Recorded discussion · 44 min
Russia’s Nuclear Behavior: Doctrine vs. Reality
A discussion with Stephen Blank and Mark Schneider on Russian nuclear strategy, coercion and the relationship between stated doctrine and behavior.
Stephen Blank · Independent expert
Understand Russia.
Inform your next decision.
Research, briefings, speaking and expert testimony grounded in decades of scholarship and policy experience.
I help organizations, policymakers and legal teams examine Russian foreign and defense policy—and understand its implications for the questions they face.
U.S. Army War CollegeProfessor of Research, 1989–2013
Foreign Policy Research InstituteNon-Resident Senior Fellow, Eurasia Program
University of ChicagoMA and PhD in Russian History
Ways to work together
Expertise you can engage.
From a focused question to an ongoing analytical relationship, each engagement begins with your needs, audience and timeframe.
01Private Briefings
Focused analysis of Russian foreign policy, security and strategic developments, with time for questions and discussion.
A private briefing helps your team place a development in context, examine competing interpretations and identify implications for its work. Content is tailored to the audience and the question you need to explore.
Possible formats
- Remote briefings for leadership and research teams
- Small-group discussions on a specific policy question
- Prepared analysis followed by questions and answers
02Commissioned Research
Written analysis addressing a defined policy question, region or defense issue, at the depth your assignment requires.
I develop analytical papers and reports for organizations seeking a substantive assessment of Russian policy and its international consequences. We agree the research question, intended use, length and delivery schedule before work begins.
Areas of focus
- Russian foreign and defense policy
- Russia’s activities in Africa and Asia
- Russia–China relations and military cooperation
- Power projection, deterrence and military developments
03Recurring Analysis
Continuing analytical support for clients who need an informed perspective beyond a single report or conversation.
A recurring engagement creates a clear rhythm for commissioned analysis, articles or briefings. Together we define the subjects to follow, the outputs you need and an editorial or review process that works for both sides.
Agree the arrangement
- A defined research or editorial focus
- Regular deliverables and discussion opportunities
- Clear deadlines, revision boundaries and fees
04Speaking Engagements
Substantive talks and discussions for conferences, policy forums, professional associations and private events.
I bring historical perspective and contemporary analysis to discussions of Russia’s role in international security. A presentation can be developed for a specialist audience or for participants who need a clear introduction to a complex subject.
Formats to discuss
- Keynote addresses and invited lectures
- Conference panels and moderated conversations
- Remote presentations and private events
05Expert Witness Services
Independent expert analysis and testimony in legal proceedings where Russian policy and country conditions are relevant.
I consider expert-witness assignments within my areas of expertise, including matters involving Russian state institutions and conditions relevant to immigration proceedings. Initial discussions establish the issues, relevant experience, schedule and scope.
Start with the essentials
- The subject and questions requiring expert analysis
- The proceeding, location and relevant deadlines
- Preparation and testimony requirements
Availability and fees are agreed directly. Please begin with a non-confidential outline.
Discuss an expert-witness inquiry →06Congressional Testimony
Expert input for hearings and staff briefings on Russia, its international relationships and security policy.
My experience includes testimony before Congress on Russia, China and Central Asia. I welcome inquiries from committees, commissions and staff seeking a substantive assessment of a Russia-related policy question.
Areas of contribution
- Hearing testimony and written statements
- Background briefings for staff
- Analysis of Russian strategy and foreign relationships
Select a service to explore the scope. Remote engagements are welcome; in-person arrangements depend on the assignment and availability.
A continuing perspective
Make room for deeper analysis.
Some questions need more than a single answer. A recurring relationship provides space to follow developments, revisit assumptions and build a fuller understanding over time.
For a research team, that might mean a regular analytical paper and discussion. For a publication, it might mean a defined series of commissioned articles. The scope and cadence are developed around a concrete need.
Discuss a recurring engagement →About Stephen
A career devoted to understanding Russia.
Historical depth.
Close attention to policy.
Clear, direct analysis.
Dr. Stephen Blank is a historian and specialist in Russian foreign and defense policy, with a career spanning professional military education, policy research and independent consulting.
From 1989 to 2013, he served as a Professor of Research in Russian, CIS and Eastern European Studies at the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College. Earlier, he taught Soviet studies at Air University. His subsequent work has included roles with the American Foreign Policy Council and the U.S. Institute of Peace.
He is a Non-Resident Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Research Institute’s Eurasia Program. His extensive publications examine Russian strategy, military affairs and international relationships across Europe, Asia and other regions. He has testified before Congress, contributed to international conferences and provided analysis for media audiences.
Stephen holds an MA and PhD in Russian History from the University of Chicago and speaks Russian and French. Based in the Washington, DC area, he is available for selected consulting, writing, speaking and testimony engagements.
Research and policyRussian strategy, foreign relations and international security
Teaching and scholarshipU.S. Army War College, Air University and academic research
Russia & ChinaRussia in AfricaRussia & AsiaMilitary strategyNuclear policyUnmanned systems
Selected work
Analysis in the public record.
Research, testimony and recorded discussions illustrating my work across policy questions and audiences. Each selection links to its original publisher.
Audio briefing & Q&A · 60 min
Nuclear Deterrence and Missile Defense Forum
An expert briefing on Russian strategy and nuclear policy, followed by audience questions. The recording uses a static visual with an audio waveform.
What’s At Stake in Ukraine: European Security in a Broader Context
A report placing the war in Ukraine within a wider European security context.
Read the report ↗Russia’s Nuclear Policy After Ukraine
An examination of Russian nuclear policy and its relationship to the war in Ukraine.
Read the report ↗Restoring Deterrence and Freedom of Navigation in the Red Sea
A study of the interaction between regional and foreign actors in a contested maritime environment.
Read the paper (PDF) ↗An Emerging China–Russia Axis?
Testimony for the U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission’s hearing on the implications of China–Russia relations for the United States.
View hearing and testimony ↗Russia’s naval base in Sudan: A key to Moscow’s Africa strategy
An examination of how naval access, security relationships and economic interests fit into Russia’s Africa strategy.
Read the analysis ↗Russia, Eurasia and international security
Explore additional reports, commentary and research through Stephen’s institutional author profile.
Explore the archive ↗Showing 8 selections
Earlier appearances & more published work
These earlier conversations provide a record of analysis at the time of publication. They are presented in their historical context.
- Ukraine — What is Putin Thinking? ↗
A conversation about Russian intentions and European security, recorded before the February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
- Putin’s “New Russia”? — Update and Outlook on Ukraine ↗
An in-person presentation at a National Security Group Lunch on Capitol Hill, recorded October 31, 2014.
- Private dinner discussion with Dr. Stephen Blank ↗
An example of a small-group event focused on U.S.–Russia relations.
More published work: New Lines Institute ↗ · TRENDS Research & Advisory ↗
Speaking & briefings
Bring perspective to the conversation.
A useful talk starts with the audience. Whether the setting is a professional conference, an institutional briefing or a small-group discussion, the subject and depth should serve the questions in the room.
These topic areas can provide a starting point for an agreed presentation. Format, preparation, fees and availability are discussed for each engagement.
Russia’s global strategy
How Moscow connects foreign policy, military power and relationships abroad—and what that means for other governments and organizations.
The Russia–China relationship
Military cooperation, strategic alignment and the questions their relationship raises for regional and international security.
Russia beyond Europe
Russian activity in Africa and Asia, including power projection, regional partnerships and the implications for external actors.
Military change and future warfare
Russian military thinking, nuclear policy and the implications of unmanned systems across air, land and sea.
Working together
A clear scope from the start.
Good work begins with a shared understanding of the question, the deliverable and the time available.
01
Define the question.
Tell me what you need to understand, who the work is for and when you need it. We establish whether the assignment fits my expertise and availability.
02
Agree the engagement.
We clarify the format, preparation, delivery date, review process and fee. Public-facing and confidential work are scoped according to their intended use.
03
Build on the work.
Where a continuing need exists, we can discuss a further assignment or a recurring arrangement with a defined focus and realistic cadence.
Start a conversation
What do you need to understand?
For consulting, commissioned research, speaking or testimony inquiries, please share the subject, intended audience or use, and your timeframe.
A short, non-confidential outline is enough to begin. The next step is a discussion of fit, scope and availability.
traininblank@aol.comWashington, DC area · Remote engagements welcome