Section: The National Interest (USA)
Ukraine Buffeted from East and West
Paul R. Pillar Russia Ukraine, Europe A visit to Kiev reveals a Ukrainian national identity that has come a long way for a corner of Eurasia that once was known as Little Russia. Ukraine was a large part of the USSR and a major contributor to its economy and military strength, but now, conflict with Russia is a defining characteristic of...
Get Ready, Russia: Britain Is Sending Warships to the Black Sea
Michael Peck Security, Putin won’t be happy. Is Britain girding for a fight in Russia’s backyard? For the first time since the Cold War, Britain is sending a warship to the Black Sea on a military mission. This time, the goal is to send a message to Russia: don’t invade Ukraine. The question is whether Russia will—or even...
Dealing With a Revanchist Russia
Brian Michael Jenkins Security, The Western allies and Russia conceivably could achieve through dialogue and accommodation a more constructive relationship. The current debate in Washington about Russia’s role in attempting to influence the outcome of the U.S. presidential race is part of the larger strategic issue of how to respond to a...
5 Reasons China and America Could Go to War
Harry J. Kazianis Security, Asia Would it go nuclear? While thankfully the chances of all-out war are remote, as all parties would have a tremendous amount to lose—including their own lives in a nuclear confrontation—the possibility remains, as history has taught us all too well. Here we will explore five ways Washington and Beijing could find...
The ABCs of Russian Military Power: A Primer for the New Administration
Michael Kofman Security, Eurasia What the new Pentagon needs to know. The current confrontation in U.S.-Russia relations, and increasing antagonism in the relationship, makes it difficult to separate structural changes in the European security environment from politically charged sources of conflict. Yet these changes have been profound, dating...
Get Ready, Europe: Is the War Between Russia and Ukraine Back On?
Nolan Peterson Security, A dangerous dance is occuring in Eastern Ukraine–and it could have global ramifications. KYIV, Ukraine—Artillery and rockets have been raining down on the front-line town of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine since Sunday, leaving 16,000 civilians, including 2,000 children, without heat, electricity, or clean water as...
Toward a New Equilibrium in U.S.-Russian Relations
Thomas E. Graham Politics, Eurasia The new administration must understand how Russia relates to American goals. President Trump will face no more urgent foreign-policy task than developing a Russia policy. His warm words for Russian president Vladimir Putin and his questioning of long-standing bipartisan U.S. policy have alarmed key...
The Ukraine-Russia Conflict: A Way Forward
Matthew Rojansky Security, Eurasia Washington cannot afford to miss this window of opportunity. On November 14, 2016, the International Criminal Court issued a preliminary finding endorsing Ukraine’s claims that Russia had committed acts of aggression against its territory, citizens and infrastructure. Ukrainians, who for more than two...
There Are the 5 Killer Weapons Russia Could Use to Crush Ukraine
Robert Farley Security, Europe Over time, the once-robust Ukrainian defense industry may restore some of the Ukrainian military’s key capabilities. For now, Moscow continues to hold the most important cards. Because of Western reticence about transferring lethal arms to Kiev, as well as Ukraine’s dire economic situation, there is no...
Russia’s Military Is Attempting to Close the Gap with America in This Key Area
Dave Majumdar Security, Russia is still well behind the other great power in developing unmanned and autonomous systems, but given the Kremlin’s focus on the technology—the gap is starting to close. Russia’s new state armament program, which will run through 2025, will focus heavily on unmanned and autonomous systems. But while the...
