Ukraine

Why Putin Still Has Leverage After Four Years of War

The battlefield is only one source of power. Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, one of the easiest mistakes to make is to measure Vladimir Putin’s leverage by territory alone. How many kilometers has Russia captured?

Why Russia Wants a Stronger Relationship With North Korea

At first glance, the relationship seems strange. Russia is one of the world's largest countries. North Korea is isolated, heavily sanctioned and economically much smaller.

What Putin Actually Wants From Negotiations

Every time peace talks appear on the horizon, the same question returns: What does Putin actually want? The answer is more complicated than “Ukraine.”

The Russia–China Relationship Is Bigger Than Ukraine

The easiest way to understand Russia and China is to look at Ukraine. It is also one of the easiest ways to misunderstand them. Because the relationship between Moscow and Beijing did not begin with the 2022 invasion.

How Russia's Economy Has Adapted to Sanctions

When the first major sanctions arrived after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the expectation in many Western capitals was straightforward: Cut Russia off from capital. Restrict technology.

How Drones Changed Modern Warfare

For most of military history, hiding meant something. You could put soldiers underground. Move equipment at night.

Why Russia and North Korea Are Getting Closer

When Vladimir Putin arrived in Pyongyang in June 2024, he and Kim Jong Un signed a treaty that promised more than friendly declarations. It bound their governments to military and other assistance if either were subjected to armed invasion,…