Eastern Europe

The implosion of the Soviet Union sparked a massive evolution for the 15 former republics, which have undergone their own transition to become independent states. While the Baltic states have completed a successful transition to open societies and market economies, many others in Eastern Europe continue to face immense obstacles or democratic backsliding. CSIS analysis sheds light on the internal dynamics in these states, their intra-regional relationships, their broader foreign and security policies, and the implications of their choices and circumstances for their neighbors, the United States, and the rest of the world.

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Dr. Nina Khrushcheva: History, Evolution, and a View from Inside Russia

Max and Maria talk with Dr. Nina Khrushcheva about her new book on Nikita Khrushchev and her rare firsthand insights from traveling to Russia, offering a unique view of its shifting politics and culture.

Podcast Episode by Max Bergmann, Maria Snegovaya, and Nina Khrushcheva — June 11, 2026

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Experts

Max Bergmann

Max Bergmann

Director, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and Stuart Center
Seth G. Jones

Seth G. Jones

President, Defense and Security Department; Harold Brown Chair
Jerry McGinn

Jerry McGinn

Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department
Alek Jovovic

Alek Jovovic

Deputy Director, Center for the Industrial Base and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department

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Russian Roulette

Dr. Nina Khrushcheva: History, Evolution, and a View from Inside Russia

Max and Maria talk with Dr. Nina Khrushcheva about her new book on Nikita Khrushchev and her rare firsthand insights from traveling to Russia, offering a unique view of its shifting politics and culture.

Podcast Episode by Max Bergmann, Maria Snegovaya, and Nina Khrushcheva — June 11, 2026

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Russian Roulette

War, Inflation, and Putin's Paranoia: has Russian Public Opinion Begun to Shift?

Max and Maria welcome back Dr. Sam Greene, professor of Russian Politics at King's College London, to discuss the state of Russian public opinion today, and whether domestic conditions have begun change given the state of the economy, war, and ⁠reports⁠ of increasing paranoia in the Kremlin. 

Podcast Episode by Max Bergmann, Maria Snegovaya, and Dr. Sam Greene — May 14, 2026

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Hungary After Orbán: The Hard Road Back to Democracy

The road back to democracy from authoritarianism is a difficult one, filled with fits and starts that thwart even the best attempts; Hungary holds some lessons for others trying to walk that path back to democracy.

Commentary by Andrew Friedman and Donatienne Ruy — April 27, 2026

The AI Policy Podcast

Unpacking Russian Military AI with Kateryna Bondar

In this episode, we are joined by Wadhwani AI Center fellow Kateryna Bondar to discuss her recent reports on Russia's military AI, "How Russia Is Building a Sovereign Drone Ecosystem for AI-Driven Autonomy" and "How Russia Is Reshaping Command and Control for AI-Enabled Warfare."

Podcast Episode by Gregory C. Allen and Kateryna Bondar — April 14, 2026

Photo: CSIS
State of Play

Will Orban’s Defeat Transform Europe?

Donatienne Ruy joins Will to discuss Péter Magyar’s landslide victory and if this will be a game changer for Europe.

Podcast Episode by Will Todman and Donatienne Ruy — April 13, 2026

Photo: iLab/CSIS

North Korea’s Ties With Belarus: Limited But Not Insignificant

Time will tell as to whether Lukashenko will play any role, let alone a successful one, in reviving U.S.-North Korean diplomacy. Notwithstanding this unlikely possibility, the more important consequence of the recent elevation in Belarus-North Korea relations pertains to North Korea’s broadening of diplomatic partnerships. 

Newsletter by Edward Howell — April 6, 2026