CEPA’s online journal covering critical topics on the foreign policy docket across Europe and North America.
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September 22, 2026
Narrative Failure: Russia and the West have a Storytelling Problem
Persuasion is most effective when there’s a compelling story, but after four and a half years of full-scale war, neither Moscow nor Kyiv has produced a clear narrative of the conflict or how it might end.
September 22, 2026
Russian Fertilizer: Nourishing the Roots of War
A lack of sanctions means the Russian fertilizer industry has had a very good war. That needs to change.
September 21, 2026
Ukraine’s War Widows Fight for Compensation
Disputes over whether soldiers died “defending the motherland” are preventing Ukrainian widows and other relatives from receiving vital compensation.
September 18, 2026
Russia’s Rigged Elections Still Serve a Purpose
Putin’s regime fixes election outcomes, but relies on the real numbers to assess resistance.
September 18, 2026
Russia’s Election Campaign Puts Governors on the Hook
The Kremlin devolves vote fixing and coerced turnout to the leaders of its regions. Expectations are high and failure is punished.
September 18, 2026
The Big Day Looms for Putin’s Election Fixers
Why does the Russian regime bother with elections? In part because it has become an imperative for a bureaucracy to maintain its influence and wealth.
September 18, 2026
Kremlin Vote-Fakers Crush the Liberals
The Yabloko party seemed suddenly popular as Duma elections approached. This rattled the Kremlin and brought a familiar despotic response.
September 18, 2026
How to Defeat Russia’s Shadow War
The Kremlin-directed attacks on Europe are a sign of weakness. Europe must craft a robust new response to raise the pressure on Russia.
September 16, 2026
Ukraine Advances: The Tank Isn’t Finished Yet
The death of the tank and its armored companions has been overstated. Ukraine is demonstrating they still have a part to play.
September 16, 2026
Russia’s Neighbors Battle Oil Addiction
Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s oil refineries have triggered shortages across neighboring countries which have depended on Moscow for decades.
September 15, 2026
On a Train Under Russian Attack
I was on a train heading for Poland when Russian drones attacked, writes CEPA Fellow Mitzi Perdue. The strikes came shortly after a Kremlin threat to target railroads carrying foreign visitors.
September 15, 2026
German Car Crisis: A Defense Bonanza?
Excess automotive capacity must be repurposed for defense production.
September 14, 2026
Germany: Russia’s Enemy No. 1
Russia’s latest assault on Europe is targeted at its most determined opponents. Governments are still unsure how to respond.
September 14, 2026
Armenia Battles to Buy Time
Putin is pressuring Armenia to make difficult decisions before it loses the ability to pressure a pro-Western government.
September 14, 2026
Kremlin Prepares to Cross the Final Red Line
The majority of Russians oppose forced mobilization to the war in Ukraine, but the Kremlin has been preparing the ground to make it happen.
September 11, 2026
Armenia’s Relations With Russia? Worsening
No compromise between the sides is expected and Russian ultimatums remain in place.
September 10, 2026
Dangerous Partners: The Russia-China Military Embrace
Russo-Chinese missile and space cooperation is deeply concerning for Western militaries, and may involve secret protocols that we can only guess at.
September 10, 2026
NATO Must Match Russia’s Long-Range Missile Arsenal
NATO needs to step-up production and procurement of long-range missiles to provide credible deterrence to Moscow’s aggression.
September 9, 2026
Foreign-Built US Warships? It Might Work
The US needs imaginative new approaches to warship building. The administration is now moving in a potentially ingenious direction.
September 9, 2026
Ukraine Rethinks Mine Clearance for a New Age
De-mining techniques developed for previous generations are no longer suitable for modern devices. Ukraine is again at the forefront of change.
September 8, 2026
No Magic Bullet to End Russian Sabotage
Western countries still hope for a simple response to the Kremlin’s rising wave of destruction. Instead, the answer lies in the lessons of the Cold War.
September 8, 2026
The Quiet Battle Against Russia’s Shadow Fleet
Ukraine’s dramatic attacks on Black Sea shipping have grabbed headlines, but a more subtle campaign against Russia’s shadow fleet is underway.
September 4, 2026
Europe and US Need a Plan for Economic Friendly Fire
New US sanctions legislation is on a collision course with the European Union’s anti-coercion rules. Sensitivity is needed on both sides to avoid a damaging clash of allies.
September 4, 2026
Blasted Kyiv Adapts to Russia’s Blitz
Kyiv is now under daily attack, with some raids lasting for hours. Residents are sick of the often-repeated word resilient, but there’s no intention of giving up.
September 4, 2026
Can Russian Meddling Swing France’s Presidential Election?
Russian-linked information manipulation has targeted three of France’s most pro-Ukrainian candidates ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Will it work?
September 3, 2026
Strengthening Signals of Imminent Russian Mobilization
Russia cannot recruit sufficient soldiers for its war in Ukraine. Despite official denials, there is growing evidence another round of forced mobilization is on the way.
September 3, 2026
Ukraine Battles the Russian Satellite Menace
The Kremlin’s urgent efforts to achieve satellite sovereignty is extremely dangerous for Ukraine. Kyiv and its allies must disrupt the program.
September 2, 2026
Europe’s Spies: Fighting as a Team
Britain and France lead Europe’s spy league table, but smaller agencies have important capabilities and must be included on the continent’s intelligence team sheet.
August 27, 2026
Lukashenka’s ‘Capitulation’ to Zelenskyy’s Ultimatum
There was more to the Belarusian autocrat’s climbdown to Ukraine than met the eye. And repeating the trick would be extremely unwise.
August 27, 2026
Trump’s Route Begins to Re-Make the South Caucasus
The project unites the common interest of the participating states.