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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

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John E. Herbst

Senior Director

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Politics & Diplomacy

Staff

Shelby Magid

Deputy Director

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Human Rights

Staff

Peter Dickinson

Editor, UkraineAlert

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Civil Society

Staff

Andrew D’Anieri

Assistant Director

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Political Reform

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Experts

Fellow

Edward Fishman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Russia Economic Sanctions

Fellow

Diane Francis

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Ukraine International Markets

Fellow

Daniel Fried

Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative Eurasia Center

Eastern Europe Democratic Transitions

Fellow

Alyona Getmanchuk

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

English Europe & Eurasia

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Agnia Grigas

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Eastern Europe Energy Markets & Governance

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Melinda Haring

Eurasia Center

Ukraine Civil Society
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Content

UkraineAlert

Mar 19, 2023

Putin the Pariah: War crimes arrest warrant deepens Russia’s isolation

By Anders Åslund

The ICC decision to indict Putin for war crimes is a highly consequential step that will deepen Russia’s international isolation while weakening Putin’s personal position both at home and abroad, writes Anders Åslund.

Conflict Human Rights

UkraineAlert

Mar 19, 2023

ICC arrest warrant for Putin is a step toward ending Russian impunity

By Danielle Johnson

The International Criminal Court decision to issue an arrest warrant for Putin over his alleged role in the deportation of Ukrainian children has sparked a lively debate. Is the move truly historic or merely symbolic?

Conflict Human Rights

UkraineAlert

Mar 16, 2023

Poland defies Putin with landmark decision to give Ukraine fighter jets

By Peter Dickinson

Poland is set to become the first Western nation to supply Ukraine with fighter jets, Polish President Andrzej Duda has confirmed. Duda said Ukraine would receive four Polish Soviet-era MiG-29 jets “in the next few days.”

Conflict Missile Defense

UkraineAlert

Mar 15, 2023

Taiwan supports Ukraine and studies country’s response to Russian invasion

By Kira Rudik

Taiwan has emerged over the past year as one of Ukraine's strongest supporters in Asia with many Taiwanese viewing the Ukrainian wartime experience as a model for their own potential confrontation with China.

China Civil Society

UkraineAlert

Mar 14, 2023

Ukraine must do more to counter Russian narratives in the Global South

By Mitchell Polman

While Ukraine enjoys overwhelming support from the West, the Global South remains reluctant to oppose or even criticize Russia's ongoing invasion. Ukraine must do more to influence opinion in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Africa Conflict

UkraineAlert

Mar 14, 2023

Putin failed to freeze Europe but Russia’s energy war will continue

By Aura Sabadus

Vladimir Putin's plan to freeze Europe into submission during the winter season failed but there is no room for complacency as Russia still sees gas and oil exports as key weapons in its campaign to isolate and destroy Ukraine.

China Conflict

UkraineAlert

Mar 9, 2023

Will morale prove the decisive factor in the Russian invasion of Ukraine?

By Peter Dickinson

Putin is preparing for a long war in Ukraine and still believes he can outlast the West, but mounting signs of demoralization among mobilized Russian soldiers may pose a serious threat to the success of his invasion, writes Peter Dickinson.

Civil Society Conflict

UkraineAlert

Mar 9, 2023

Calls to appease Putin in Ukraine ignore the lessons of history

By Arman Mahmoudian

While the desire for peace in Ukraine is perfectly understandable, mounting calls to appease Putin by handing him a partial victory ignore the lessons of history and would almost certainly lead to more war.

Belarus Central Asia

UkraineAlert

Mar 8, 2023

Ukrainians will never surrender. How long can they count on the West?

By Serhiy Prytula

Ukraine's remarkable resistance during the first days of the Russian invasion convinced the democratic world to back the country but with Putin now preparing for a long war, continued Western resolve is vital writes Serhiy Prytula.

Civil Society Conflict

UkraineAlert

Mar 6, 2023

How Putin’s fear of democracy convinced him to invade Ukraine

By Michael John Williams

Putin's decision to launch the full-scale invasion of Ukraine was rooted in his longstanding fear that the emergence of a democratic Ukraine could serve as a catalyst for the collapse of his own autocratic regime.

Civil Society Conflict
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Events

Online Event Tue, March 21, 2023 • 11:00 am ET

Bakhmut and beyond: Can Ukraine force Russia back this spring?
Europe & Eurasia NATO Security & Defense Ukraine
Online Event Wed, March 22, 2023 • 4:00 pm ET

Freeing Belarus from tyranny: A conversation with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
Belarus Civil Society Democratic Transitions Eastern Europe