Russia’s War in Ukraine

Understanding the conflict one year on.

Vladimir Putin, then Russia's prime minister, looks at mirrors inside an X-ray telescope during his visit to the Russian Federal Nuclear Center.
Vladimir Putin, then Russia's prime minister, looks at mirrors inside an X-ray telescope during his visit to the Russian Federal Nuclear Center.

You See What You Want to See in Russia

Why didn’t Prigozhin’s mutiny against Putin change anyone’s mind?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg (not pictured) speak to the media on the second day of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg (not pictured) speak to the media on the second day of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12.

Why Ukraine’s Counteroffensive Has Been Slower Than Expected

Former CIA analyst Andrea Kendall-Taylor with the big-picture view on Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama chat after a bilateral meeting at the G-20 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama chat after a bilateral meeting at the G-20 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico.

The Long, Destructive Shadow of Obama’s Russia Doctrine

A series of bad decisions during the Obama years prepared the ground for Vladimir Putin’s war.

Battlefield Strategy

A man walks past the tail section of an unexploded rocket containing cluster submunitions in Lysychansk, Ukraine, on April 11, 2022.
A man walks past the tail section of an unexploded rocket containing cluster submunitions in Lysychansk, Ukraine, on April 11, 2022.

Cluster Munitions Are Biden’s Latest Slow-Roll on Ukraine Aid

Yes, they can put some civilians at risk—but that should be the Ukrainians’ call to make.

A dog walks in the water during an evacuation from a flooded area in Kherson, Ukraine.
A dog walks in the water during an evacuation from a flooded area in Kherson, Ukraine.

Ukrainians Are Accusing Russia of Ecocide. What Does That Mean?

The dam blast rekindled a concept with Vietnam War roots but no place in international law—yet.

An Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is fired during a joint training between the United States and South Korea.
An Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is fired during a joint training between the United States and South Korea.

The Last Big Weapon on Ukraine’s Wish List

Lawmakers want Biden to send long-range ATACMS sooner rather than later.

Pakistani Air Force F-16 fighter jets fly during a rehearsal ahead of the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 15, 2022.
Pakistani Air Force F-16 fighter jets fly during a rehearsal ahead of the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 15, 2022.

5 Reasons Ukraine Should Get F-16 Jets

They will save many lives, bring victory closer, and spare other Western resources.

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.

The U.S. flag and the Ukrainian flag fly next to each other at the Ukrainian presidential palace.
The U.S. flag and the Ukrainian flag fly next to each other at the Ukrainian presidential palace.

Congress Pressures Biden to Help Ukraine Into NATO

Kyiv doesn’t want to get stuck in NATO’s never-never land.

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova speaks next to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov at the Black Sea Security Summit in Bucharest, Romania, on April 13.
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova speaks next to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov at the Black Sea Security Summit in Bucharest, Romania, on April 13.

How Kyiv Is Wooing the Global South

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova on convincing the rest of the world to stand on the right side of history.

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.

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Three tanks lined side-by-side in a row parade down a broad paved boulevard. Soldiers in green uniforms and helmets stand on the tanks and salute. Behind them is a large building fronted with columns, North Korean flags, and a portrait of Kim Il Sung.
Three tanks lined side-by-side in a row parade down a broad paved boulevard. Soldiers in green uniforms and helmets stand on the tanks and salute. Behind them is a large building fronted with columns, North Korean flags, and a portrait of Kim Il Sung.

North Korea’s Shell Game Is Not a Game-Changer, Pentagon Says

Moscow’s deal with Pyongyang for more artillery rounds will fill Russian gaps—but likely not turn the tables in Ukraine.

A girl touches a photograph of her relative on the Memory Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine in the Russian-Ukrainian war in Kyiv.
A girl touches a photograph of her relative on the Memory Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine in the Russian-Ukrainian war in Kyiv.

What Does Victory Look Like in Ukraine?

Ukrainians differ on what would keep their nation safe from Russia.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov arrives to give a statement at Ramstein Air Base in Germany after a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on Sept. 19.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov arrives to give a statement at Ramstein Air Base in Germany after a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on Sept. 19.
Elon Musk departs following a meeting in the office of U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 13. STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
Elon Musk departs following a meeting in the office of U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 13. STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Musk’s Starlink Shutdown Raises Eyebrows

No one man should have all that power, U.S. lawmakers say.

Sevastopol Gov. Mikhail Razvozhaev speaks on a mobile phone as smoke and flames rise behind him from the burning Sevastopol Shipyard in Russian-annexed Crimea at night after an attack by Ukraine. Also seen are fire-fighhting vehicles.
Sevastopol Gov. Mikhail Razvozhaev speaks on a mobile phone as smoke and flames rise behind him from the burning Sevastopol Shipyard in Russian-annexed Crimea at night after an attack by Ukraine. Also seen are fire-fighhting vehicles.

Russia’s Home Port in Occupied Crimea Is Under Fire

“If you’re on a Russian naval ship, you’re not safe anywhere in the Black Sea,” said one retired U.S. admiral.

Military personnel wearing protective suits remove a police car and other vehicles from a public car park as they continue investigations into the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, England.
Military personnel wearing protective suits remove a police car and other vehicles from a public car park as they continue investigations into the poisoning of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, England.

Russia’s Would-Be Assassins Still Stalk Europe’s Streets

Moscow’s regular spies have been expelled. Their kill squads are still active.

A sign in the shape of the map of Ukraine in the blue and yellow colors of the flag with the inscription "Heroes do not die" in Cyrillic rests on the grave of a fallen soldier at Lychakiv cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine. A cross made of sticks and greenery and lanterns frame the scene.
A sign in the shape of the map of Ukraine in the blue and yellow colors of the flag with the inscription "Heroes do not die" in Cyrillic rests on the grave of a fallen soldier at Lychakiv cemetery in Lviv, Ukraine. A cross made of sticks and greenery and lanterns frame the scene.

The Washington Whiz Kids Mapping the War in Ukraine

How the Institute For the Study of War became the media’s go-to source for tracking the Russian invasion.

Bouquets of red roses surround a framed portrait of Wagner group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. The items are placed atop Prigozhin's grave.
Bouquets of red roses surround a framed portrait of Wagner group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. The items are placed atop Prigozhin's grave.

Prigozhin’s Assassination Was Business, Not Revenge

The Wagner chief broke the deal struck with Putin for his survival.

A man suspected to be a Russian collaborator is seen facing away through a slightly open doorway with his hands cuffed behind his back during an operation in Ukraine. He is inside a home with ornate wallpaper and wall hangings, including a calendar with a pinup girl and a framed image of Jesus.
A man suspected to be a Russian collaborator is seen facing away through a slightly open doorway with his hands cuffed behind his back during an operation in Ukraine. He is inside a home with ornate wallpaper and wall hangings, including a calendar with a pinup girl and a framed image of Jesus.

Ukraine’s Long and Sordid History of Treason

For money or out of conviction, some Ukrainians are helping Russia kill their compatriots.

Russian Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov (right), wearing a suit and tie, holds a new history book for high school students at a news conference in Moscow. Behind him out of focus are two other suited men, one with his hand to his face.
Russian Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov (right), wearing a suit and tie, holds a new history book for high school students at a news conference in Moscow. Behind him out of focus are two other suited men, one with his hand to his face.

New Russian Schoolbooks Preach Hatred of Ukraine and the West

The Kremlin has taken indoctrination and historical falsification to a new level.

A billboard promoting contract army service is seen in front of the Wagner Group center in St. Petersburg.
A billboard promoting contract army service is seen in front of the Wagner Group center in St. Petersburg.

New Russian Law Takes Corporate Hostages

Western companies’ assets are under threat.

A Russian soldier patrols the Mariupol drama theater, bombed by Russia when it housed civilian refugees, in Mariupol, Ukraine, on April 12, 2022.
A Russian soldier patrols the Mariupol drama theater, bombed by Russia when it housed civilian refugees, in Mariupol, Ukraine, on April 12, 2022.

Why We Should Not Bet on a Peaceful Russia

The idea that a deal with Moscow will bring peace in Ukraine is based on very flimsy assumptions.

A member of the private mercenary Wagner Group pays tribute to Yevgeny Prigozhin after his plane crashed at the makeshift memorial in front of the Wagner office in Novosibirsk, Russia.
A member of the private mercenary Wagner Group pays tribute to Yevgeny Prigozhin after his plane crashed at the makeshift memorial in front of the Wagner office in Novosibirsk, Russia.

What’s Next for the Wagner Group?

The infamous Russian mercenary group finds itself without a leader, but still with a mission.

A Wagner fighter pays tribute to Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin at a makeshift memorial in Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
A Wagner fighter pays tribute to Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmitry Utkin at a makeshift memorial in Rostov-on-Don, Russia.

A Dead Prigozhin Won’t Stop Tales of a Weak Putin

Interpretations of the Wagner saga are more imaginative than analytical.

A screen grab captured from a video shared online shows Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Russian private security company Wagner Group, in an unspecified location in Africa.
A screen grab captured from a video shared online shows Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Russian private security company Wagner Group, in an unspecified location in Africa.

Russia’s Murderous Mercenary Prigozhin Is Dead

The Wagner chief’s death in a plane crash was confirmed by Russia’s aviation agency.

A picture taken on July 17 shows a Russian warship sailing near the Kerch Bridge, linking the Russian mainland to Crimea, following an attack claimed by Ukrainian forces.
A picture taken on July 17 shows a Russian warship sailing near the Kerch Bridge, linking the Russian mainland to Crimea, following an attack claimed by Ukrainian forces.

Russia’s Illegal Bridges Have Ukrainian Crosshairs on Them

Kyiv is determined to destroy a major supply line into occupied Crimea.

A woman holding a Ukrainian flag speaks during a pro-Ukraine rally in Brussels.
A woman holding a Ukrainian flag speaks during a pro-Ukraine rally in Brussels.

Ukraine’s Appeals to Europe Can Alienate Others

Rhetoric about “European civilization” clashes with anti-colonial ideals.

A visitor views an exhibit of cluster bomb remnants at the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise Visitor Center in Vientiane, Laos, on July 11.
A visitor views an exhibit of cluster bomb remnants at the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise Visitor Center in Vientiane, Laos, on July 11.

Ukraine Can Learn From Southeast Asia

Cambodia and Laos have direct experience with the aftermath of U.S. cluster bombs, now deployed on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko points while speaking to foreign media. Lukashenko is a large man with white hair and a mustache and wears a dark blue suit as he sits in a chair in front of a Belarusian flag.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko points while speaking to foreign media. Lukashenko is a large man with white hair and a mustache and wears a dark blue suit as he sits in a chair in front of a Belarusian flag.

Belarus Is Abducting Ukrainian Children in Plain Sight

A trail of evidence on social networks and state media detail Minsk’s role in a potential war crime

A Ukrainian marine from the 37th Brigade walks past an M109 155 mm self-propelled howitzer at a position in the Donetsk region on July 10, 2023.
A Ukrainian marine from the 37th Brigade walks past an M109 155 mm self-propelled howitzer at a position in the Donetsk region on July 10, 2023.
A man and woman stand in front of a large outdoor wall installation featuring silver-colored plaques inscribed with names.
A man and woman stand in front of a large outdoor wall installation featuring silver-colored plaques inscribed with names.

Russia Is Attempting Genocide in Ukraine

Other states have a legal and moral duty to stop Moscow.

Platoon commanders of Ukraine's National Guard take part in a military training in the Kharkiv region on July 26.
Platoon commanders of Ukraine's National Guard take part in a military training in the Kharkiv region on July 26.

Ukraine Brings the Pain

Kyiv’s forces are finally starting to breach the dragon’s teeth.

Two men wearing military camouflage fatigues and matching hats stand in front of a building with large glass doors labeled with a logo that reads "Wagner Center" in Russian.
Two men wearing military camouflage fatigues and matching hats stand in front of a building with large glass doors labeled with a logo that reads "Wagner Center" in Russian.

Is the Wagner Group a Terrorist Organization?

The answer could have wide-ranging implications for U.S. policy in Africa and beyond

A man walks past the headquarters of the Federal Security Service, the successor agency to the KGB, in central Moscow.
A man walks past the headquarters of the Federal Security Service, the successor agency to the KGB, in central Moscow.
Igor Girkin sits inside a glass defendant’s cage during a hearing to consider a request on his pretrial arrest in Moscow.
Igor Girkin sits inside a glass defendant’s cage during a hearing to consider a request on his pretrial arrest in Moscow.

Putin’s Paranoia Has Turned on Russia’s Far Right

The security state is targeting nationalists like Igor Girkin.

Tourists visited the coast near Antalya, Turkey—a popular destination for Russian and European holidays, on Aug. 4, 2022.
Tourists visited the coast near Antalya, Turkey—a popular destination for Russian and European holidays, on Aug. 4, 2022.

Sanctions Haven’t Stopped Russians From Having Their Fun in the Sun

Boeing aircraft are still plying tourist routes from Moscow to Turkey, Egypt, and Thailand, and they’re refueling—and possibly getting repairs—en route.

A ship is loaded with Ukrainian wheat at a port on the Black Sea.
A ship is loaded with Ukrainian wheat at a port on the Black Sea.

Russia Declares War on Wheat, Peas, and Barley

Moscow used to bang shoes to get attention. Now it blows up grain warehouses.

U.S. President Joe Biden and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa walk to a working session at the G-7 summit in Cornwall in the United Kingdom.
U.S. President Joe Biden and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa walk to a working session at the G-7 summit in Cornwall in the United Kingdom.

Inside the Desperate Diplomatic Efforts to Salvage U.S.-South Africa Ties

South Africa’s support for Russia after its invasion of Ukraine has incensed some in Washington.

A crowd of residents of Bangui, Central African Republic, demonstrate on the street on a cloudy day. In the foreground, a man in a yellow shirt waves a Russian flag. Next to him, another man bows his head with his hands clasped, possibly in prayer.
A crowd of residents of Bangui, Central African Republic, demonstrate on the street on a cloudy day. In the foreground, a man in a yellow shirt waves a Russian flag. Next to him, another man bows his head with his hands clasped, possibly in prayer.

What the Wagner Mutiny Means for China in Africa

When it comes to increasing its security footprint abroad, Beijing is facing a conundrum in reconciling Maoist doctrine with contemporary reality.

A view of a spent nuclear fuel storage site at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine.
A view of a spent nuclear fuel storage site at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine.

How Worried Should We Be About Zaporizhzhia?

It’s not Chernobyl 2.0. But experts say Russian threats to cause a catastrophe shouldn’t be dismissed lightly.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko speaks during a meeting with Commonwealth of Independent States officials in Minsk.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko speaks during a meeting with Commonwealth of Independent States officials in Minsk.

Lukashenko Won the Putin-Prigozhin Fight

The dictator of Belarus recognized the mutiny in Russia as an opportunity to empower himself.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gives a press conference during the NATO summit in Vilnius.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gives a press conference during the NATO summit in Vilnius.

Europe Can Flex Its Military Muscle to Protect Postwar Ukraine

Integrating Kyiv into the Joint Expeditionary Force would help deter Moscow.

A crew member prepares a grain analysis on board the ship Nord Vind.
A crew member prepares a grain analysis on board the ship Nord Vind.

Russia Is Holding Ukraine’s Farms Hostage

Moscow is weaponizing resources that aren’t even its own.

A tail section of a 300 mm rocket, which appears to contain cluster bombs, is embedded in the ground in eastern Ukraine.
A tail section of a 300 mm rocket, which appears to contain cluster bombs, is embedded in the ground in eastern Ukraine.

Cluster Bombs Are Terrible. Ukraine Still Needs Them.

I saw the impact of these weapons on my homeland—but Biden’s decision was right.

A middle-aged woman wearing a surgical face mask and holding a purse inserts a paper into a transparent ballot box. Behind her is a room with cream walls and sculpted crown moldings, and other people move around between a table of election staffers and curtained voting booths.
A middle-aged woman wearing a surgical face mask and holding a purse inserts a paper into a transparent ballot box. Behind her is a room with cream walls and sculpted crown moldings, and other people move around between a table of election staffers and curtained voting booths.

Wartime Elections in Ukraine Are Impossible

Voting in the middle of the Russian invasion is legally and practically unworkable.

Two men sit at control boards inside the control room at a nuclear missile base outside Moscow.
Two men sit at control boards inside the control room at a nuclear missile base outside Moscow.

Prigozhin’s Failed Coup Was a Blessing in Disguise

In times of political instability, Washington prefers the nuclear devil it knows.

Anders-Fogh-Rasmussen-FPLive-Site-3-2
Anders-Fogh-Rasmussen-FPLive-Site-3-2

Anders Fogh Rasmussen: ‘Putin Has Exploited Our Hesitation’

NATO’s former secretary-general on the case for arming Ukraine and what to expect at the Vilnius summit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg shake hands after a joint news conference in Kyiv on April 20.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg shake hands after a joint news conference in Kyiv on April 20.
Ukrainian soldiers fire a M777 howitzer toward Russian positions on the front line in eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian soldiers fire a M777 howitzer toward Russian positions on the front line in eastern Ukraine.

Biden Set to OK Cluster Munitions for Ukraine

The decision to send the controversial weapons comes after months of knife fights within the U.S. administration.

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a virtual trilateral meeting to discuss the topic of Syria with the leaders of Iran and Turkey.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a virtual trilateral meeting to discuss the topic of Syria with the leaders of Iran and Turkey.

The Wagner Mutiny Could Strengthen Iran in Syria

Putin faces a choice between punishing Prigozhin and ceding influence and territory to Tehran.

Russian military officer Sergei Rudskoy sits below a map of Syria screened during a briefing at the headquarters of the Russian defense ministry in Moscow.
Russian military officer Sergei Rudskoy sits below a map of Syria screened during a briefing at the headquarters of the Russian defense ministry in Moscow.

The Putin-Prigozhin Fight Now Has a Syrian Battlefield

The Kremlin is trying to take control of the Wagner Group’s Middle Eastern empire.

A colorized print depicts Bohemian mercenary General Albrecht Wenzel von Wallenstein, wearing a hat with a feather, thigh-high boots, and lace cuffs and collar as he rides atop a bearded man wearing a tall furry hat as though he were a horse. Marauding soldiers are seen in the background landscape of houses and castles.
A colorized print depicts Bohemian mercenary General Albrecht Wenzel von Wallenstein, wearing a hat with a feather, thigh-high boots, and lace cuffs and collar as he rides atop a bearded man wearing a tall furry hat as though he were a horse. Marauding soldiers are seen in the background landscape of houses and castles.

Prigozhin Should Study Europe’s Greatest Mercenary

Albrecht von Wallenstein was the Holy Roman Empire’s power broker—until he clashed with his superior.

Members of Russia's Wagner Group, including one soldier riding atop a tank, prepare to pull out from the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to their base in Rostov-on-Don.
Members of Russia's Wagner Group, including one soldier riding atop a tank, prepare to pull out from the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to their base in Rostov-on-Don.

Is Revolt in Russia Good for America?

The Wagner Group’s short-lived mutiny seems to have weakened Putin—but that isn’t necessarily a win for Washington.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu walk to watch military exercises in Leningrad oblast.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu walk to watch military exercises in Leningrad oblast.

Adam Tooze: How Putin Overstretched His Military in Ukraine

Last weekend’s mutiny was partly the product of a mismanaged authoritarian state.

A Russian intercontinental ballistic missile that can deliver multiple nuclear warheads sits on a Moscow street during the rehearsal for a Victory Day parade on May 7. A soldier in fatigues stands in the foreground with tall buildings in the distance.
A Russian intercontinental ballistic missile that can deliver multiple nuclear warheads sits on a Moscow street during the rehearsal for a Victory Day parade on May 7. A soldier in fatigues stands in the foreground with tall buildings in the distance.

Russia’s Nukes Are Probably Secure From Rogue Actors

Moscow has a tight command-and-control system—but there’s always a risk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping reach out to shake hands, against a backdrop of Russian and Chinese flags, at the Kremlin in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping reach out to shake hands, against a backdrop of Russian and Chinese flags, at the Kremlin in Moscow.

Xi’s Schadenfreude Over Moscow’s Mutiny

Xi feels vindicated over Putin’s style of governance—but has made a bad bet on the Russian leader.

A member of the Wagner Group stands guard with a rifle in front of a large stucco building flying a Russian flag against a blue sky. The guard wears a green helmet and uniform along with a camouflage face covering.
A member of the Wagner Group stands guard with a rifle in front of a large stucco building flying a Russian flag against a blue sky. The guard wears a green helmet and uniform along with a camouflage face covering.

Wagner Mutiny Rattles the Kremlin’s War in Ukraine

With its good fighters out of the picture, Russia’s manpower problems get worse.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrive at the Commonwealth of Independent States summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrive at the Commonwealth of Independent States summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Russia’s Periphery Takes Note of Putin’s Sudden Weakness

In Central Asia and the Caucasus, the Wagner rebellion has exposed Russia’s fragility.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the Russian public, as seen on screens in Moscow on June 24.
Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the Russian public, as seen on screens in Moscow on June 24.

Putin’s Strongman Image Suddenly Unravels for Russians

His mishandling of the revolt puts him in the spotlight—and Russians don’t like what they see.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, a 70-year-old man wearing a black suit and tie, leans forward with his hands on the table in front of him as he speaks into a microphone.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, a 70-year-old man wearing a black suit and tie, leans forward with his hands on the table in front of him as he speaks into a microphone.

Putin’s Stability Was Always a Myth

Prigozhin’s revolt has exposed the rotten foundations of a mafia state.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is surrounded by by members of Congress as he carries a U.S. flag in a triangular box following his address at the Capitol in Washington on Dec. 21, 2022.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is surrounded by by members of Congress as he carries a U.S. flag in a triangular box following his address at the Capitol in Washington on Dec. 21, 2022.

Congress Presses Biden to Deliver Cluster Munitions to Ukraine

Lawmakers from both parties want Ukraine to have the tools to root out entrenched Russian occupiers.

Russian conscripts attend a religious service.
Russian conscripts attend a religious service.

Wagner’s Revolt May Weaken Russia’s Draft

Conscripts will fear being used as stopgaps in Ukraine.

Russian Army Gen. Lavr Kornilov, in military garb, salutes a row of uniformed passing troops carrying weapons.
Russian Army Gen. Lavr Kornilov, in military garb, salutes a row of uniformed passing troops carrying weapons.

Why Kornilov’s Ghost Haunts Putin

A 1917 attempted coup d’etat is a reminder that even an ineffective mutiny can alter the course of history.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold glasses during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold glasses during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow.
The Russian flag is shown with military vehicles in the background.
The Russian flag is shown with military vehicles in the background.

Prigozhin’s Mutiny Is the Beginning of Putin’s End

Nobody in Russia understands what the war in Ukraine is about. And now, nobody knows if that war is coming to them.

Three members of the Wagner Group, wearing combinations of military fatigues, body armor, and helmets, sit on top of a tank in the middle of a street. Several of the men carry rifles, and all wear partial face coverings.
Three members of the Wagner Group, wearing combinations of military fatigues, body armor, and helmets, sit on top of a tank in the middle of a street. Several of the men carry rifles, and all wear partial face coverings.

What Russian Elites Think About the Wagner Crisis

What Russian elites are thinking about the mercenary leader’s abortive march on Moscow.

Two workers stand among the rubble of a damaged bus station. Crumpled sheets of corrugated metal surround them on the ground, and the windows of the station building behind them have been shattered and blown out.
Two workers stand among the rubble of a damaged bus station. Crumpled sheets of corrugated metal surround them on the ground, and the windows of the station building behind them have been shattered and blown out.

How to Curb Corruption in Ukraine’s Postwar Reconstruction

Lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan on managing malfeasance while rebuilding.

Liubov, 70, looks at the remains of her house in the Ukrainian village of Rus'ka Lozova.
Liubov, 70, looks at the remains of her house in the Ukrainian village of Rus'ka Lozova.

How to Use Russia’s Frozen Assets to Rebuild Ukraine

Conventional institutions won’t be able to handle reparations.

This photo taken on March 7 shows a cargo ship powered by LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) loaded with containers at a port in Qingdao, in China's eastern Shandong province.
This photo taken on March 7 shows a cargo ship powered by LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) loaded with containers at a port in Qingdao, in China's eastern Shandong province.

China’s Big Gas Bet Raises Questions About Complicity With Russia

Chinese-linked firms went on a spree of deals in the run-up to the invasion of Ukraine.

A Ukrainian soldier fires a rocket launcher during a military training exercise not far from the front line in the Donetsk region.
A Ukrainian soldier fires a rocket launcher during a military training exercise not far from the front line in the Donetsk region.

Ukraine’s Big Counteroffensive Gets Underway

Unlike last fall, Ukraine has to crack hardened Russian lines before doing any open-field running.

A Swedish soldier takes part in a NATO military exercise called Baltops 22 in the Stockholm archipelago.
A Swedish soldier takes part in a NATO military exercise called Baltops 22 in the Stockholm archipelago.

Sweden Pushes to Fast-Track Delayed NATO Bid

NATO is revamping defense plans that will be a whole lot harder to execute with Sweden on the outside.

A Maxar satellite image taken at 12:15 p.m. local time shows damage to a section of the roadway and sluice gates at the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine.
A Maxar satellite image taken at 12:15 p.m. local time shows damage to a section of the roadway and sluice gates at the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine.

What Ukraine’s Dam Collapse Means for the War

The breach could unleash a disastrous new humanitarian crisis as Kyiv readies its counteroffensive.

Two soldiers have breakfast outside at a small table next to their cottage near Avdiivka, Ukraine.
Two soldiers have breakfast outside at a small table next to their cottage near Avdiivka, Ukraine.

Blockade Runners Keep War-Torn Ukraine Working

“We’re basically homeless here, but at least we’re home.”

Members of the Taiwanese Air Force prepare to load U.S.-made Harpoon AGM-84 anti-ship missiles in front of an F-16 fighter jet during a drill at Chiashan Air Force Base, Hualien County, Taiwan, on Aug. 17, 2022.
Members of the Taiwanese Air Force prepare to load U.S.-made Harpoon AGM-84 anti-ship missiles in front of an F-16 fighter jet during a drill at Chiashan Air Force Base, Hualien County, Taiwan, on Aug. 17, 2022.

Taiwan Faces No Trade-Offs With Ukraine

But Taipei is also getting tired of supply chain issues.

Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya speaks during a United Nations General Assembly special session at the U.N. headquarters on Oct. 10, 2022.
Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Sergiy Kyslytsya speaks during a United Nations General Assembly special session at the U.N. headquarters on Oct. 10, 2022.

Ukrainian U.N. Ambassador: Russia Is ‘Mold That Invades Your House’

Sergiy Kyslytsya talks about Putin’s nuclear blackmail, what to do with the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, and how even Henry Kissinger can learn.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Putin Wants You to Think He’s an Anti-Woke Crusader

By pitching himself as a hero to the U.S. right, he’s taking a page from the 1960s North Vietnamese playbook to undermine support for Ukraine.

Farm workers walk through a field searching for mines and explosives near the village of Myrolyubivka in Ukraine's Kherson region on April 18.
Farm workers walk through a field searching for mines and explosives near the village of Myrolyubivka in Ukraine's Kherson region on April 18.

Ukraine’s Farmland Is a Literal Minefield

With their livelihoods threatened and the state stretched thin, agricultural workers are taking demining into their own hands.

An illustration shows Russian President Vladimir Putin on a television set with spinning lines behind him for a story about Russia's TV propaganda.
An illustration shows Russian President Vladimir Putin on a television set with spinning lines behind him for a story about Russia's TV propaganda.

A Day Inside Putin’s Surreal Television Empire

How the nonstop blare of Russian state media fuels the war effort—and blurs reality.

A container ship is seen in the Far Eastern port of Vladivostok, Russia, on Sept. 5, 2022.
A container ship is seen in the Far Eastern port of Vladivostok, Russia, on Sept. 5, 2022.

No, Russia Is Not Massively Skirting Sanctions

Eight takeaways about Russian evasion of Western sanctions.

A Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet participates in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission in Lithuanian airspace near Siauliai on May 23. Photo by Petras Malukas/AFP via Getty Images
A Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet participates in NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission in Lithuanian airspace near Siauliai on May 23. Photo by Petras Malukas/AFP via Getty Images

It’s Back-to-School Season for Ukrainian Fighter Pilots

Kyiv’s top brass hopes to get Western fighter jets before their kids go off to college.

A U.S. Navy officer patrols the flight deck of the USS Kearsarge, an amphibious assault ship docked in Gdynia, Poland, on Sept. 17, 2022.
A U.S. Navy officer patrols the flight deck of the USS Kearsarge, an amphibious assault ship docked in Gdynia, Poland, on Sept. 17, 2022.

4 Ways U.S. Support for Ukraine Helps Defend Taiwan

From deterrence to military readiness, Ukraine aid is a major boost to Pacific security.

A member of the Estonian Defense Forces sits next to a large-caliber machine gun during the Spring Storm military exercises by Estonian and allied NATO forces near Kadrina, Estonia.
A member of the Estonian Defense Forces sits next to a large-caliber machine gun during the Spring Storm military exercises by Estonian and allied NATO forces near Kadrina, Estonia.

Russia Is Already Looking Beyond Ukraine

Moscow’s massive losses may not neutralize its threat to NATO countries.

A Ukrainian artillery soldier fires a howitzer toward Russian positions near Bakhmut, Ukraine.
A Ukrainian artillery soldier fires a howitzer toward Russian positions near Bakhmut, Ukraine.

Turn Ukraine Into a Bristling Porcupine

No matter how this war ends, Russia will need to be deterred from attacking again.

Children attend an official initiation ceremony for the youth organization Young Pioneers in Moscow's Red Square.
Children attend an official initiation ceremony for the youth organization Young Pioneers in Moscow's Red Square.

Russia’s Frighteningly Fascist Youth

A new generation of Russians glorifies war, death, and Vladimir Putin.

An aerial view shows more than a thousand missiles and rockets lined up in long rows on a field of dirt and a few plants.
An aerial view shows more than a thousand missiles and rockets lined up in long rows on a field of dirt and a few plants.

Holding Russia Accountable for War Crimes Is Harder Than It Looks

Debate rages over whether to pick the “gold, silver, or bronze” medal option for prosecuting war crimes.

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sergei Lavrov meets with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor during a press conference in Pretoria, South Africa, on Jan. 23.
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sergei Lavrov meets with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor during a press conference in Pretoria, South Africa, on Jan. 23.

A South African Scandal Could Shake Up Relations With Washington

Do South Africa’s denials that it supplied weapons to Russia ring true?

A Ukrainian soldier wearing camouflage fatigues stands in front of a tank. The soldier has his hands on his hips, and his face is obscured by tactical goggles and a mask. Behind him, two more soldiers climb on the tank as they inspect it.
A Ukrainian soldier wearing camouflage fatigues stands in front of a tank. The soldier has his hands on his hips, and his face is obscured by tactical goggles and a mask. Behind him, two more soldiers climb on the tank as they inspect it.

Ukraine Begins Pre-Offensive Probe of Russian Lines

“I would really hate to be a Russian private sitting in a trench right now,” said one former U.S. military commander.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, standing behind a podium, speaks after a U.N. Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters in New York.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, standing behind a podium, speaks after a U.N. Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters in New York.

Ukraine’s Next Big Diplomatic Offensive Is in the Global South

More ambassadors, more embassies, and, the hope is, more countering Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend an event at Tsinghua University in Beijing on April 26, 2019.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend an event at Tsinghua University in Beijing on April 26, 2019.

China Won’t Let Russia Starve the World

The end of the Black Sea Grain Initiative would hurt Beijing, too.

Prisoners of a men's penal colony, wearing black clothing and black winter hats, line up in columns in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Prisoners of a men's penal colony, wearing black clothing and black winter hats, line up in columns in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Russia’s Convict-Soldiers Have Their Own Brutal Rules

The recruitment of prisoners via the Wagner Group has boosted manpower but cost morale.

A collage illustration shows a fist and raised hands holding the books "1984" and "Defying Hitler" pop out of a central star. Russian war helicopters, tanks, and a church are atop a red paper texture in the background.
A collage illustration shows a fist and raised hands holding the books "1984" and "Defying Hitler" pop out of a central star. Russian war helicopters, tanks, and a church are atop a red paper texture in the background.

For Russians, Reading Is the New Resistance

What bestselling books tell us about how Russians are processing the war.

A U.S. Bradley Fighting Vehicle is seen behind a U.S. flag during during a training session by U.S. soldiers in Nowa Deba, Poland.
A U.S. Bradley Fighting Vehicle is seen behind a U.S. flag during during a training session by U.S. soldiers in Nowa Deba, Poland.

NATO’s Got a New Backbone

It’s time for the United States to prioritize members of the alliance that understand the Russian threat and are taking it seriously.

Two Afghan women in blue burqas walk past the gated embassy building.
Two Afghan women in blue burqas walk past the gated embassy building.

The Islamic State Has a New Target: Russia

The group’s Afghanistan branch is capitalizing on the Russia-Ukraine war to recruit, fundraise, and incite violence.

Graves of mercenaries recruited by the Wagner group and killed during Russia's war in Ukraine are seen covered in flowers at the Beloostrovsky cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Graves of mercenaries recruited by the Wagner group and killed during Russia's war in Ukraine are seen covered in flowers at the Beloostrovsky cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia.

For Russians, It’s the Wild 1990s All Over Again

Overflowing graveyards and other parallels signal a threat to Vladimir Putin’s rule.

An MIG-29 Ukrainian fighter jet flies over eastern Ukraine against a pale gray sky on Jan. 1.
An MIG-29 Ukrainian fighter jet flies over eastern Ukraine against a pale gray sky on Jan. 1.

Ukraine’s Air War Heats Up

Ukraine has enjoyed air superiority for more than 400 days. Time may be running out.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva holds a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at Moncloa Palace in Madrid on April 26.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva holds a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at Moncloa Palace in Madrid on April 26.

Brazil Is Ukraine’s Best Bet for Peace

The nonaligned country has strong diplomatic traditions—and its president is a pro at building global coalitions.

A timber monastery overlooks the valley as clouds envelop the Chornohora range in the village of Dzembronya near Bystrets, Ukraine.
A timber monastery overlooks the valley as clouds envelop the Chornohora range in the village of Dzembronya near Bystrets, Ukraine.

On the Homefront, Families Mourn Ukrainian Fighters

Behind closed doors in western Ukraine, the devastating impact of the distant war becomes clear.

A Ukrainian volunteer group Brave to Rebuild helps
A Ukrainian volunteer group Brave to Rebuild helps

Ukraine Starts to Rebuild After Russia’s Rampage

But some damage can’t be fixed by bricks and mortar.

Weapons and other military hardware delivered by the United States military at Boryspil Airport, near Kyiv.
Weapons and other military hardware delivered by the United States military at Boryspil Airport, near Kyiv.

Ukraine’s Spring Offensive Is Waiting on Weapons

Every day Kyiv waits, the Russians dig deeper trenches.

Volunteers and special forces are put through their paces during military training at a "Russian University of Special Forces" center in the town of Gudermes, Chechnya.
Volunteers and special forces are put through their paces during military training at a "Russian University of Special Forces" center in the town of Gudermes, Chechnya.
Normandy landing during World War II
Normandy landing during World War II

Ukraine’s Longest Day

The first 24 hours of the expected counteroffensive will likely be decisive.

Colin Kahl, the U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington.
Colin Kahl, the U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy, testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington.

Colin Kahl: ‘We’re All In’ on Supporting Ukraine

The Pentagon’s top policymaker on Kyiv’s forthcoming spring offensive, the impact of recent leaks, and the long-term challenge of China.

Families are reunited with their children in Kyiv.
Families are reunited with their children in Kyiv.

The Kids Aren’t Alright

Kyiv says more than 16,000 Ukrainian children have been taken to Russia. This is the story of a few who made it home.

An activist is seen through a rainbow flag during a Pride parade in Kyiv.
An activist is seen through a rainbow flag during a Pride parade in Kyiv.

Putin’s Homophobia Is Advancing LGBTQ Rights in Ukraine

Many have begun to associate anti-gay bigotry with imperial aggression.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping leave a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping leave a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow.

China Is Studying Russia’s Economic Playbook for Conflict

Moscow’s efforts to deflect Western intervention may be applied to Taiwan.

A picture shows a funeral ceremony for a fallen Russian soldier at a cemetery in Bogoroditsk, Russia.
A picture shows a funeral ceremony for a fallen Russian soldier at a cemetery in Bogoroditsk, Russia.

Casualties Won’t Topple Putin

But they will make his job much more difficult.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, participate in a news briefing at the Pentagon.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, participate in a news briefing at the Pentagon.

Washington Does Damage Control on Ukraine War Leaks

Both Washington and Kyiv sought to downplay the more than 50 classified documents that surfaced on an internet server in March.

A German Leopard tank at a training ground in Munster, Germany.
A German Leopard tank at a training ground in Munster, Germany.
Graves of Wagner Group mercenaries killed in Russia's invasion of Ukraine dot the Mavrino village cemetery outside Moscow.
Graves of Wagner Group mercenaries killed in Russia's invasion of Ukraine dot the Mavrino village cemetery outside Moscow.

Russia’s State-Backed Mercenaries Are Building a Brand on Cruelty

The Wagner Group is strikingly reckless with its own men’s lives.

The Russian Navy and fighter jets take part in a military exercise on the coast of the Black Sea in Crimea.
The Russian Navy and fighter jets take part in a military exercise on the coast of the Black Sea in Crimea.

The U.S. and NATO Seek to Blunt Putin’s Black Sea Ambitions

The war in Ukraine exposes a vulnerable seam in NATO strategy.

People stand after the ceremonial raising of the Finnish national flag at NATO headquarters in Brussels on April 4.
People stand after the ceremonial raising of the Finnish national flag at NATO headquarters in Brussels on April 4.

Why Neutrality Is Obsolete in the 21st Century

As Finland joins NATO, a few European holdouts cling to nonalignment.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping make a toast at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping make a toast at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

China’s ‘Peace Plan’ for Ukraine Isn’t About Peace

Beijing’s diplomatic overture has three ulterior motives.

U.S. President Joe Biden walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
U.S. President Joe Biden walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
Indian Air Force Su-30 fighter planes perform during Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru, India, on Feb. 13.
Indian Air Force Su-30 fighter planes perform during Aero India 2023 in Bengaluru, India, on Feb. 13.

India’s Defense Plans Fall Victim to Putin’s War

Russian weapons dominate India’s arsenal, but Moscow can no longer deliver.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto signs Finland's national NATO legislation in Helsinki.
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto signs Finland's national NATO legislation in Helsinki.

Finland’s ‘NATO Option’ Set to Become Reality

Putin’s war in Ukraine is about to add 800 miles to his headaches.

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.
Ukrainian soldiers train outside Kyiv
Ukrainian soldiers train outside Kyiv

How Ukraine Learned to Fight

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

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.

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.

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 President Vladimir Putin delivers his annual state of the nation address.
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his annual state of the nation address.

Putin Should Have Known His Invasion Would Fail

Russian intelligence ignored facts in favor of wish-casting.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

Vladimir Putin speaks during the Preliminary Draw of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia at The Konstantin Palace on July 25, 2015 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Vladimir Putin speaks during the Preliminary Draw of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia at The Konstantin Palace on July 25, 2015 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

What Putin Got Right

The Russian president got many things wrong about invading Ukraine—but not everything.

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.

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.

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.

An M1 Abrams battle tank of the U.S. Army
An M1 Abrams battle tank of the U.S. Army
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.