Are Putin’s ‘Red Lines’ Real Threats or Hollow Bluffs?
DEEP DIVE — Does Vladimir Putin have actual “red lines” for the West when it comes to the war in Ukraine? And if so, what will […] More
Russia
North Korean Deployment Sparks Fears of Escalation – Even ‘World War’ – in Ukraine
DEEP DIVE — North Korea’s deployment of thousands of troops to Russia – presumably for use in the war against Ukraine – has stunned policymakers and […] More
Putin is Offering the West a Choice between War and Dishonor
OPINION – Russian President Vladimir Putin has started the largest conflict on the European continent since World War II. He is the architect and driving […] More
Whatever Happened to Russia’s Wagner Group?
DEEP DIVE — More than a year after the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the infamous leader of the shadowy Russian mercenary outfit known as the Wagner […] More
Why the West Keeps Misreading Russia – and Why That’s Dangerous
OPINION — As the U.S. continues to respond to Russia’s war against Ukraine, there is an ongoing assumption that dominates DC policy debates regarding Russia: that […] More
How Russia’s War Machine Keeps Raking In Money
DEEP DIVE — More than two and a half years after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s economy shows surprising resilience. Despite an unprecedented 2,000 sanctions […] More
How Putin Uses ‘Nuclear Coercion’ Against Ukraine – and the West
EXPERT INTERVIEWS — It’s a warning Russia has issued repeatedly since the first days of its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine: Don’t forget that we are […] More
Why the Buck Stops with Bulgaria When It Comes to Russian Interference in the Balkans
OPINION — Bulgaria, a European nation often overlooked in discussions about Western values, is poised to become a crucial player in the geopolitical landscape. The Russian […] More
Reagan Did Win the Cold War
OPINION — As we debate whether we’re in a new cold war, a recent movie and book about the legacy of President Ronald Reagan have inspired […] More
A Russian Intel Unit’s Journey – From Hit Squad to ‘Geek Squad’
DEEP DIVE — Few Americans have ever heard of Unit 29155 or 161 Center. For those who have, the names evoke fear and loathing. Access […] More
As US Election Nears, Fears That Russia is Manipulating West ‘As Never Before’
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW — Just two months before the November 5 U.S. election, Russian disinformation operations appear to be in full swing. Having warned all year […] More
Baltic Fear of Russia: ‘It’s Not Just Theoretical Anymore’
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW — In any discussion of the potential threat Russia poses beyond Ukraine, the three Baltic states are at the top of the list. With […] More
Ukraine’s Heaviest Drone Strike Seeks to Bring War to Russia
DEEP DIVE — Ukraine fired a wave of drones and missiles at Moscow and several other Russian regions late Monday, in one of its heaviest attacks […] More
This Administration’s Final Decisions on Ukraine could be its most important
An Open Letter to U.S. National Security Advisor, The Hon. Jake Sullivan Dear Sir: The world is still at a critical inflection point in history. […] More
How Russia’s Military Went From Feared Power to Failing Force
EXPERT INTERVIEW – Ukraine’s invasion of the Kursk region has stunned many people – in Russia and beyond – for its success in capturing Russian […] More
Russia’s Propaganda Army, Pitching a ‘Nightmare Scenario’ For Ukraine
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW — Russia boasts the world’s largest land mass, one of the world’s largest standing armies, and a weapon that it has used to great […] More
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister: Kursk Incursion May Be a Game Changer
EXPERT Q&A — As Ukraine’s Kursk incursion enters its third week, much remains unclear about both the mission and the implications for the broader war. […] More
How Does the CIA Recruit Russian Spies?
CIPHER BRIEF REPORTING — As any good intelligence officer will tell you, recruiting spies is a tough business. Not only do you have to identify […] More