Sergey Radchenko
@radchenko.bsky.social
Historian of the Cold War and after. Wilson E. Schmidt Distinguished Professor, Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs, Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies. The author of “To Run the World.”
Pinned
I will soon be starting a new academic project: a history of the war between Russia and Ukraine. I am to have the book published by 2032 (10th anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion).
So, I went through the U.S. plan on Ukraine. Here I offer a point-by-point analysis: profradchenko.substack.com/p/the-us-pla....
The U.S. plan: an analysis
I work through the 28 points explaining the underlying issues
profradchenko.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:33 PM
So, I went through the U.S. plan on Ukraine. Here I offer a point-by-point analysis: profradchenko.substack.com/p/the-us-pla....
On BBC this morning, with Catherine Barnard (Cambridge), and our wonderful host Julian Worricker. Talking about politics, sports, literature, art, and love.
November 1, 2025 at 10:22 AM
On BBC this morning, with Catherine Barnard (Cambridge), and our wonderful host Julian Worricker. Talking about politics, sports, literature, art, and love.
Reposted by Sergey Radchenko
If you’re in Italy, I’ll be doing three presentations there next week.
On Monday October 27, I’ll do a book talk on The Party’s Interests Come First: the Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping in Milan at Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
aseri.unicatt.it/aseri-2025-t...
On Monday October 27, I’ll do a book talk on The Party’s Interests Come First: the Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping in Milan at Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
aseri.unicatt.it/aseri-2025-t...
The Party's Interests Come First | Graduate School ASERI
aseri.unicatt.it
October 24, 2025 at 3:37 PM
If you’re in Italy, I’ll be doing three presentations there next week.
On Monday October 27, I’ll do a book talk on The Party’s Interests Come First: the Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping in Milan at Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
aseri.unicatt.it/aseri-2025-t...
On Monday October 27, I’ll do a book talk on The Party’s Interests Come First: the Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping in Milan at Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
aseri.unicatt.it/aseri-2025-t...
What will make Russia a "contented" power? And is the price worth paying? open.substack.com/pub/profradc...
What will make Russia a "contented" power? And is the price worth paying?
An interesting discussion from the mid-1990s.
open.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:58 AM
What will make Russia a "contented" power? And is the price worth paying? open.substack.com/pub/profradc...
Running the world *together* with the US? open.substack.com/pub/profradc.... I explore an interesting idea that Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev presented to the Americans in 1994, and why he expected the United States to help Russia in rebuilding its sphere of influence.
Running the world *together* with the US?
The historical origins of Russia's resentment (from newly declassified documents).
open.substack.com
October 11, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Running the world *together* with the US? open.substack.com/pub/profradc.... I explore an interesting idea that Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev presented to the Americans in 1994, and why he expected the United States to help Russia in rebuilding its sphere of influence.
Honored to interview President Yushchenko for my forthcoming book on the Russia-Ukraine war. It's important to understand the historical context of the Russian invasion. If we start in 2022, we risk missing out on the essential.
October 5, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Honored to interview President Yushchenko for my forthcoming book on the Russia-Ukraine war. It's important to understand the historical context of the Russian invasion. If we start in 2022, we risk missing out on the essential.
Holy smoke. This is something else: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o.... If you read anything today, read this. Just ordered the book.
‘I’m leaving,’ Trump said. ‘There’s no reason to be here any more’: inside the meeting that brought Nato to the brink
Former secretary general Jens Stoltenberg recalls the rollercoaster ride of dealing with Donald Trump – and how close the US president brought the alliance to the point of collapse
www.theguardian.com
October 5, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Holy smoke. This is something else: www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o.... If you read anything today, read this. Just ordered the book.
Together with my brilliant RA Peter Sies (SAIS-2024) (R) had a very candid, interesting meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C). This is all part of my big project on the history of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which will eventually lead to a very big book.
October 2, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Together with my brilliant RA Peter Sies (SAIS-2024) (R) had a very candid, interesting meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C). This is all part of my big project on the history of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which will eventually lead to a very big book.
I have a new piece with The Guardian where I look into the history of aerial confrontations going back to the Cold War. I argue that intruding Russian aircraft must be shot down as a prophylactic measure. There will not be a nuclear war. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Russia’s provocations are menacing Nato. The cold war shows how it needs to respond | Sergey Radchenko
Despite the cost of shooting down fighter jets and drones, small skirmishes remind both sides of the dangers of escalation, says academic Sergey Radchenko
www.theguardian.com
September 29, 2025 at 2:48 PM
I have a new piece with The Guardian where I look into the history of aerial confrontations going back to the Cold War. I argue that intruding Russian aircraft must be shot down as a prophylactic measure. There will not be a nuclear war. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Karaganov on Ukraine. A crazy document from August 1991. Speaking of the long roots of the current conflict. open.substack.com/pub/profradc...
Karaganov on Ukraine.
A long-standing obsession.
open.substack.com
September 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Karaganov on Ukraine. A crazy document from August 1991. Speaking of the long roots of the current conflict. open.substack.com/pub/profradc...
Reposted by Sergey Radchenko
#OpEd It is increasingly obvious that Europe, Ukraine, and Russia will be the main losers of this war. Trump's America is willing to let that happen, warns Sergey Radchenko.
The Real Losers of Russia’s War: Ukraine, Europe and Russia Itself - The Moscow Times
Opinion | United States President Donald Trump has a remarkable ability to be appear differently to different people.
www.themoscowtimes.com
September 26, 2025 at 2:55 PM
#OpEd It is increasingly obvious that Europe, Ukraine, and Russia will be the main losers of this war. Trump's America is willing to let that happen, warns Sergey Radchenko.
Reposted by Sergey Radchenko
On Substack, @radchenko.bsky.social recaps yesterday's UNSC debate, noting how Russian Deputy Rep Dmitry Polyansky trolled creatively by quoting JD Vance. Radchenko gives high marks to Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski's WWI allusions and no-nonsense threat to fire on future fighters.
You have been warned.
Take-aways from the latest UNSC session.
open.substack.com
September 23, 2025 at 1:21 PM
On Substack, @radchenko.bsky.social recaps yesterday's UNSC debate, noting how Russian Deputy Rep Dmitry Polyansky trolled creatively by quoting JD Vance. Radchenko gives high marks to Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski's WWI allusions and no-nonsense threat to fire on future fighters.
"You have been warned." Take-aways form the latest UNSC session. open.substack.com/pub/profradc.... I really had fun writing this. Enjoy! [Free access].
You have been warned.
Take-aways from the latest UNSC session.
open.substack.com
September 23, 2025 at 5:09 AM
"You have been warned." Take-aways form the latest UNSC session. open.substack.com/pub/profradc.... I really had fun writing this. Enjoy! [Free access].
The correct response to Russian fighters overflying NATO territory is *obviously* to shoot them down. The reason why this is important is good old credibility. You don't do it now, you signal to the other side that you are afraid; therefore, they will do it again and again.
September 20, 2025 at 8:18 AM
The correct response to Russian fighters overflying NATO territory is *obviously* to shoot them down. The reason why this is important is good old credibility. You don't do it now, you signal to the other side that you are afraid; therefore, they will do it again and again.
19th time lucky. open.substack.com/pub/profradc.... I go over the 19th EU sanctions package to see if it's the real game changer we all hope it is (spoiler: it isn't).
19th time lucky.
Proposed EU sanctions and the limits of European policy.
open.substack.com
September 20, 2025 at 7:59 AM
19th time lucky. open.substack.com/pub/profradc.... I go over the 19th EU sanctions package to see if it's the real game changer we all hope it is (spoiler: it isn't).
When you slide into fascism, is there a sign at the bottom that says: "Welcome to FASCISM. You have arrived"? Asking for a friend.
September 19, 2025 at 4:57 AM
When you slide into fascism, is there a sign at the bottom that says: "Welcome to FASCISM. You have arrived"? Asking for a friend.
Reposted by Sergey Radchenko
👤 @radchenko.bsky.social on China’s financial backing of Russia:
“These reports suggest a new level of assertiveness on the part of the Chinese, an almost brazen willingness to deal with major Russian state entities despite sanctions risks.”
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
“These reports suggest a new level of assertiveness on the part of the Chinese, an almost brazen willingness to deal with major Russian state entities despite sanctions risks.”
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
China and Russia sign more deals, but Beijing keeps the upper hand
Russia and China deepened their “no limits” friendship, but Vladimir Putin didn’t get everything he wanted, underscoring his junior status in the partnership.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 17, 2025 at 7:13 PM
👤 @radchenko.bsky.social on China’s financial backing of Russia:
“These reports suggest a new level of assertiveness on the part of the Chinese, an almost brazen willingness to deal with major Russian state entities despite sanctions risks.”
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
“These reports suggest a new level of assertiveness on the part of the Chinese, an almost brazen willingness to deal with major Russian state entities despite sanctions risks.”
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Reposted by Sergey Radchenko
Russia is escalating exactly as predicted; we are still reacting. The EU needs a Russia strategy. Much more to do, but here’s a start.
⬇️ w/ @radchenko.bsky.social
⬇️ w/ @radchenko.bsky.social
“If Europe wants to help shape Russia, it must start now,” argue Veronica Anghel and Sergey Radchenko. “Otherwise, Russian drones over Poland and Romania may be a harbinger of a far more troubling future to come.”
Europe’s Delayed Reckoning With Russia
A plan to beat the Kremlin on its own terms.
fam.ag
September 17, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Russia is escalating exactly as predicted; we are still reacting. The EU needs a Russia strategy. Much more to do, but here’s a start.
⬇️ w/ @radchenko.bsky.social
⬇️ w/ @radchenko.bsky.social
Veronica Anghel and yours truly have a piece in Foreign Affairs on Europe's harebrained policy towards Russia. foreignaffairs.com/russia/europ.... Some key points:
1) Europe does not have a Russian strategy. In fact, it seems Europe cannot even think strategically.
1) Europe does not have a Russian strategy. In fact, it seems Europe cannot even think strategically.
Europe’s Delayed Reckoning With Russia
A plan to beat the Kremlin on its own terms.
foreignaffairs.com
September 16, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Veronica Anghel and yours truly have a piece in Foreign Affairs on Europe's harebrained policy towards Russia. foreignaffairs.com/russia/europ.... Some key points:
1) Europe does not have a Russian strategy. In fact, it seems Europe cannot even think strategically.
1) Europe does not have a Russian strategy. In fact, it seems Europe cannot even think strategically.
That should be fun!
At this year's Vienna Humanities Festival, Cold War historian @radchenko.bsky.social and IWM Rector @mishaglenny.bsky.social discuss the Soviet collapse, Russia & Ukraine, and what history reveals about Putin’s worldview.
👉 Join the conversation: www.humanitiesfestival.at/radchenko
#VHF25
👉 Join the conversation: www.humanitiesfestival.at/radchenko
#VHF25
September 16, 2025 at 1:32 PM
That should be fun!
A great piece by my Kissinger Center colleague Frank Gavin. Hugely important. People misuse history, and all your favorite analogies are flawed. Thinking historically, Gavin argues, is not about dusting off old answers, but about asking the right kinds of questions. www.noemamag.com/the-lost-art....
The Lost Art Of Thinking Historically | NOEMA
To understand the world today, we must see it as actors of the past did: through a foggy windshield, not a rearview mirror, facing a future of radical uncertainty.
www.noemamag.com
September 13, 2025 at 5:14 PM
A great piece by my Kissinger Center colleague Frank Gavin. Hugely important. People misuse history, and all your favorite analogies are flawed. Thinking historically, Gavin argues, is not about dusting off old answers, but about asking the right kinds of questions. www.noemamag.com/the-lost-art....
Merkel's Freedom: reflections of a sympathetic reader. Here I go over Merkel's memoir, finding a lot of revealing bits and pieces on Russia, Ukraine, the Bucharest Summit, the Minsk Agreements, etc. A must read despite being something less than a page-turner. open.substack.com/pub/profradc...
Merkel's Freedom: reflections of a sympathetic reader
Germany is truly blessed with boring leaders.
open.substack.com
September 13, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Merkel's Freedom: reflections of a sympathetic reader. Here I go over Merkel's memoir, finding a lot of revealing bits and pieces on Russia, Ukraine, the Bucharest Summit, the Minsk Agreements, etc. A must read despite being something less than a page-turner. open.substack.com/pub/profradc...
Some thoughts on the drone attacks. open.substack.com/pub/profradc...
Russian drones in Poland: what next?
An analysis.
open.substack.com
September 10, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Some thoughts on the drone attacks. open.substack.com/pub/profradc...
That's just not the case. Poland narrowly avoided a Soviet invasion in 1956, and again in 1981, when Gen. Jaruzelski spared Moscow the trouble by imposing martial law. But you knew that.
September 10, 2025 at 5:18 PM
That's just not the case. Poland narrowly avoided a Soviet invasion in 1956, and again in 1981, when Gen. Jaruzelski spared Moscow the trouble by imposing martial law. But you knew that.
The "breakthrough" of Power of Siberia 2 open.substack.com/pub/profradc.... Here's what we know.
The "breakthrough" of Power of Siberia 2
What happened? And what needs to happen?
open.substack.com
September 10, 2025 at 7:56 AM
The "breakthrough" of Power of Siberia 2 open.substack.com/pub/profradc.... Here's what we know.