Maria Snegovaya

Senior Fellow, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program
Maria Snegovaya

Maria Snegovaya is a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia with the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and a postdoctoral fellow in Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service. She studies Russia’s domestic and foreign policy, as well as democratic backsliding in post-communist Europe and the tactics used by Russian actors and proxies who exploit these dynamics in the region. Her analysis has been published in multiple policy and peer-reviewed journals. Her research and commentary have appeared in a number of publications such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Economist, and Foreign Policy. Throughout her career she has collaborated with multiple U.S. research centers and think tanks such as Center for a New American Security and Center for European Policy Analysis. Snegovaya holds a PhD in political science from Columbia University.

 

Programs & Projects

Areas of Expertise

When Left Moves Right

When Left Moves Right

Over the past two decades, postcommunist countries have undergone a striking shift in the electoral fortunes of their political parties: once-dominant center-left parties suffered dramatic defeats and faded from the political stage, while right-wing populist parties surged in popularity and seized power. This pattern closely paralleled developments in Western Europe and raises a critical question: were these dynamics connected? Maria Snegovaya’s latest book argues that they were, with the key link being the pro-market rebranding of the ex-communist left, fueling the rise of right-wing populism in countries where the left had embraced market reforms.

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Executive Education

Global Foresight: Preparing for Future Trends

Global Foresight: Preparing for Future Trends is Washington’s premier executive course for mid-to senior-level professionals responsible for helping their organizations identify and prepare for the global macrotrends that will drive change for the next 30 years.

Course Date: April 27, 2026
Registration Closes: April 17, 2026
Russian Roulette

How the Iran War and the Price of Oil Impact the Kremlin's Calculus

Max and Maria are joined by Hanna Notte and Janis Kluge for a deep dive on how the Iran war and turmoil in global energy markets continue to impact Russian foreign policy.

Podcast Episode by Max Bergmann, Maria Snegovaya, Hanna Notte, and janis Kluge — April 2, 2026

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Russian Roulette

Transnational Corruption in Foreign Policy Today

Max and Maria spoke with Alexander Cooley and Daniel Nexon about how authoritarian and illiberal governments leverage transnational corruption as part of their foreign policies and global strategies.

Podcast Episode by Max Bergmann, Maria Snegovaya, Daniel Nexon, and Alexander Cooley — March 20, 2026

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State of Play

Are Russia and China Benefitting from the War with Iran?

Will is joined by Bonny Lin and Maria Snegovaya to discuss both China and Russia's strategic openings and costs in the war with Iran.

Podcast Episode by Will Todman, Bonny Lin, and Maria Snegovaya — March 17, 2026

Photo: iLab/CSIS

Russia and China: Gaining from the war with Iran? | State of Play

The CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department invites you to a live episode of State of Play to explore the implications of the war with Iran for China and Russia on Monday 16 March at 4:00pm. The discussion will feature Dr. Bonny Lin, Dr. Maria Snegovaya, and Will Todman.

Event — March 16, 2026

What Is at Stake in Hungary’s Election?

Hungary’s April election could end Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule as opposition leader Peter Magyar mounts a serious challenge. The outcome will shape Hungary’s democratic trajectory and impact the European Union’s unity and policy for years to come.

Critical Questions by Donatienne Ruy and Maria Snegovaya — March 11, 2026

Russian Roulette

Eric Ciaramella on How Europe Can Arm Ukraine

Eric Ciaramella of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace returned to the show to discuss his recent article with Sophia Besch on the ways that European states can support Ukraine militarily without the involvement of the U.S. Max and Maria asked him about his piece, the funding questions behind its ideas, and Eric's overall assessment on peace negotiations with Russia.

Podcast Episode by Max Bergmann, Maria Snegovaya, and Eric Ciaramella — March 5, 2026

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Russian Roulette

Four Years of the War in Ukraine (Live Event)

Max and Maria spoke with Hanna Notte, JP Gresh, and Michael Kimmage at a live CSIS event marking the four-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Podcast Episode by CSIS Scholars — February 26, 2026

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Russian Roulette

Ukraine's Ongoing Energy Crisis

Max and Maria were joined by Andrian Prokip and Tim McDonnell to discuss the relentless Russian bombardment of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and what this means for average Ukrainians trying to survive the winter months.

Podcast Episode by Max Bergmann and Maria Snegovaya — February 12, 2026

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