Otto Svendsen

Associate Fellow, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program
Otto Svendsen

Otto Svendsen is an associate fellow with the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he provides research and analysis on political, economic, and security developments in Europe. Prior to joining CSIS, Otto was affiliated with Albright Stonebridge Group, the Atlantic Council, and the National Democratic Institute. He holds an MSc in international relations from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and a BSc in international business from Copenhagen Business School.

 

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Europe Needs an ASAP Program for Air Defense

The U.S.-Iran war has exposed the fragility of Western air defense stockpiles. Europe must launch a crash program to scale up its own missile manufacturing before supply shortages leave Ukraine and the continent exposed.

Brief by Max Bergmann, Otto Svendsen, and Jonathan Burchell — March 23, 2026

How Europe Can Build Ukraine’s Future Force

As U.S. military aid to Ukraine winds down, Europe must move beyond crisis response to lead Ukraine's long-term defense—establishing strategic coherence, hedging against U.S. disengagement, defining Ukraine's future force, and securing sustainable financing.

Commentary by Astrid Chevreuil, Otto Svendsen, and Max Bergmann — February 27, 2026

Russia-Ukraine War in 10 Charts

Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has reshaped European security, global markets, and the balance of power. These 10 charts break down the battlefield, economic strain, military aid shifts, reconstruction costs, and what comes next.

Commentary by CSIS Scholars — February 24, 2026

Northern Connections: The European Arctic by 2035

As the rules-based order unravels in the European Arctic, experts examine three critical dimensions shaping the region by 2035: Europe's strategic vision, Greenland's future, and the role of military exercises in maintaining stability.

Report by CSIS Scholars — February 10, 2026

How Europe Can Defend Itself with Less America

A potential U.S. force posture reduction in Europe will leave the continent vulnerable to further Russian aggression. Europe needs a bold action plan to mitigate capability gaps and ensure deterrence of Russia with limited U.S. involvement.

Report by Max Bergmann and Otto Svendsen — October 8, 2025

Audio Briefs

Seizing Greenland Is Worse Than a Bad Deal

An audio version of “Seizing Greenland Is Worse Than a Bad Deal,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Otto Svendsen. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Otto Svendsen — January 22, 2025

Audio Briefs

Seizing Greenland Is Worse Than a Bad Deal

Taking Greenland through force or coercion would not just be a bad deal for the United States—it could become a legacy-defining unforced error for the Trump administration.

Commentary by Otto Svendsen — January 21, 2025