Beyond the Battlefield: Global Implications of Russia’s War in Ukraine

Overview

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has altered geopolitics, initiating significant military-security, political, and economic changes in different parts of the world, including in Europe, Eurasia, and the United States, as well as across developing economies. Beyond the Battlefield: Global Implications of Russia's War in Ukraine will break down how the February 2022 invasion and concomitant sanctions have been altering national and regional security in Russia, on the European continent, and the United States. The course will also explore implications of the war in Africa and the Indo-Pacific, where relations with Russia and the United States have been more equivocal.

You will engage with top regional, defense, and security experts in a two-day seminar, first covering historical and ideological bases behind Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to initiate a full-scale invasion of Ukraine before a comprehensive dive into political, economic, defense, and security implications of the invasion and the U.S.-led sanctions regime on Russia, the transatlantic community, and other parts of the world. Finally, you will engage in a mapping exercise on potential future developments and outcomes of the war and a path forward for Russia, Ukraine, and the West in a post-invasion world. We invite you to join us in person or virtually for this upcoming course.

Curriculum

Day 1

Seminars:

• How We Got Here

This session will cover the ideological and historical conditions that led to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, including President Putin’s perceptions of Ukraine and the West and the implications of the 2014 Russo-Ukrainian conflict on the ongoing invasion.

• Impact on Russia

This session will examine how the war and sanctions have impacted Russia’s economy, with a particular focus on the country’s military-industrial sector and its leadership’s ability to continue the war effort. Participants will also learn more about regime stability questions inside of Russia, as well as the attitudes of the Russian elite and the general public toward the war.

• Implications for Transatlantic Unity

Participants will explore how the United States, EU, and NATO have responded to the invasion, including imposing financial and energy sanctions and export controls against Russia, providing financial and military assistance to Ukraine, recommitting to strengthening European defense, and reviving discussions on EU enlargement.

Case Study:

• What Went Wrong with the Invasion

The final session of day 1 will analyze strategic mistakes made by the Kremlin in planning and executing the invasion.

Additional Activities:

• Reception and off-the-record discussion with CSIS scholars.

Day 2

Seminars:

• Impact on the New “Non-Aligned” World

In this two-part session, participants will learn how countries besides the transatlantic community and U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific, including India and China, have reacted to the war in Ukraine given its adverse impact on their interests. This session will also explore how the West can manage a strengthened Russo-Chinese alliance in the Indo-Pacific, as well as in Africa.

• Implications for the U.S. Defense Sector

This session will examine how the invasion has contributed to the development of the current U.S. defense posture in Europe, and its impact on the U.S. military industrial base. Participants will learn about the challenges facing the U.S. effort to provide security assistance to Ukraine, and the different proposals for expanding and strengthening U.S. defense-industrial capacity.

Interactive Exercises:

• Mapping the Path Forward

The final session of the course will look at how the war in Ukraine may continue throughout 2023 and the different scenarios that could potentially lead to the war’s resolution. It will also assess how bilateral and multilateral relations between Ukraine, Russia, Western states, and countries outside of these alliances may develop after the current level of fighting has ceased.

How to Register

The online application includes a short entry form, statement of interest, brief bio, and resume. Entries will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please note that spaces are limited and the course may fill before the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.