Analysis

This listing contains all the analytical materials posted on the Russia Matters website. These include: RM Exclusives, commissioned by Russia Matters exclusively for this website; Recommended Reads, deemed particularly noteworthy by our editorial team; Partner Posts, originally published by our partners elsewhere; and Future Policy Leaders, pieces by promising young scholars and policy thinkers. Content can be filtered by genre and subject-specific criteria and is updated often. Gradually we will be adding older Recommended Reads and Partner Posts dating back as far as 2011.
Competing Views on Russia

Steve Witkoff on Russia and Ukraine

Dasha Zhukauskaite, RM Staff March 12, 2025 RM Exclusives
Witkoff, a New York real estate magnate and long-time friend of Donald Trump, was initially appointed to serve as Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, but is now playing a key role in ending the war in Ukraine.
book review

Understanding Paradigm Shifts in US Foreign Policy: From Engaging the Russia-We-Want to Containing the Russia-We-Have

Peter Rutland February 13, 2025 RM Exclusives
David McCourt's "The End of Engagement," which analyzes the “knowledge communities” shaping U.S. policy toward China and Russia, comes at an opportune time.
interview

Ukraine: Harvard Political Scientist Graham Allison Believes in a Ceasefire Through Donald Trump

Michael Brächer February 04, 2025 Recommended Reads
Der Spiegel interviews Harvard's Graham Allison on the potential path to peace for Ukraine and Russia under Donald Trump's hand.
article

Toward a New Russia Policy: An Agenda for the Trump Administration

Thomas Graham January 17, 2025 Recommended Reads
With U.S.-Russian relations at their most strained since the Cold War, reducing the risk of direct military confrontation and stabilizing global security, the U.S. must balance firm deterrence with strategic diplomacy to turn a bitter rivalry into competitive coexistence.
article

America’s Polarization and the Challenges of Confronting Russia

Gordon M. Friedrichs January 09, 2025 RM Exclusives
Polarization represents not just an internal challenge but a structural constraint with profound implications for American foreign policy, particularly toward Russia.
article

Scenarios for the Future of US-Russia Strategic Stability and Arms Control: Results From a Track II Dialogue

Samuel Charap, Julia Masterson, John J. Drennan January 09, 2025 Partner Posts
As U.S.-Russia tensions deepen, nongovernmental experts have developed arms control options, hoping their joint analytical effort can inform future government actions, despite the severe divide between the two nations.
article

The China-Russia Relationship and Threats to Vital US Interests

Patricia M. Kim, Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, Angela Stent, Tara Varma December 16, 2024 Partner Posts
China’s support for Russia fuels its war in Ukraine, while their growing alignment challenges U.S. leadership and the rules-based international order. Despite mistrust and differing interests, the U.S. must counter their partnership by addressing shared goals, limiting Beijing’s support for Moscow, and competing effectively in the Global South.
Competing Views on Russia

Marco Rubio on Russia and Ukraine

Simon Saradzhyan, Angelina Flood November 15, 2024 RM Exclusives
Donald Trump has tapped the Florida senator for the position of Secretary of State. Check out our compilation of Rubio's views on Russia, Ukraine and more.
article

The U.S. Shouldn’t Dismiss BRICS Challenge

Alexander Gabuev, Oliver Stuenkel October 29, 2024 Partner Posts
While often dismissed, BRICS nations are working to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar and gain strategic flexibility, highlighting waning U.S. dominance. To counter this, the U.S. should address its financial stability and collaborate with nations like India and Brazil to make the current global order more inclusive and resilient.
Competing Views on Russia

Trump on Russia: In His Own Words

RM Staff October 10, 2024 RM Exclusives
From 2016 to 2024, check out our newly updated compilation of Donald Trump's views on Russia, Ukraine, nuclear arms and much more.
explainer

How Western Curbs on Russian Oil Revenue Benefit China

Paul Saunders, Harry Stevens October 03, 2024 RM Exclusives
Western attempts to hit Russia's oil and gas industry in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine have saved China nearly $16 billion between March 2022 and June 2024 by purchasing Russia’s oil and fuel exports at below-market prices.
article

In Search of a Harris Foreign Policy

Thomas Graham September 11, 2024 RM Exclusives
What principles would guide Kamala Harris's foreign policy decision-making—particularly on Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia—and what issues would she prioritize, if elected president? On those and related questions she has offered little grist for reflection.
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