Russia’s War in Ukraine
Understanding the conflict one year on.

How Ukraine Learned to Fight
Russia’s full-scale war started a year ago. Ukraine’s military started slashing its Soviet roots long before.

Can Russia Ever Become a ‘Normal’ European Nation?
Ironically, a defeat by Ukraine could trigger Russians to reexamine their national identity.

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.

‘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

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.

Ukraine Needs Long-Range Firepower for Victory
Kyiv’s allies should give it the ability to shift strategic gears.

Ukraine’s Makeshift Army Is Getting More Misfit Toys
Western tanks pack a punch. They also bring a long tail.

Meet the Belarusian Regiment Fighting for Ukraine
Someday, soldiers hope to return home and topple Lukashenko.
Wartime Diplomacy

How Ukraine Has Changed Russian Diplomacy
Moscow is shunning legacy platforms for dialogue—and creating its own.

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?

Talking With Russia Is Tempting—and Wrong
Why it’s still too soon for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

There’s No Peace in Ukraine Without Russian Retreat
Calls for diplomacy are misplaced and naive.
Regional Dynamics

Tooze on the ‘Dramatic Reconceptualization’ of Europe
How the war in Ukraine will remake the continent.

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.

Ukraine and Belarus Are Fighting the Same War
A Russian defeat in Ukraine could send Belarus’s dictator packing.

Why Germany Has Learned the Wrong Lessons From History
On Russia and Ukraine, Germans remain wedded to historical and geopolitical delusions.
latest stories

How to Benchmark Victory in Ukraine
Western vagueness about war aims is creating a risky vacuum for the Kremlin to exploit.

The U.S. Should Get Over Its Short War Obsession
No one wants long, grueling wars—but the consequences of impatience can be worse.

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.

Russia Has the Hydrocarbons, but China Has the Cash
Moscow is stumbling on energy diplomacy even now.

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.

The Nuclear Education of Vladimir Putin
There is evidence the Russian president is not ignorant of the security benefits of arms control.

It’s Easy But Wrong to Be Cynical About Putin’s Indictment
The charges may be an important step in pushing global justice forward.

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.

Even More Than Tanks and Planes, Ukraine Needs IFVs
Front-line officers are desperate for a less glamorous weapon: the infantry fighting vehicle.

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.

Crunch Time Looms for Black Sea Grain Export Deal
Russia wants more concessions to keep allowing vital food exports to leave Ukrainian ports.

Even Recorded Murders Won’t Turn Russia Against the War
A crushed society is incapable of facing the truth.

Seasoned Russia Envoy Joins Biden’s NSC
Nicholas Berliner, a veteran diplomat, has joined the White House to run Russia policy.

Russia’s War Has Unified Europe’s Opposing Sides
The invasion of Ukraine has finally reconciled Europe’s liberals and nationalists.

Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War
Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.

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

Arm Ukraine or Prepare for China? Wrong Question.
No matter the goal, Washington needs to quickly fill gaps in defense production.

Don’t Trust Russia’s Numbers
Moscow has made economic statistics a central part of its information war.

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.

America Is Still Losing the Information War
Washington urgently needs a 21st-century communication strategy.

Staring Down the Black Hole of Russia’s Future
A Ukrainian victory may be the country’s only chance at long-term salvation.

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.

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.

Is the Ukraine War an Anti-Colonial Struggle?
Fellow victims of Russian imperialism are finding solidarity with Kyiv.

China’s Ukraine Peace Plan Is Actually About Taiwan
Beijing’s phony proposal lays bare its conditions for winning an East Asian war.

Iran Doubles Down on Arms for Russia
Despite fresh salvos of Western sanctions, Tehran and Moscow are buddying up on defense ties.

Putin Has Assembled an Axis of Autocrats Against Ukraine
Russia’s war is receiving critical assistance from authoritarian regimes around the world.

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.

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.

Russia’s Theft of Children in Ukraine Is Genocide
Moscow is out to destroy a people.

Putin’s Russian Critics Are Growing Ever Louder
The most pointed criticisms of the war are coming from those charged with fighting it.

War Hasn’t Deterred Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Fighters
Activists argue the struggles for state transparency and national liberation are one and the same.

The Conversation About Ukraine Is Cracking Apart
What government officials are saying in public, and private, is fascinating—and full of contradictions.

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.

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 Surreal Evening at the Russian Embassy
Caviar and vodka on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine.

Putin Needs Repression to Run an Unpopular War
The Russian state is doing more than ever to crush dissent.

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.

Russia Sanctions: 10 Lessons and Questions for What Comes Next
What has the West learned from one year of unprecedented economic sanctions?

Where Is Vlad’s Mind?
Putin’s anti-Western speech elicited eye rolls, even at the Kremlin.

‘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.

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.

Ukraine Is Serious About Taking Back Crimea
A Ukrainian attack on the Russian-occupied peninsula might only be a matter of time.

The Return of the Russia Question
What kind of country do Russians want to live in after the war?

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.

Biden Makes Historic Visit to Wartime Ukraine
Side by side with Zelensky, the U.S. president declares: “We stand here together.”

U.S. Deterrence Failed in Ukraine
Washington’s prewar efforts were weak and inadequate.

Congress Descends on Munich to Support Ukraine
For the GOP, it was all about reassuring Europe.

Putin’s Ukraine War Dominates Talks at Munich Security Conference
But long-range weapons aren’t a cure-all for Ukraine.

A Labour-Led Britain Will Stand With the EU and NATO to Defend Ukraine
In a long struggle against Putin, Britain can’t ignore any ally.

The Drone War in Ukraine Is Cheap, Deadly, and Made in China
Crowdsourced donations are fueling eyes in the sky.

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.

For Europe, Military Conscription Is No Answer to Russia’s War
As large-scale conflict appears possible again, NATO members should focus on reserves.

Russia Has Already Lost in the Long Run
Even if Moscow holds onto territory, the war has wrecked its future.

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

Ukrainian Women’s Looks Are None of Your Business
Fetishizing femininity has complicated and painful post-Soviet roots.

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?

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.

The Top 5 Lessons From Year One of Ukraine’s War
Europe’s brutal conflict has been a harsh but instructive teacher.

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.

The Deeper Reason Netanyahu Won’t Arm Ukraine Against Russia
Jerusalem’s ties to Moscow are partly about security. They’re also about illiberalism.

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.

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.

Why Crimea Is Not a Bridge Too Far
Withholding support for Ukraine in reclaiming the territory risks undermining gains made thus far.

The M1 Abrams Is the Right Tank for the Job in Ukraine
Sending American tanks now helps guarantee a safer world tomorrow.

Europe Needs a Strategy for Russia After Putin
Competing ideas about the end state of the war are striving for dominance.

The World Economy No Longer Needs Russia
With alternative sources in place, Putin’s attempt at blackmailing Europe on energy has failed.

Tanks, but No Tanks
The United Kingdom and Eastern Europe are pushing for the United States and Germany to seriously arm Ukraine—and quickly.

Russia’s Fifth Column in Ukraine Is Alive and Well
A year after the invasion, Ukraine is riddled with Russian collaborators and sympathizers.

Freeze—Don’t Seize—Russian Assets
Permanently confiscating Russian assets is tempting—but expropriating them without evidence of a crime would endanger Western companies.

Pentagon Balks at Sending Ukraine Long-Range Bombs
It’s not fear of escalation. It’s fear of being too late.

Russia Replaces Its Ukraine War Chief—Again
Experts are asking: Why now?

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 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.

Turkey Is Sending Cold War-Era Cluster Bombs to Ukraine
The artillery-fired cluster munitions could be lethal to Russian troops—and Ukrainian civilians.

It’s High Time to Prepare for Russia’s Collapse
Not planning for the possibility of disintegration betrays a dangerous lack of imagination.

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.

Lessons for the Next War
Twelve experts weigh in on how to prevent, deter, and—if necessary—fight the next conflict.

Russia Is Afraid of Western Psychic Attacks
Pseudoscience and mysticism are common among the Moscow elite.

Peace May Be a Long Way Off in Ukraine in 2023
Both sides believe they can win on the battlefield.

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.

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?

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.

Belarus Is Inching Toward Invading Ukraine
Signs are growing that an invasion from the north could be imminent.

Whatever Happened to Russia’s Vaunted Cyberoffensive?
The war in Ukraine is more about artillery shells than cyberexploits—for now.

Why the Oil Price Cap Won’t Hurt Putin
The West wants to have its Russian oil price cake and eat it too.

The Trouble With Russian Blacklisting
Moscow’s ban on Western academics and researchers makes the world a more dangerous place.

The Russian Army Is Preparing for a Fresh Attack
Many of the problems from the initial draft have been solved.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Don’t Be Afraid of a Russian Collapse
Why is the West so hesitant about a clear Ukrainian victory?

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.

Ukraine Braces for a Brutal Winter Under Russian Bombs
Those who return home find shattered houses, no heat, and the worst yet to come.

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

Turkey Is NATO’s Pivot Point Over Ukraine
Erdogan is trying to strike a balance of being pro-Ukraine but not anti-Russia.

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

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

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.

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.

Russia Is Running Low on Ammo
The United States is wondering if Russia has enough artillery to keep up its war in Ukraine.

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.

What’s the Harm in Talking to Russia? A Lot, Actually.
Diplomacy is neither intrinsically moral nor always strategically wise.

Congress to Ukraine: We’ve Still Got Your Back
Lawmakers flock to security conference to allay doubts over long-term Ukraine commitment.

Ukrainians Are Holding Strong as Some in West Falter
Ukrainian identity has been fundamentally changed by invasion.

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.

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.

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

Ukrainians Returning to Liberated Towns Find Utter Destruction
For many coming home to Ukraine’s east, their prewar lives are a distant dream.

Ukraine’s Appetite for Weapons Is Straining Western Stockpiles
“I think everyone now is sufficiently worried,” a NATO official said.

NATO Chief Says Ukraine Air Defense Likely Cause of Poland Explosion
Russia still to blame for incident after bombarding Ukraine with missiles, Stoltenberg says.

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.

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.

U.S. Struggles to Help Ukraine Keep the Lights On
Ukraine needs heaters as much as HIMARS.

Ukraine Pushes Russia Out of Kherson, the Biggest Liberation Yet
Ukraine is continuing its offensive—even in subzero temperatures.

Welcome to the New Age of Nukes
Russia’s posturing may encourage a dangerous wave of nuclear diplomacy.

Dual-Use Goods Are Fueling Russia’s War on Ukraine
Russia’s advanced military systems are dependent on components from the West.

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.

6 Wrong Lessons for Taiwan From the War in Ukraine
A potential Asian war would look very different.

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.

Why Isn’t Russia a Democracy?
The country wasn’t preordained to despotism or a clash with the West.

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.

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.

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.

Russia’s Ukraine Disaster Exposes China’s Military Weakness
Beijing knows its own military has much in common with Moscow's ineffective force.

The Defiance of Celebrating Literature in the Midst of War
How this year’s Lviv BookForum in Ukraine became an act of solidarity.

Russia Wages Winter Information War Against the West
The Kremlin is headhunting useful idiots to undermine European unity before Kyiv can prevail.

The Dangers of ‘Catastrophic Consequences’
Sixty years after the Cuban missile crisis, Biden is re-creating nuclear deterrence on the fly.

Why Putin’s Nuclear Gambit Is a Huge Mistake
The only thing more terrifying than Russian nuclear use is letting fear drive Western strategy.

As War Hits the Homefront, Russia’s Defeat Inches Closer
Battlefield losses, military corruption, and a disastrous mobilization drive have broken the social contract.

Why the World Should Be Worried About Chechnya
The tiny territory and its bellicose leader reveal the fragility of Russia’s multiethnic federation.

Can Putin’s Center Hold?
The elites used to need the Russian president. Now he needs them.

Ukraine Is the World’s Foreign-Policy Rorschach Test
There are two basic ways to think about the war—and the world.

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.

Why the War in Ukraine Won’t Spark a Nuclear Proliferation Cascade
Arguments to the contrary overlook the complexity of nuclear decision-making.

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.

Russia’s Minorities Don’t Want to Be Putin’s Foot Soldiers
A hasty mobilization is sparking fear and resistance.

The Thaw on Russia’s Periphery Has Already Started
All around a war-weakened Russia, there is a giant geopolitical sucking sound.

Helsinki Commission Recommends Kicking Russia Off U.N. Security Council
Not so fast, experts say.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

Ukraine Changes Weapons Wish List After Kyiv Terrorism Attacks
Send more air defenses, Ukrainian officials implored, and send them now.

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.

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.

Putin’s Most Loyal Balkan Client
Hard-line Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik has given the Russian president a firm foothold in the Balkans.

How the White House Plans to Hurt Putin
U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo on the preparations that go into sanctioning Russia.

Why Putin’s Denunciations of Western Imperialism Ring Hollow
Russia is among the world’s most ambitious imperial nations.

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.

Putin’s Mobilization Mess Was Years in the Making
Russia can’t recruit, train, equip, or supply new troops. So what’s the plan?

Russia’s Army Keeps Collapsing After Falling Back in Kherson
Ukraine has made huge inroads in the south and east.

Mobilization Can’t Save Russia’s War
Russian troops are being trained to be cannon fodder.

Central Asia Faces a Russian Migrant Crisis
As men flee Putin’s draft, Russia’s neighbors struggle to cope.

‘Putin’s Chef’ Steps Out of the Shadows
Yevgeny Prigozhin wants to ride the Wagner Group to greater glory.

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.

The Russian Warship and the South China Sea
What lessons does the sinking of the Moskva have for Taiwan?

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.

Russia’s Annexed Land Is a Crime Scene
Ukraine needs help documenting Russian atrocities.

In Washington, Everyone Wins if Ukraine Wins
How backing Kyiv can bridge the partisan divide and make U.S. foreign policy great again.

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

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.

Baltic States Wanted German Tanks in Ukraine Yesterday
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised a new foreign policy. Critics say he has yet to deliver.

Russia’s Defeat Would Be America’s Problem
Victory in Ukraine could easily mean hubris in Washington.

The Crazy Logic of Brinksmanship Is Back
The West can only counter Putin’s nuclear threats with ruinous threats of its own.

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.

Diplomacy Is Still (Just About) Possible in Ukraine
The Black Sea agreement offers a model for off-ramps to escalation.

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.

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.

Russia Can’t Protect Its Allies Anymore
Moscow is overstretched in Ukraine—and Armenia is suffering the consequences.

Putin Doubles Down on a Bad Hand With Mobilization
The war in Ukraine is going so bad, he’s willing to risk domestic unrest.

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.

‘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.

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

Ukraine’s 1777 Moment
Victory in Kharkiv may be as significant for Ukraine’s independence as the Battle of Saratoga was for America’s.

Kazakhstan Is Breaking Out of Russia’s Grip
The Ukraine war has given Astana a unique chance to frustrate Moscow.

NATO’s Stoltenberg: Ukraine’s Gains Are ‘Extremely Encouraging’
The trans-Atlantic alliance chief discusses Russia’s war in Ukraine and competing with China.

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.

Russia Is Seeding Ukraine’s Soil With Land Mines
Removing mines will be a long and costly operation.

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.