Ideas

Explainer: Russia's Illegal Plan to Annex More of Ukraine

As Moscow clears Red Square for a Friday ceremony, a look at popular sentiment in the four distinct regions.

Ideas

Nord Stream Leaks Underline Gray-Zone Risks

Damaging a neighbor’s environment can be easy, cheap, and deniable.

Ideas

Edging Towards the Nuclear Abyss

In doctrine and posture, the world’s nuclear powers are making nuclear war more, not less, likely.

Ideas

Putin’s War, and His Rule, Are In Trouble

Russia’s mobilization is an epic disaster. Can it become a movement against the regime?

Ideas

Putin’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week Looks Even Worse Through a China Lens

A series of meetings reveal how Beijing is stealing Russia’s influence even in its own backyard.

Ideas

In NYC, a Bronx Cheer for Putin, Trump, and the Aging UN

As the General Assembly met for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine, Biden warned against nuclear war and the UN’s growing irrelevance. Will he do more?

Threats

Ukraine: Russia’s Draft, Setbacks Mean It’s Time for More Advanced Weapons

Kyiv’s winter wishlist includes long-range artillery, armored Humvees, kamikaze drones, and more.

Ideas

War Is No Reason to Put Arms-Control Negotiations on Hold

The possibility that Russia might use nuclear weapons in Ukraine is just one of the nuclear dangers we must address.

Threats

Russia Increasing Aggression Over Syria As Ukraine Losses Mount

“It’s a bit concerning,” CENTCOM air chief says, as Russia’s strikes put U.S. forces in Syria at greater risk.

Ideas

Ukraine’s Success Shows Mastery of 3 Essential Skills of Modern Warfare

Operational art can still trump relative combat power, and deception is still possible in our age of satellites and cellphones.

Threats

NATO Forges Plans to Surge Forces to Baltics In a Crisis

Estonia is planning new training areas and infrastructure under a defense budget increase.

Policy

US Weighs Escalation Risk As Ukraine Asks for Longer-range Missiles

Will ATACMS become the latest weapon that Washington has initially withheld, but ultimately given?