Russia-NATO Relations News & Analysis

Recent history shows that durable security arrangements depend less on formal promises than on a combination of dense verification, credible sponsorship, and pre-agreed enforcement – all of which are proving elusive in the Ukraine war.

Instead of competing in a race-to-the-bottom where adversaries enjoy an advantage in low-end mass manufacturing, the West could play to its strengths by forcing drone warfare to a higher frequency band. Here is a thought experiment on what that might look like.

In an ongoing effort to sow social discord and create political costs for supporting Ukraine, Moscow is pushing the envelope on gray zone warfare. This backgrounder examines the costs and benefits of the Kremlin’s campaign, highlighting some of the most notable incidents of arson and sabotage on the continent.

The Poseidon is an underwater unmanned vehicle and one of Russia’s ‘unparalleled’ next-generation weapon systems. The state authorities would have us believe that it can defy the laws of physics. No wonder it has never been seen in the field.

The Ukraine war illustrates how the existing rules-based order must adapt to a world where no one country or bloc can dictate policy to the rest, or face collapse.

Messaging surrounding Russia’s latest failed test launch of its RS-28 “Sarmat” suggests that this ‘peerless’ next-generation ICBM is more propaganda tool than strategic gamechanger.

Russia’s 9M730 Burevestnik is being touted as a technological breakthrough, but the technical details don’t add up.

The prevailing narrative that Ukraine is unduly benefiting at the expense of the United States disintegrates upon closer inspection of the diplomatic, economic, and military subtext of the war.

NATO’s Supreme Allied Commanders Europe have been American since Gen. Eisenhower. Henry Kissinger suggested that a European should lead the alliance’s forces in Europe. Has the time come 40 years later?

Examining the central importance of security guarantees in Ukraine peace talks, why Kyiv continues to push for NATO membership, and what an eventual compromise might look like.

If Zelensky is unwilling to acquiesce to peace on US-Russian terms, the next natural step is to try and find a leader who will.

A hypothetical peacekeeping contingent in post-war Ukraine would be fraught with logistical, financial, and diplomatic difficulties. But Türkiye might be best placed to form its core.

The initial success of Ukraine’s Kursk offensive provided a morale boost by demonstrating that Kyiv can challenge Russia on its own turf. Yet the long-term geopolitical value is more complicated.

There is now a clear recognition that Trump is not an aberration and cannot be treated as such. Where European leaders go from here will define the next historical phase of transatlantic relations.

Though the Ukraine war led to increased defense spending in European NATO member states, the continent remains far off from being able to credibly defend itself without assistance from Washington.