Eastern Europe

Ashford on NPR: How NATO’s eastward expansion set the stage for the standoff in Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

On February 17, Emma Ashford was featured on NPR’s Here and Now, discussing the history behind the crisis in Ukraine. “The current standoff on the Ukrainian border began when Russian President Vladimir Putin provoked fears of an invasion, but the roots of the crisis go back decades. “Russia and the West have been at odds about the […]

Kroenig and Ashford debate if there is a diplomatic offramp in Ukraine

On February 10, Foreign Policy published a biweekly column featuring Scowcroft Center deputy director Matthew Kroenig and New American Engagement Initiative senior fellow Emma Ashford assessing the latest news in international affairs. In their latest column, they discuss NATO allies’ varied responses to the Russia-Ukraine crisis, and debate if a peaceful resolution is possible.

Cooper in Inkstick: Planning for a Ukrainian refugee crisis

By Atlantic Council

On February 11, Cooper was published in Inkstick advocating for the creation of a comprehensive Ukrainian refugee strategy. In light of the potential for millions of Ukrainians to become refugees if war breaks out, Cooper argues that the West needs to be ready to assist with humanitarian aid. “Refugee resettlement is a complex process, particularly […]

Ashford at the Marine Corps University: Rapid wargaming for crises

By Atlantic Council

On February 9, Emma Ashford joined a panel of specialists at the Marine Corps University to discuss prototype wargaming for the Ukraine crisis. “How does wargaming help when the problem is a rapidly unfolding crisis in a fluid environment, such as the Russian build-up near Ukraine, when an off-the-shelf option, or deliberately designed wargame, isn’t […]