
Max Bergmann is the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Prior to joining CSIS he was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, where he focused on Europe, Russia, and U.S. security cooperation. From 2011 to 2017, he served in the U.S. Department of State in a number of different positions, including as a member of the secretary of state’s policy planning staff, where he focused on political-military affairs and nonproliferation; special assistant to the undersecretary for arms control and international security; speechwriter to then secretary of state John Kerry; and senior adviser to the assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs. Before serving in the State Department, Bergmann worked at the Center for American Progress as a military and nonproliferation policy analyst and at the National Security Network as the deputy policy director. Bergmann holds a master’s degree in comparative politics from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Bates College. His recent commentary has been published in outlets such as Politico (March 2022, August 2022), the Washington Post, Foreign Affairs, and Sasakawa USA.
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In the News
Barely Noting War in Public, Putin Acts Like Time Is on His Side
Max Bergmann in The New York Times — May 27, 2023
How realistic is European strategic autonomy?
Max Bergmann in The Hundred — May 23, 2023
'You're not powerless': CIA releases new video to recruit Russian spies
Max Bergmann in The World — May 19, 2023
The G-7 is tightening up economic sanctions on Russia for its war on Ukraine
Max Bergmann in NPR — May 18, 2023
With a new tranche of weapons, Ukraine has much of what it needs for a counteroffensive, analysts say.
Max Bergmann in The New York Times — May 15, 2023
How well prepared is Ukraine for its expected counteroffensive?
Max Bergmann in NPR — May 15, 2023
Why Biden’s return to Ireland, his ancestral homeland, may not be a storybook trip
Max Bergmann in POLITICO — April 11, 2023
In Ireland, Biden is on a diplomatic and deeply personal mission
Max Bergmann in NPR — April 11, 2023
All content by Max Bergmann
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Ahead of the NATO Summit: Burden Sharing to Responsibility Sharing
Event by Daniel Fata , Max Bergmann , and Donatienne Ruy — June 13, 2023
Russia's Frozen Reserves with Martin Sandbu
Podcast Episode by Max Bergmann , Maria Snegovaya , and Federico Steinberg — June 1, 2023

Book Talk: "Russia's War" with Jade McGlynn
Event by Max Bergmann , Maria Snegovaya , Michael Kimmage , and Jade McGlynn — May 25, 2023
The European Union’s Enlargement Conundrum
Report by Max Bergmann , Otto Svendsen , and Sissy Martinez — May 25, 2023
Meta Fined for Privacy Breaches, Recapping Turkish Elections, and a Conversation with Dan Keleman
Podcast Episode by Max Bergmann , Donatienne Ruy , and R. Daniel Kelemen — May 25, 2023

Ukraine's Coming Counteroffensive
Podcast Episode by Max Bergmann , Maria Snegovaya , and Michael Kimmage — May 18, 2023

Allied Burden Sharing in Ukraine
Event by Max Bergmann , Ana Palacio , Eka Tkeshelashvili , Ambassador Emily Haber , Ambassador Marek Magierowski , Ambassador Karen Pierce , and Stavros Lambrinidis — May 17, 2023
Tories Battered in UK Local Elections, A Rant about the Stability and Growth Pact, and a Conversation with Jude Blanchette
Podcast Episode by Max Bergmann , Donatienne Ruy , and Jude Blanchette — May 11, 2023

Poland and Hungary Block Ukrainian Grain, Greek Democracy in Decline, and a Turkey Election Preview with Ilke Toygür
Podcast Episode by Max Bergmann , Donatienne Ruy , and Ilke Toygür — April 27, 2023

Sanctions and Russia's Defense Industry
Podcast Episode by Max Bergmann and Maria Snegovaya — April 20, 2023
