Ideas

What We Talk About When We Talk About Russia

American conservatives who find themselves identifying with Putin’s regime refuse to see the country for what it actually is.

Threats

Ep. 61: Influence operations in 2020

In 2016, Moscow sowed division with fake news. Today, Russian agents simply reflect the things Americans say about each other.

Policy

Ukraine Would Get New Anti-Ship Missiles Under House Bill

Russia would also get new sanctions under the House version of the defense authorization bill.

Threats

Esper 'Concerned' About Russian Influence in Egypt, Saudi Arabia

The defense secretary says Moscow's other Mideast efforts worry him more than its growing presence in Syria.

Ideas

The ‘Russia Hoax’ Is a Hoax

A report by the FBI inspector general debunks the claims that the investigation into political interference by the Kremlin was a left-wing conspiracy to depose the president.

Threats

Who’s Really to Blame for the ‘Ukraine Did It’ Conspiracy Theory?

Judging on the basis of public evidence, the narrative about Ukraine was propagated first and foremost by Americans, not Russian disinformation puppeteers.

Ideas

A New Nuclear Deal? Start with New START

Russia is ready to extend this critical treaty, but Trump isn’t taking “yes” for an answer.

Ideas

GOP Lawmakers Used to Oppose Trump's Embrace of Russia. No More.

High-ranking Republicans are now defending the president with debunked claims that national security experts say play right into Putin's hands.

Threats

Britain’s Secret War With Russia

The poisoning of a double agent sparked an intelligence and PR battle between London and Moscow, the details of which are only now emerging.

Science & Tech

Russian Trolls Are Hammering Away at NATO’s Presence in Lithuania

A broad disinformation campaign of fake news and other tricks aims to turn the Baltic nation’s public against the alliance.

Ideas

NATO Should End its Open-Door Policy

Enlarging the alliance has caused more problems than it has solved.

Ideas

Russia’s Military Is Writing an Armed-Robot Playbook

The new tactics and operating concepts will draw on three years of Syrian operations.

Ideas

Russia’s AI Quest is State-Driven — Even More than China’s. Can It Work?

Handicaps: weak private sector, Soviet-style bureaucracy. Helps: Great STEM education — and history.

Ideas

'Some of You on this Committee Appear to Believe' That Russia Didn't Meddle in 2016

In testimony, a former senior director for European and Russian affairs on Trump's National Security Council tells lawmakers to stop spreading Moscow's lies.

Ideas

Ukraine Is Taking a Beating in the Impeachment Hearings

Each new revelation about U.S. attempts to manipulate Kyiv weakens Zelensky ahead of his December meeting with Putin.

Ideas

What Is an Oligarch?

And why it matters for Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.

Ideas

Ep. 59: The future of European security

Here's a look at some of the ways Europe is changing amid various pressures from Russia, China and the NATO alliance.

Policy

'That’s When I Became A Sniper': Ukraine’s Women Vets Describe Their War

As the war in Ukraine smolders on, we sat down with women veterans who recount their experiences fighting to defend their country, and each other.

Policy

SecDef: Expect ‘Trimming, Reducing, Some Eliminations’ in 2021 Budget

Esper touts "good progress" in high-level review intended to cut fat and find funds for projects to counter China and Russia.

Ideas

The Cold War Ended 30 Years Ago. Why Are Things With Russia So Bad?

Critics said NATO expansion would start a new Cold War. They were right.