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our regions in focus

Ukraine

Ukraine has moved tentatively toward an open society and market economy since independence. The country has held several democratic elections but largely failed to address state control and corruption in its economy.

Russia

Russia was the dominant republic in the former Soviet Union and took tentative steps toward an open society and market economy in the 1990s. But during the early 2000s, under leader Vladimir Putin, its direction changed.

The Caucasus

Named for the mountain range between southern Russia, and northern Turkey and Iran, the Caucasus is home to the nations of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.

Central Asia

The Central Asian Republics—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan—are located at the nexus of Russia, China, South Asia, and the Middle East.

Belarus

Before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian tendencies became clear, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, the only leader independent Belarus has ever known, was characterized as the last dictator in Europe.

Moldova

Since its independence, Moldova has sat on the divide between East and West. The Moldovan government has moved fitfully toward an open society and market economy, while Moscow has supported separatists in the region of Transnistria.

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Commentary & Analysis

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine

Working with a wide community of experts and thought-leaders, the Eurasia Center delivers cutting-edge analysis and policy recommendations.

Eurasia Center

UkraineAlert Jun 14, 2022

The future of global security will be decided in Ukraine

By Oleksii Reznikov

Western leaders must use the forthcoming NATO Summit in Madrid to regain the initiative from Putin’s Russia and define Ukraine’s role in the future of European security, writes Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov.

Conflict European Union
Eurasia Center

UkraineAlert Jun 17, 2022

Why fear of provoking Putin is the most provocative policy of all

By Alyona Getmanchuk

It is now abundantly clear that cautious policies toward Russia driven by a misguided fear of provoking Putin have in fact provoked Europe’s biggest war since the days of Hitler and Stalin, argues Alyona Getmanchuk.
Conflict Corruption

Flagship publications

Blog

UkraineAlert

UkraineAlert is a comprehensive online publication that provides regular news and analysis on developments in Ukraine’s politics, economy, civil society, and culture. UkraineAlert sources analysis and commentary from a wide-array of thought-leaders, politicians, experts, and activists from Ukraine and the global community. UkraineAlert has become a major publication in Ukraine’s news landscape and has established itself not only through its quality of content but also significant partnerships with English, Ukrainian, and Russian-language media through the country.

Learn more
Blog

BelarusAlert

BelarusAlert is a comprehensive online publication that provides regular news, commentary, and analysis on developments on Belarus’ politics, economy, civil society, and culture. The weekly column, authored by Brian Whitmore, is complemented by articles from thought-leaders, experts, and activists on a regular basis.

Learn more

Featured events

#ACFRONTPAGE

A conversation with Prime Minister of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonytė

What comes next for the Baltic states as Russia threatens Europe beyond Ukraine, and how can Lithuania continue working with its allies to support Ukrainian independence? What does Lithuania see as the challenges China poses to European states, and is Lithuania a model for combining economic security with a values-based foreign policy?
#ACFRONTPAGE

A conversation with Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak

With more room to escalate punishment on Putin’s war chest and the Kremlin elites helping to sustain Putin’s system, what does Ukraine see as the best targets for the West to maintain economic pressure? How can the US and Europe better coordinate their sanctions regimes to make a difference in the war?

The Eurasia Center regularly convenes with regional leaders and key global figures to galvanize support international support a free, prosperous, and peaceful future in Eurasia.

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Leadership

Staff

John E. Herbst

Senior Director

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Politics & Diplomacy

Staff

Melinda Haring

Deputy Director

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Civil Society

Staff

Peter Dickinson

Editor, UkraineAlert

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Civil Society

Staff

Shelby Magid

Associate Director

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Human Rights

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Experts

Fellow

Michael Bociurkiw

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

English Human Rights

Fellow

Ariel Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Politics & Diplomacy

Staff

Andrew D’Anieri

Assistant Director

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Civil Society

Fellow

Vladislav Davidzon

Nonresident Fellow

Eurasia Center

Belarus English

Staff

Peter Dickinson

Editor, UkraineAlert

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Civil Society

Fellow

Edward Fishman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Russia Economic Sanctions
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Content

UkraineAlert

Dec 1, 2022

Vladimir Putin’s Ukrainian Genocide: Nobody can claim they did not know

By Peter Dickinson

The overwhelming evidence of Russian war crimes in Ukraine together with the openly genocidal intent on display in Moscow mean nobody claim they did not know about Putin's Ukrainian Genocide, writes Peter Dickinson.

Conflict Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Nov 30, 2022

As Putin retreats in Ukraine, he is also losing Kazakhstan

By Kamila Auyezova

Putin's rapidly unraveling invasion of Ukraine is eroding Russian influence throughout the former Soviet Empire. This process of imperial retreat is nowhere more visible than in Kazakhstan, writes Kamila Auyezova.

Central Asia China
Military drone operators in eastern Ukraine

Atlantic Council Strategy Paper Series

Nov 30, 2022

Preparing for victory: A long-haul strategy to help Ukraine win the war against Russia—and secure the peace

By Stephen J. Hadley, William Taylor, John E. Herbst, Matthew Kroenig, Melinda Haring, and Jeffrey Cimmino

Ukraine’s counteroffensives, backed by expanded and accelerated US and allied support, continue to push Russian forces out of Ukrainian territory, although at a reduced rate. These hard-won successes, however, bring with them possible challenges that also must be addressed. 

Europe & Eurasia Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Nov 29, 2022

Fueling Ukraine’s fight back against Russia’s blackout blitz

By Oleksiy Chernyshov

Russia's bombing campaign of civilian infrastructure means Ukraine faces the toughest winter season in the country's 31-year independent history, writes newly appointed Naftogaz CEO Oleksiy Chernyshov.

Conflict Energy Markets & Governance

UkraineAlert

Nov 29, 2022

Former moderate Dmitry Medvedev becomes Putin’s pro-war cheerleader

By Alexander Motyl, Dennis Soltys

Once seen in the West as a source of hope for better ties with Russia, former president Dmitry Medvedev has emerged since February 2022 as a pro-war cheerleader who regularly demonizes Ukraine on social media.

Conflict Disinformation

AC Selects

Nov 28, 2022

AC Selects: China’s authoritarianism, Ukraine’s energy infrastructure & COP27

Related events

Africa China

UkraineAlert

Nov 25, 2022

The West must urgently overcome its fear of provoking Putin

By Daniel Bilak

Western leaders insist they will stand with Ukraine until Russia's invasion is defeated but fear of provoking Putin continues to constrain the democratic world's response to a war that has already cost tens of thousands of lives.

Conflict Economic Sanctions

UkraineAlert

Nov 23, 2022

Lessons from the Cuban Missile Crisis: Putin is no Khrushchev

By Harlan Ullman

The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis may offer some useful insights as Western leaders seek the right response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent nuclear saber-rattling over Ukraine, writes Harlan Ullman.

Conflict Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Nov 22, 2022

Putin’s peace ploy is a ruse to rearm

By Dennis Soltys

Russia is currently calling for a return to the negotiating table but Ukrainian leaders are convinced Vladimir Putin is merely seeking to buy time in order to regroup and rearm before the next phase of his invasion.

Conflict Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Nov 22, 2022

Ukraine must be allowed to strike back against targets inside Russia

By Ira Straus

In order to defeat Putin and end the war, Ukraine must be allowed to strike back inside Russia. At present, this is not possible due to restrictions imposed by Ukraine's overly cautious international allies, writes Ira Straus.

Arms Control Conflict
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Events

Online Event Wed, December 7, 2022 • 10:30 am ET

Prosecuting the crime of aggression in Ukraine
Europe & Eurasia Human Rights International Norms International Organizations