18, 2022.
Mourners attend the funeral for killed Ukrainian serviceman and anti-corruption activist Roman Ratushny (portrait) at a cemetery in Kyiv on June 18, 2022.

War Hasn’t Deterred Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Fighters

Activists argue the struggles for state transparency and national liberation are one and the same.

Pro-Russian fighters of Vostok (East) battalion rip apart an Ukrainian flag outside a regional state building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk on May 29, 2014.
Pro-Russian fighters of Vostok (East) battalion rip apart an Ukrainian flag outside a regional state building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk on May 29, 2014.

The Conversation About Ukraine Is Cracking Apart

What government officials are saying in public, and private, is fascinating—and full of contradictions.

A portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin on a tombstone.
A portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin on a tombstone.

An End to the War Doesn’t Mean the End of Putin

Russia may well emerge from the war poor, belligerent, and with President Vladimir Putin still in power.

Flags of the European Union countries are gathered together ahead of the EU enlargement ceremony April 30, 2004 in Dublin, Ireland.
Flags of the European Union countries are gathered together ahead of the EU enlargement ceremony April 30, 2004 in Dublin, Ireland.

Ukraine’s War Has Finally Made Europe a Home

Russia’s invasion has made Europeans more emotionally attached to the continent than ever before.

A Ukrainian flag is readied to be unfurled.
A Ukrainian flag is readied to be unfurled.

A Surreal Evening at the Russian Embassy

Caviar and vodka on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine.

Police officers detain a man during a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Police officers detain a man during a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Putin Needs Repression to Run an Unpopular War

The Russian state is doing more than ever to crush dissent.

Russian sergeant Aleksander Aleksandrov (R) and captain Yevgeny Yerofeyev (L) listen to the verdict during a court hearing on April 18, 2016 in Kyiv.
Russian sergeant Aleksander Aleksandrov (R) and captain Yevgeny Yerofeyev (L) listen to the verdict during a court hearing on April 18, 2016 in Kyiv.

Ukraine Can Change the Future of Prosecuting Crimes of Aggression

The right to life trumps the right to fight, and knowledge of a war’s damage trumps belief in its justice.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a concert marking Defender of the Fatherland Day at Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on Feb. 22.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a concert marking Defender of the Fatherland Day at Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on Feb. 22.

Russia Sanctions: 10 Lessons and Questions for What Comes Next

What has the West learned from one year of unprecedented economic sanctions?

Putin is seen from the side, standing at a podium.
Putin is seen from the side, standing at a podium.

Where Is Vlad’s Mind?

Putin’s anti-Western speech elicited eye rolls, even at the Kremlin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency in Moscow.

‘Putin Still Believes Russia Will Prevail’

Angela Stent and Michael Kofman discuss one year of the war in Ukraine—and what to expect next on the battlefield.

Mark Rutte, Prime Minister, of the Netherlands speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting to improve United Nations Peacekeeping Operations on March 28, 2018 at the United Nations in New York.
Mark Rutte, Prime Minister, of the Netherlands speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting to improve United Nations Peacekeeping Operations on March 28, 2018 at the United Nations in New York.

The War in Ukraine Affects Us All

The Netherlands’ prime minister argues that Russia’s war is a great-power conflict—with the world’s small states near its center.

People pose for photographs in front of a picture of a postage stamp showing an artists impression of the Kerch bridge on fire on October 8, 2022 in central Kyiv, Ukraine.
People pose for photographs in front of a picture of a postage stamp showing an artists impression of the Kerch bridge on fire on October 8, 2022 in central Kyiv, Ukraine.

Ukraine Is Serious About Taking Back Crimea

A Ukrainian attack on the Russian-occupied peninsula might only be a matter of time.

A new map displayed at a book store in Moscow shows several regions of eastern and southern Ukraine as part of Russia, on Feb. 8.
A new map displayed at a book store in Moscow shows several regions of eastern and southern Ukraine as part of Russia, on Feb. 8.

The Return of the Russia Question

What kind of country do Russians want to live in after the war?

An anti-government opposition activist places European Union and Ukrainian flags side by side at a barricade in Kyiv.
An anti-government opposition activist places European Union and Ukrainian flags side by side at a barricade in Kyiv.

Why the West Is Afraid of Ukraine’s Victory

The West’s historical anxieties have made it impossible to come to terms with the war’s reality.

U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

Biden Makes Historic Visit to Wartime Ukraine

Side by side with Zelensky, the U.S. president declares: “We stand here together.”

Ukraine soldier in front of bombed building
Ukraine soldier in front of bombed building

U.S. Deterrence Failed in Ukraine

Washington’s prewar efforts were weak and inadequate.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer Minority Leader Mitch McConnell walks through the U.S. Capitol building during a joint session of Congress on March 1, 2022.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer Minority Leader Mitch McConnell walks through the U.S. Capitol building during a joint session of Congress on March 1, 2022.
Macron, Duda, and Scholz stand side by side behind microphones.
Macron, Duda, and Scholz stand side by side behind microphones.
A woman lays a flower by a wall of national memory on October 19, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
A woman lays a flower by a wall of national memory on October 19, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
A Ukrainian serviceman demonstrates a drone carrying a mock grenade in Bakhmut
A Ukrainian serviceman demonstrates a drone carrying a mock grenade in Bakhmut
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg addresses a press conference following British, French, and U.S. strikes against Syria's regime at the NATO headquarters in Brussels.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg addresses a press conference following British, French, and U.S. strikes against Syria's regime at the NATO headquarters in Brussels.

NATO Chiefs Try to Jump-Start the Aid Ukraine Really Needs

It’s all about artillery rounds and air defense, not just tanks and fighter jets.

A Finnish conscript participates in military training at the Karelia Brigade firing range in Vekaranjärvi, Finland, on May 19, 2022.
A Finnish conscript participates in military training at the Karelia Brigade firing range in Vekaranjärvi, Finland, on May 19, 2022.

For Europe, Military Conscription Is No Answer to Russia’s War

As large-scale conflict appears possible again, NATO members should focus on reserves.

Dmitry Medvedev (center in the group of officials), an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin who is now deputy chairman of the country's security council, visits the Omsktransmash (Omsk transport machine factory) in the southern Siberian city of Omsk.
Dmitry Medvedev (center in the group of officials), an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin who is now deputy chairman of the country's security council, visits the Omsktransmash (Omsk transport machine factory) in the southern Siberian city of Omsk.

Russia Has Already Lost in the Long Run

Even if Moscow holds onto territory, the war has wrecked its future.

A pro-Russia militiaman guards a barricade in front of the flag of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic outside a regional police building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slovyansk.
A pro-Russia militiaman guards a barricade in front of the flag of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic outside a regional police building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slovyansk.

The Other Ukraine War

A new book examining Russia’s 2014 invasion of eastern Ukraine reveals some uncomfortable truths.

A woman gives the middle finger to destroyed Russian tank exhibited in Kyiv
A woman gives the middle finger to destroyed Russian tank exhibited in Kyiv

Ukrainian Women’s Looks Are None of Your Business

Fetishizing femininity has complicated and painful post-Soviet roots.

The beginning of the conquest of Siberia in shown in a 19th-century painting.
The beginning of the conquest of Siberia in shown in a 19th-century painting.

It’s High Time to Decolonize Western Russia Studies

Why has it taken a war of conquest for experts to recognize Russia’s nature as a vast imperial enterprise?

The Emirati and Qatari energy ministers attend a meeting.
The Emirati and Qatari energy ministers attend a meeting.

Persian Gulf States May Be the Best Mediators for Peace in Ukraine

The Gulf Cooperation Council has maintained links to both Russia and the West.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a working session in Mariinsky Palace, in Kyiv, on June 16, 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a working session in Mariinsky Palace, in Kyiv, on June 16, 2022.

The Top 5 Lessons From Year One of Ukraine’s War

Europe’s brutal conflict has been a harsh but instructive teacher.

The logo of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
The logo of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

Austria’s About to Give Russia a Soapbox at the OSCE

Vienna will allow sanctioned Russian parliamentarians to attend the next big security meeting on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

A close-up photo of Netanyahu and Putin standing face to face and smiling at each other.
A close-up photo of Netanyahu and Putin standing face to face and smiling at each other.

The Deeper Reason Netanyahu Won’t Arm Ukraine Against Russia

Jerusalem’s ties to Moscow are partly about security. They’re also about illiberalism.

Putin mural in Serbia
Putin mural in Serbia

Russia’s Failed War Has Created an Opening in the Balkans

The West should remind Serbia not to hitch its wagon to a diminished Russia.

Polish soldiers hold a NATO flag during a family photo after a training demonstration with the NATO multinational battle group eFP at the Orzysz training ground in Orzysz, Poland.
Polish soldiers hold a NATO flag during a family photo after a training demonstration with the NATO multinational battle group eFP at the Orzysz training ground in Orzysz, Poland.

Eastern Europe Wants NATO to Beef Up Defense Spending

Poland and Estonia are planning to push the alliance to raise its defense spending benchmark this year to at least 2.5 percent of GDP.

A view of the Kerch Bridge, which links Crimea to Russia, taken near the city of Kerch on Oct. 12, 2022.
A view of the Kerch Bridge, which links Crimea to Russia, taken near the city of Kerch on Oct. 12, 2022.

Why Crimea Is Not a Bridge Too Far

Withholding support for Ukraine in reclaiming the territory risks undermining gains made thus far.

U.S. Army M1 Abrams tanks pictured at Mockava railway station in Lithuania.
U.S. Army M1 Abrams tanks pictured at Mockava railway station in Lithuania.

The M1 Abrams Is the Right Tank for the Job in Ukraine

Sending American tanks now helps guarantee a safer world tomorrow.

French President Emmanuel Macron is interviewed by French television host Caroline Roux in Paris on Oct. 12, 2022.
French President Emmanuel Macron is interviewed by French television host Caroline Roux in Paris on Oct. 12, 2022.

Europe Needs a Strategy for Russia After Putin

Competing ideas about the end state of the war are striving for dominance.

Vladimir Putin meets with workers at a missile manufacturing plant in St. Petersburg.
Vladimir Putin meets with workers at a missile manufacturing plant in St. Petersburg.

The World Economy No Longer Needs Russia

With alternative sources in place, Putin’s attempt at blackmailing Europe on energy has failed.

Two Leopard 2 main battle tanks participate in NATO military exercises.
Two Leopard 2 main battle tanks participate in NATO military exercises.

Tanks, but No Tanks

The United Kingdom and Eastern Europe are pushing for the United States and Germany to seriously arm Ukraine—and quickly.

A sign at the entrance to Kherson, Ukraine, reads: "Do you know about a collaborator or traitor? Inform us."
A sign at the entrance to Kherson, Ukraine, reads: "Do you know about a collaborator or traitor? Inform us."

Russia’s Fifth Column in Ukraine Is Alive and Well

A year after the invasion, Ukraine is riddled with Russian collaborators and sympathizers.

A view of the super-yacht 'Phi' which remains impounded by the U.K.'s National Crime Agency because of sanctions against Putin associates on March 30, 2022, in London, England.
A view of the super-yacht 'Phi' which remains impounded by the U.K.'s National Crime Agency because of sanctions against Putin associates on March 30, 2022, in London, England.

Freeze—Don’t Seize—Russian Assets

Permanently confiscating Russian assets is tempting—but expropriating them without evidence of a crime would endanger Western companies.

Two GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs sit in the munitions storage area at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Nov. 27, 2020.
Two GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs sit in the munitions storage area at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Nov. 27, 2020.

Pentagon Balks at Sending Ukraine Long-Range Bombs

It’s not fear of escalation. It’s fear of being too late.

Two men in military outfits stand side by side. One holds a laser pointer.
Two men in military outfits stand side by side. One holds a laser pointer.
Sudanese citizens hold banners and flags as they walk to the Presidential Palace on the 4th anniversary of the Sudanese Revolution in Khartoum, Sudan on Dec. 19, 2022.
Sudanese citizens hold banners and flags as they walk to the Presidential Palace on the 4th anniversary of the Sudanese Revolution in Khartoum, Sudan on Dec. 19, 2022.

Ukraine Shows What Unity on Human Rights Can Achieve

Governments must not limit their moral outrage to situations that serve their short-term interests.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan leaves after a closed hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan leaves after a closed hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Moscow on the Moment He Realized Russia Would Launch a Full-Scale Invasion

John Sullivan on the road to war, diplomatic tensions with Moscow, and volunteering to scrub the embassy toilets.

An unexploded tail section of a cluster bomb is seen in Ukraine.
An unexploded tail section of a cluster bomb is seen in Ukraine.

Turkey Is Sending Cold War-Era Cluster Bombs to Ukraine

The artillery-fired cluster munitions could be lethal to Russian troops—and Ukrainian civilians.

An illustration showing a torn Russian flag and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
An illustration showing a torn Russian flag and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It’s High Time to Prepare for Russia’s Collapse

Not planning for the possibility of disintegration betrays a dangerous lack of imagination.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi hold a meeting.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi hold a meeting.

Iran and Russia Are Closer Than Ever Before

They’ve found common ground on the battlefield in Ukraine, but not everyone in Tehran is happy about it.

A Panzerhaubitze 2000 tank howitzer fires during a mission in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
A Panzerhaubitze 2000 tank howitzer fires during a mission in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
Pedestrians stand next to a New Year's decoration stylized as the "Kremlin Star," bearing a letter "Z," a tactical insignia of Russian troops in Ukraine, in Moscow.
Pedestrians stand next to a New Year's decoration stylized as the "Kremlin Star," bearing a letter "Z," a tactical insignia of Russian troops in Ukraine, in Moscow.

Russia Is Afraid of Western Psychic Attacks

Pseudoscience and mysticism are common among the Moscow elite.

Ukrainian soldiers ride a tank in an undisclosed location in eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian soldiers ride a tank in an undisclosed location in eastern Ukraine.

Peace May Be a Long Way Off in Ukraine in 2023

Both sides believe they can win on the battlefield.

Ukrainian soldiers load a truck with a U.S.-made FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile on its delivery.
Ukrainian soldiers load a truck with a U.S.-made FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile on its delivery.

The Arsenal of Democracy Is Back in Business

Proposed U.S. arms sales to NATO almost doubled this past year as Russia’s aggression spooked the continent.

People holding candles form a large, glowing peace sign at night in a grand plaza.
People holding candles form a large, glowing peace sign at night in a grand plaza.

Will 2023 Be More Peaceful Than 2022?

This year saw Russia invade Ukraine, China’s Xi Jinping secure a third term, and Iranians take to the streets. What will 2023 look like?

Yevgeny Prigozhin attends a meeting with foreign investors in Russia.
Yevgeny Prigozhin attends a meeting with foreign investors in Russia.

Putin’s Pit Bull Is Making a Power Play

As hard-liners shuffle for power amid a failing war, Russia’s military could turn even more aggressive.

A member of the Ukrainian State Border Guard stands watch at the border crossing between Ukraine and Belarus on February 13, 2022 in Vilcha, Ukraine.
A member of the Ukrainian State Border Guard stands watch at the border crossing between Ukraine and Belarus on February 13, 2022 in Vilcha, Ukraine.

Belarus Is Inching Toward Invading Ukraine

Signs are growing that an invasion from the north could be imminent.

Russian President Vladimir Putin flies on a helicopter to visit a military outpost in Nalchik, Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin flies on a helicopter to visit a military outpost in Nalchik, Russia.

Whatever Happened to Russia’s Vaunted Cyberoffensive?

The war in Ukraine is more about artillery shells than cyberexploits—for now.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen holds a press conference about Russia sanctions at EU headquarters in Brussels on Sept. 28.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen holds a press conference about Russia sanctions at EU headquarters in Brussels on Sept. 28.

Why the Oil Price Cap Won’t Hurt Putin

The West wants to have its Russian oil price cake and eat it too.

Yale University historian Timothy Snyder speaks at an event in Warsaw, Poland on May 10, 2019.
Yale University historian Timothy Snyder speaks at an event in Warsaw, Poland on May 10, 2019.

The Trouble With Russian Blacklisting

Moscow’s ban on Western academics and researchers makes the world a more dangerous place.

The Russian Foreign Ministry building
The Russian Foreign Ministry building

The Russian Army Is Preparing for a Fresh Attack

Many of the problems from the initial draft have been solved.

Joe Biden meets Cherelle Griner about the release of Brittney Griner in the Oval Office of the White House on Dec. 8, 2022 in Washington.
Joe Biden meets Cherelle Griner about the release of Brittney Griner in the Oval Office of the White House on Dec. 8, 2022 in Washington.

Biden’s Hostage Diplomacy Was a Historic Mistake

The United States has broken with a long-standing precedent that was established for very good reasons.

Russia's United Nations ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, attends a U.N. Security Council meeting where the United Kingdom officially announces the latest findings behind the poisoning of Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in March in New York City.
Russia's United Nations ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, attends a U.N. Security Council meeting where the United Kingdom officially announces the latest findings behind the poisoning of Russian ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in March in New York City.

Congress Wants to Boot Russia From U.N. Security Council

The Biden administration is also interested in watering down Russia’s influence at the United Nations.

Russian opposition figure Ilya Yashin, charged with "discrediting" the Russian army fighting in Ukraine, flashes a victory sign inside a defendant's box at the Meshansky district court in Moscow on Dec. 9.
Russian opposition figure Ilya Yashin, charged with "discrediting" the Russian army fighting in Ukraine, flashes a victory sign inside a defendant's box at the Meshansky district court in Moscow on Dec. 9.

A Russian Dissident Is Sentenced in Moscow

Ilya Yashin’s is the most significant political trial in Russia since Alexey Navalny’s imprisonment in 2021.

A multiple rocket launcher fires at Russian positions in Donetsk.
A multiple rocket launcher fires at Russian positions in Donetsk.

U.S. Plans for a Hypothetical War Limit Aid to a Real One

“We’re measuring against a reality that no longer exists,” one congressional aide said.

U.S. President George H. W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev shake hands after holding a press conference in Moscow on July 31, 1991.
U.S. President George H. W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev shake hands after holding a press conference in Moscow on July 31, 1991.

Don’t Be Afraid of a Russian Collapse

Why is the West so hesitant about a clear Ukrainian victory?

The Central Intelligence Agency headquarters are pictured in Langley, Virginia, on July 8, 2022.
The Central Intelligence Agency headquarters are pictured in Langley, Virginia, on July 8, 2022.

U.S. Rivals Are Facing Unrest. Is It Due to Luck or Skill?

Mass protests create a favorable environment for intelligence agencies—but the CIA should tread carefully in China, Iran, and Russia.

Julia Myron walks her 2-month-old daughter with a friend in Irpin.
Julia Myron walks her 2-month-old daughter with a friend in Irpin.

Ukraine Braces for a Brutal Winter Under Russian Bombs

Those who return home find shattered houses, no heat, and the worst yet to come.

An Israeli flag is seen placed on Mount Bental in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on May 10, 2018.
An Israeli flag is seen placed on Mount Bental in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on May 10, 2018.

Biden Can’t Denounce Russia’s Annexations and Ignore Israel’s

From the Baltic Republics to Crimea, Washington has opposed forcible annexation—and the Golan Heights should be no exception.

A billboard promoting military service is seen in Russia.
A billboard promoting military service is seen in Russia.

It’s No Crime to Be a Russian Soldier in Ukraine

Moscow’s war is unjust, but there’s no moral obligation for soldiers to refuse to fight.

A Ukrainian tank rolls along a road near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region.
A Ukrainian tank rolls along a road near Bakhmut in the Donetsk region.

‘General Frost’ Will Be Fighting for Both Sides This Time

Winter may slow down Ukraine’s advances, but Kyiv is better prepared than Russia’s ragtag forces.

A pedestrian walks past a vandalized mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Belgrade on June 2.
A pedestrian walks past a vandalized mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Belgrade on June 2.

Sanctions on Russia Are Working. Here’s Why.

The Kremlin’s ability to wage war is already constrained, but the worst is yet to come.

A member of Ukraine’s 59th Motorized Brigade walks through the devastation in Posad-Pokrovske in Kherson Oblast.
A member of Ukraine’s 59th Motorized Brigade walks through the devastation in Posad-Pokrovske in Kherson Oblast.

The Ukrainian Village That Sacrificed Itself for Kherson

One small town in Ukraine held off a Russian attack and helped liberate a key regional capital.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a press conference at the NATO summit in Madrid.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a press conference at the NATO summit in Madrid.

Turkey Is NATO’s Pivot Point Over Ukraine

Erdogan is trying to strike a balance of being pro-Ukraine but not anti-Russia.

Activists hold placards and flags as they gather in Lafayette Square to protest Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Washington on Feb. 24, 2022.
Activists hold placards and flags as they gather in Lafayette Square to protest Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Washington on Feb. 24, 2022.

The Perpetually Irrational Ukraine Debate

The war continues to be discussed in ways that are self-serving—and self-defeating.

Volunteers work without electricity in Dnipro.
Volunteers work without electricity in Dnipro.

Ukraine Battles On in the Dark

Russia’s terror campaign against Ukraine’s power plants is cutting off the lights—and energizing resistance.

A protester holds a placard with the words “Russians are against Putin and the war.”
A protester holds a placard with the words “Russians are against Putin and the war.”

Russian Exiles Struggle to Form a United Opposition to Putin

Historically, Russian emigrants have been reluctant to form exile communities and have tried to assimilate.

Vladimir Putin is seen on a screen set at Red Square as he addresses a rally and a concert marking the annexation of four regions of Ukraine Russian troops occupy - Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, in central Moscow on September 30, 2022.
Vladimir Putin is seen on a screen set at Red Square as he addresses a rally and a concert marking the annexation of four regions of Ukraine Russian troops occupy - Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, in central Moscow on September 30, 2022.

It’s Time to Debunk Putin’s Existential Fallacy

One key to securing peace in Ukraine will be exposing the faulty argument for the war’s necessity.

Military cadets take part in celebrations marking the Day of Missile Forces and Artillery.
Military cadets take part in celebrations marking the Day of Missile Forces and Artillery.

Russia Is Running Low on Ammo

The United States is wondering if Russia has enough artillery to keep up its war in Ukraine.

Ukrainians use their mobile phones near a Starlink satellite-based broadband station.
Ukrainians use their mobile phones near a Starlink satellite-based broadband station.

Why Ukraine Is Stuck With Elon (for Now)

His Starlink satellite internet service has largely kept Ukraine online—but highlights the risks of overreliance on the private sector in wartime.

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a commission on military-technical cooperation with foreign states in 2017.
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a commission on military-technical cooperation with foreign states in 2017.

What’s the Harm in Talking to Russia? A Lot, Actually.

Diplomacy is neither intrinsically moral nor always strategically wise.

A man with a Ukrainian flag stands on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington.
A man with a Ukrainian flag stands on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington.

Congress to Ukraine: We’ve Still Got Your Back

Lawmakers flock to security conference to allay doubts over long-term Ukraine commitment.

Natalia Pevnevy celebrates atop her car in Liberty Square following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksky's surprise visit in Kherson, Ukraine.
Natalia Pevnevy celebrates atop her car in Liberty Square following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksky's surprise visit in Kherson, Ukraine.

Ukrainians Are Holding Strong as Some in West Falter

Ukrainian identity has been fundamentally changed by invasion.

Anti-Russia and pro Ukraine banners hang on the fence in front of the Russian Federation embassy in Tallinn, Estonia.
Anti-Russia and pro Ukraine banners hang on the fence in front of the Russian Federation embassy in Tallinn, Estonia.

Estonia’s Former Spy Chief: Too Soon to Count Russia Out

Mikk Marran talks about Moscow’s intelligence failures, cyberwar, and whether Western resolve will last the winter.

Young boys dress up as Ukrainian soldiers and police officers.
Young boys dress up as Ukrainian soldiers and police officers.

Kherson Is Liberated but Not Yet Freed

Although Ukraine has reclaimed the one provincial capital taken by Russia, there’s still a long road to recovery.

Russian President Vladimir Putin applauds as he hosts Russia's medal-winning athletes of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games and members of the country's Paralympic team at the Kremlin in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin applauds as he hosts Russia's medal-winning athletes of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games and members of the country's Paralympic team at the Kremlin in Moscow.

All the Kremlin’s Trolls

How Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put Moscow’s worldwide influence operations to the test.

A stuffed toy sits in the remains of a playground in the heavily damaged Saltivka suburb of Kharkiv, Ukraine.
A stuffed toy sits in the remains of a playground in the heavily damaged Saltivka suburb of Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Ukrainians Returning to Liberated Towns Find Utter Destruction

For many coming home to Ukraine’s east, their prewar lives are a distant dream.

A Ukrainian soldier fires at Russian positions.
A Ukrainian soldier fires at Russian positions.

Ukraine’s Appetite for Weapons Is Straining Western Stockpiles

“I think everyone now is sufficiently worried,” a NATO official said.

An unexploded missile and a man running away from another Russian missile explosion
An unexploded missile and a man running away from another Russian missile explosion

NATO Chief Says Ukraine Air Defense Likely Cause of Poland Explosion

Russia still to blame for incident after bombarding Ukraine with missiles, Stoltenberg says.

A man carries his son on his shoulders as they walk past graffiti on a wall depicting a Ukrainian serviceman making a shot with a U.S.-made Javelin portable anti-tank missile system.
A man carries his son on his shoulders as they walk past graffiti on a wall depicting a Ukrainian serviceman making a shot with a U.S.-made Javelin portable anti-tank missile system.

Zelensky’s Travel Ban on Ukrainian Men Could Damage War Morale

New survey data shows a majority of Ukrainians do not support the travel ban in its current form.

People take shelter in Vokzalna metro station in Kyiv, Ukraine.
People take shelter in Vokzalna metro station in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Kyiv’s Metro Is a Symbol of the City’s Resilience

Soviet authorities built the transit system to withstand a potential NATO attack. Now, stations are shielding Ukrainians from Russian missiles.

Pedestrians cross a street during a power cut in downtown Kyiv amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Pedestrians cross a street during a power cut in downtown Kyiv amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian artillery unit members get prepared to fire toward Kherson amid Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian artillery unit members get prepared to fire toward Kherson amid Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine Pushes Russia Out of Kherson, the Biggest Liberation Yet

Ukraine is continuing its offensive—even in subzero temperatures.

A staff member of a shop in Moscow watches a broadcast of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s speech on Oct. 25, 2006.
A staff member of a shop in Moscow watches a broadcast of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s speech on Oct. 25, 2006.

Welcome to the New Age of Nukes

Russia’s posturing may encourage a dangerous wave of nuclear diplomacy.

A destroyed tank near the recently recaptured Ukrainian village of Yampil, eastern Ukraine.
A destroyed tank near the recently recaptured Ukrainian village of Yampil, eastern Ukraine.

Dual-Use Goods Are Fueling Russia’s War on Ukraine

Russia’s advanced military systems are dependent on components from the West.

U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger speaks to constituents outside of an early-voting location in Woodbridge, Virginia.
U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger speaks to constituents outside of an early-voting location in Woodbridge, Virginia.

How Ukraine Figures in Last-Minute Midterm Pitches

Ahead of tomorrow’s polls, foreign policy looms large in a Virginia district seen as a bellwether for national trends.

A person in Taipei, Taiwan, holds a sign protesting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
A person in Taipei, Taiwan, holds a sign protesting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
A Norwegian Home Guard soldier stands guard, assisting the police with increased security at the Karsto gas processing plant.
A Norwegian Home Guard soldier stands guard, assisting the police with increased security at the Karsto gas processing plant.

Europe’s Seabed Is Its Soft Underbelly

Explosions along the Nord Stream pipelines have exposed the vulnerability of energy and communications networks in the continent’s northern seas.

Police detain protesters in Moscow.
Police detain protesters in Moscow.

Why Isn’t Russia a Democracy?

The country wasn’t preordained to despotism or a clash with the West.

A digital composite images shows troops landing at Anzac Cove in Turkey during the Gallipoli campaign in World War I.
A digital composite images shows troops landing at Anzac Cove in Turkey during the Gallipoli campaign in World War I.

Ukraine’s War Is Like World War I, Not World War II

The West is using the wrong analogy for Russia’s invasion—and worsening the outcome.

Ukrainian soldiers check their weapons at a position on the front line in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region on Oct. 24, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Ukrainian soldiers check their weapons at a position on the front line in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region on Oct. 24, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine Says It Needs More Guns, Shells, and Firepower

“We are requesting new rounds all the time that have longer range and more explosiveness,” said one Ukrainian military official.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attend the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires on Nov. 30, 2018.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attend the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires on Nov. 30, 2018.

The U.S. Needs a New Strategy to Stop Saudi and Iranian Support for Russia

Riyadh and Tehran are rivals on almost everything, but they are both supporting Russia’s war effort to give Washington a black eye.

Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping during a military parade on May 9, 2015 in Moscow.
Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping during a military parade on May 9, 2015 in Moscow.

Russia’s Ukraine Disaster Exposes China’s Military Weakness

Beijing knows its own military has much in common with Moscow's ineffective force.

Books are seen among the debris in Borodyanka, Ukraine.
Books are seen among the debris in Borodyanka, Ukraine.

The Defiance of Celebrating Literature in the Midst of War

How this year’s Lviv BookForum in Ukraine became an act of solidarity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin flies on a helicopter.
Russian President Vladimir Putin flies on a helicopter.

Russia Wages Winter Information War Against the West

The Kremlin is headhunting useful idiots to undermine European unity before Kyiv can prevail.

Students at a Brooklyn, New York, school take part in a duck and cover drill in preparation for a nuclear attack in 1962.
Students at a Brooklyn, New York, school take part in a duck and cover drill in preparation for a nuclear attack in 1962.

The Dangers of ‘Catastrophic Consequences’

Sixty years after the Cuban missile crisis, Biden is re-creating nuclear deterrence on the fly.

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech at the Kremlin in Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech at the Kremlin in Moscow

Why Putin’s Nuclear Gambit Is a Huge Mistake

The only thing more terrifying than Russian nuclear use is letting fear drive Western strategy.

Police officers detain a woman during a protest against military mobilization in Moscow on Sept. 21.
Police officers detain a woman during a protest against military mobilization in Moscow on Sept. 21.

As War Hits the Homefront, Russia’s Defeat Inches Closer

Battlefield losses, military corruption, and a disastrous mobilization drive have broken the social contract.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Why the World Should Be Worried About Chechnya

The tiny territory and its bellicose leader reveal the fragility of Russia’s multiethnic federation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses a rally in central Moscow on Sept. 30.
Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses a rally in central Moscow on Sept. 30.

Can Putin’s Center Hold?

The elites used to need the Russian president. Now he needs them.

People stand in front of an Ukrainian national flag fluttering as dark smoke and flames rise from a fire following an air strike in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, on March 26, 2022.
People stand in front of an Ukrainian national flag fluttering as dark smoke and flames rise from a fire following an air strike in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, on March 26, 2022.

Ukraine Is the World’s Foreign-Policy Rorschach Test

There are two basic ways to think about the war—and the world.

Firefighters conduct work on a building destroyed by Russian attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Firefighters conduct work on a building destroyed by Russian attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Why Putin Is Escalating Aerial Bombings in Ukraine

Former CIA analyst Andrea Kendall-Taylor on the hard-liners who have increasing sway over Moscow’s choices.

The UN logo is shown with the word "Disarmament" on the wall behind it.
The UN logo is shown with the word "Disarmament" on the wall behind it.

Why the War in Ukraine Won’t Spark a Nuclear Proliferation Cascade

Arguments to the contrary overlook the complexity of nuclear decision-making.

A storm cloud hangs over the U.S. Capitol.
A storm cloud hangs over the U.S. Capitol.

Kyiv Is Hoping the Republican Party’s Better Angels Prevail in the U.S. Midterms

A small but vocal minority of pro-Trump Republicans are openly questioning U.S. support for Ukraine.

A billboard promoting army service is seen in Russia.
A billboard promoting army service is seen in Russia.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi meets with the president of the Armenian parliament, Alen Simonyan, at the National Assembly in Yerevan, Armenia, on Sept. 18.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi meets with the president of the Armenian parliament, Alen Simonyan, at the National Assembly in Yerevan, Armenia, on Sept. 18.

The Thaw on Russia’s Periphery Has Already Started

All around a war-weakened Russia, there is a giant geopolitical sucking sound.

A general view shows a United Nations Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York on September 30, 2022.
A general view shows a United Nations Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York on September 30, 2022.
A woman wearing a face mask with the logo of Russia's rights group Memorial is seen outside the Moscow City Court on Nov. 23, 2021.
A woman wearing a face mask with the logo of Russia's rights group Memorial is seen outside the Moscow City Court on Nov. 23, 2021.

Ukraine Deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. Russia Needs It.

A Russian human rights group’s award is a down payment on a potentially hopeful future.

A Ukrainian flag flies amid black smoke in an otherwise bright blue sky above buildings in Lviv.
A Ukrainian flag flies amid black smoke in an otherwise bright blue sky above buildings in Lviv.

Biden’s Soft Underbelly on Ukraine

The Biden administration’s fear of provoking Putin and risking World War III has become an excuse to do less for Ukraine.

A photo dated September 1945 of the remains of the Prefectural Industry Promotion Building after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
A photo dated September 1945 of the remains of the Prefectural Industry Promotion Building after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

To Avert Armageddon, Push for a Cease-Fire in Ukraine

For Kyiv and its allies, negotiating an imperfect peace is preferable to risking a catastrophic nuclear confrontation.

A local resident sits outside a building destroyed by Russian, Iranian-made, drones after an airstrike on Bila Tserkva, southwest of Kyiv, on October 5, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
A local resident sits outside a building destroyed by Russian, Iranian-made, drones after an airstrike on Bila Tserkva, southwest of Kyiv, on October 5, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

‘All It Takes is One’: Iran Gives Russia Help From the Air

Russia’s new Iranian-made drones put Ukraine “a bit more on the defensive,” one expert said.

A military aide carries the "nuclear football," which contains launch codes for nuclear weapons, while walking to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House Oct. 3.
A military aide carries the "nuclear football," which contains launch codes for nuclear weapons, while walking to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House Oct. 3.

Why NATO Needs to Plan for Nuclear War

As the alliance meets this week, leaders must discuss how they will react if Russia uses weapons of mass destruction.

The Royal Norwegian Navy is aboard a ship in the Baltic Sea.
The Royal Norwegian Navy is aboard a ship in the Baltic Sea.

NATO Doubles Naval Presence in Baltic, North Seas After Pipeline Sabotage

Russia’s suspected sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines has brought a flood of Western naval assets into the region.

A Ukrainian soldier looks out from a self-propelled howitzer.
A Ukrainian soldier looks out from a self-propelled howitzer.

Ukraine Changes Weapons Wish List After Kyiv Terrorism Attacks

Send more air defenses, Ukrainian officials implored, and send them now.

A fighter in a territorial defense unit, supporting the regular Ukrainian army, holds a Kalashnikov rifle decorated with a Ukrainian flag ribbon during a combat training exercise near Bucha, Ukraine, on June 17.
A fighter in a territorial defense unit, supporting the regular Ukrainian army, holds a Kalashnikov rifle decorated with a Ukrainian flag ribbon during a combat training exercise near Bucha, Ukraine, on June 17.

Ukraine Wants to Be NATO’s Friend—With Benefits

Spearheaded by a former NATO chief, the Kyiv Security Compact would put Western security guarantees in writing—but it might be too much for Washington to stomach.

A man takes away a rainbow flag in Moscow.
A man takes away a rainbow flag in Moscow.

LGBTQ Russians Were Putin’s First Target in His War on the West

In Russian President Vladimir Putin’s mind, the war in Ukraine and his decadelong assault on LGBTQ rights are two sides of the same coin.

Dodik and Putin smile and shake hands.
Dodik and Putin smile and shake hands.

Putin’s Most Loyal Balkan Client

Hard-line Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik has given the Russian president a firm foothold in the Balkans.

U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo is seen in Brussels on March 29.
U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo is seen in Brussels on March 29.

How the White House Plans to Hurt Putin

U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo on the preparations that go into sanctioning Russia.

Putin's face is shown on a large video screen in front of a crowd waving Russian flags.
Putin's face is shown on a large video screen in front of a crowd waving Russian flags.

Why Putin’s Denunciations of Western Imperialism Ring Hollow

Russia is among the world’s most ambitious imperial nations.

A man walks in front of signage at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano, Switzerland, on July 3.
A man walks in front of signage at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano, Switzerland, on July 3.

The Battle to Save Ukraine’s Economy From the War

A top European bank chief weighs in on how to bankroll Ukraine for the war, and reconstruction, ahead.

Police officers detain a person in Moscow on September 21, 2022, following calls to protest against partial mobilization announced by President Vladimir Putin.
Police officers detain a person in Moscow on September 21, 2022, following calls to protest against partial mobilization announced by President Vladimir Putin.

Putin’s Mobilization Mess Was Years in the Making

Russia can’t recruit, train, equip, or supply new troops. So what’s the plan?

Russian service members are seen in Kherson.
Russian service members are seen in Kherson.
Reservists drafted during Russia's partial mobilization attend a departure ceremony in Sevastopol, Crimea, on Sept. 27.
Reservists drafted during Russia's partial mobilization attend a departure ceremony in Sevastopol, Crimea, on Sept. 27.

Mobilization Can’t Save Russia’s War

Russian troops are being trained to be cannon fodder.

Russians arrive at the Syrym border crossing in Kazakhstan on Sept. 27.
Russians arrive at the Syrym border crossing in Kazakhstan on Sept. 27.

Central Asia Faces a Russian Migrant Crisis

As men flee Putin’s draft, Russia’s neighbors struggle to cope.

Businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin shows then-Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin his school lunch factory.
Businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin shows then-Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin his school lunch factory.

‘Putin’s Chef’ Steps Out of the Shadows

Yevgeny Prigozhin wants to ride the Wagner Group to greater glory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin looks out the window at the Black Sea resort of Anapa, Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin looks out the window at the Black Sea resort of Anapa, Russia.

Putin’s World Is Now Smaller Than Ever

The moral and strategic disaster of the Russian leader’s war in Ukraine has ended his imperial dreams.

A Taiwanese frigate launches a U.S.-made Standard missile.
A Taiwanese frigate launches a U.S.-made Standard missile.

The Russian Warship and the South China Sea

What lessons does the sinking of the Moskva have for Taiwan?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky talks during a press conference with NATO’s secretary-general.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky talks during a press conference with NATO’s secretary-general.

After Putin’s Land Grab, Zelensky Wants to Fast-Track NATO Membership

Ukraine likely won’t join NATO anytime soon, but it’s a big symbolic move in a war that’s increasingly going against the Kremlin.

The city of Mariupol, Ukraine
The city of Mariupol, Ukraine
A man carries his son as they walk past a graffiti on a wall depicting a Ukrainian soldier firing a U.S.-made Javelin portable anti-tank missile system, in Kyiv, on July 29.
A man carries his son as they walk past a graffiti on a wall depicting a Ukrainian soldier firing a U.S.-made Javelin portable anti-tank missile system, in Kyiv, on July 29.

In Washington, Everyone Wins if Ukraine Wins

How backing Kyiv can bridge the partisan divide and make U.S. foreign policy great again.

A worker removes McDonald's logotype from a restaurant in Moscow on June 17.
A worker removes McDonald's logotype from a restaurant in Moscow on June 17.

Russia’s Clueless New Oligarchs

A new generation of business owners with no experience are snapping up Western companies’ assets at fire-sale prices.

Russian and Belarusian troops take part in joint military exercises.
Russian and Belarusian troops take part in joint military exercises.

Russia’s Stripped Its Western Borders to Feed the Fight in Ukraine

But Finland and the Baltic states are still leery of Moscow’s long-term designs.

Tanks in the German armed forces participate in military exercises near Bergen, Germany, on Oct. 14, 2016.
Tanks in the German armed forces participate in military exercises near Bergen, Germany, on Oct. 14, 2016.

Baltic States Wanted German Tanks in Ukraine Yesterday

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised a new foreign policy. Critics say he has yet to deliver.

U.S. President Joe Biden listens to remarks in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington on May 19.
U.S. President Joe Biden listens to remarks in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington on May 19.

Russia’s Defeat Would Be America’s Problem

Victory in Ukraine could easily mean hubris in Washington.

Peace activists wearing masks of Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and U.S. President Joe Biden pose with mock nuclear missiles in front of the U.S. Embassy in Berlin on Jan. 29, 2021.
Peace activists wearing masks of Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and U.S. President Joe Biden pose with mock nuclear missiles in front of the U.S. Embassy in Berlin on Jan. 29, 2021.

The Crazy Logic of Brinksmanship Is Back

The West can only counter Putin’s nuclear threats with ruinous threats of its own.

People gather in front of a shuttered post office in Ukraine.
People gather in front of a shuttered post office in Ukraine.

Postal Workers Are Keeping Ukraine’s Front-Line Villages Alive

Deliveries of packages and pension payments have helped uphold a fragile sense of normalcy for civilians under fire.

A Ukrainian soldier walks by a burnt vehicle.
A Ukrainian soldier walks by a burnt vehicle.

Diplomacy Is Still (Just About) Possible in Ukraine

The Black Sea agreement offers a model for off-ramps to escalation.

Russian servicemen gather at Red Square in Moscow.
Russian servicemen gather at Red Square in Moscow.

Russia Is Sending Its Ethnic Minorities to the Meat Grinder

Chaotic mobilization sparks renewed fears that the pain will not be shared evenly across Russia.

Soldiers take part in a military exercise at the Adazi military base, north east of Riga, Latvia, on March 8, 2022.
Soldiers take part in a military exercise at the Adazi military base, north east of Riga, Latvia, on March 8, 2022.

The Baltics Hunker Down for the Long Game Against Russia

The Kremlin is down but not out in Ukraine, and the Baltic states want to make sure they’re not next.

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the Kremlin in Moscow on Dec. 27, 2018.
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the Kremlin in Moscow on Dec. 27, 2018.

Russia Can’t Protect Its Allies Anymore

Moscow is overstretched in Ukraine—and Armenia is suffering the consequences.

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on economic issues in Moscow on Feb. 17, 2022.
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on economic issues in Moscow on Feb. 17, 2022.

Putin Doubles Down on a Bad Hand With Mobilization

The war in Ukraine is going so bad, he’s willing to risk domestic unrest.

A closeup of Russian President Vladimir Putin
A closeup of Russian President Vladimir Putin

What Russia’s Elites Think of Putin Now

The president successfully preserved the status quo for two decades. Suddenly, he’s turned into a destroyer.

Old tanks and armored personnel carriers are parked at an armor repair plant in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, on Sept. 23, 2014.
Old tanks and armored personnel carriers are parked at an armor repair plant in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, on Sept. 23, 2014.

‘We’re Working 24/7’: Ukraine Keeps Its War Machine Humming

Russian strikes have taken a toll on Ukraine’s defense industry, but offshoring and the cottage industry are keeping the shells coming.

Members of the Ukrainian State Emergency Service rest.
Members of the Ukrainian State Emergency Service rest.

Forest of the Dead

Another mass grave in Ukraine reveals the horrors of Russia’s occupation.

The Battle of Saratoga, a painting by John Trumbull
The Battle of Saratoga, a painting by John Trumbull

Ukraine’s 1777 Moment

Victory in Kharkiv may be as significant for Ukraine’s independence as the Battle of Saratoga was for America’s.

Leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states pose for a family photo during a summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Sept. 16.
Leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states pose for a family photo during a summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Sept. 16.

Kazakhstan Is Breaking Out of Russia’s Grip

The Ukraine war has given Astana a unique chance to frustrate Moscow.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg

NATO’s Stoltenberg: Ukraine’s Gains Are ‘Extremely Encouraging’

The trans-Atlantic alliance chief discusses Russia’s war in Ukraine and competing with China.

An archery target featuring the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin
An archery target featuring the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin

Ukraine Put Putin in the Corner. Here’s What May Happen Next.

Mobilization could be in the cards, escalation is in the air, and Russian nationalists are braying for blood.

A boy walks past destroyed buildings in Ukraine
A boy walks past destroyed buildings in Ukraine

Russia Is Seeding Ukraine’s Soil With Land Mines

Removing mines will be a long and costly operation.

Russian tourists have their passports checked on July 28 at the Nuijamaa border crossing in Finland.
Russian tourists have their passports checked on July 28 at the Nuijamaa border crossing in Finland.

Why the EU Should Ban Russian Tourists

A visa ban won’t have the same impact as military aid to Kyiv, but it would send a strong message to ordinary Russians.