International Relations

Four people seated on stage at Perry World House.

‘War in Europe: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine’

In an expert briefing hosted by Perry World House and moderated by Lightning Scholar Jane Vaynman, former NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow, political science professor Rudra Sil, and Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Trudy Rubin discussed sanctions, the humanitarian crisis, and whether diplomatic solutions are realistic.

A closer look at racist biases in the coverage of Ukraine

Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon, a Ph.D. student in the School of Arts & Sciences, was interviewed about the mistreatment of Ukraine’s Black residents as they attempt to flee the country. “This is a multi-country problem we’re looking at,” she said.

Jens Stoltenberg and Volodymyr Zelensky at a NATO press conference.

Claire Finkelstein discusses Ukraine, NATO, and U.S. ethics and cybersecurity

The Algernon Biddle Professor of Law and Professor of Philosophy runs down the reality of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and asks what ethical and legal responsibility NATO has, and what risks could NATO incur, from intervention.

Aiming to control Ukraine, Russia risks quagmire of foreign regime change

Mitchell Orenstein of the School of Arts & Sciences said Russia’s biggest obstacle is “the fact that Ukraine is a real nation and it has tens, if not hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people who are willing to lay down their lives in defense of Ukraine.” Even if they succeeded in installing a puppet government, Orenstein said, Russia would have “a very, very difficult time controlling the territory.”

Leaders decry reported mistreatment of Africans fleeing Ukraine

Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon, a doctoral candidate in the School of Arts & Sciences, said there are thousands of Black Ukrainians living in the country’s major cities.

Local Russian, Ukrainian immigrants living in Philadelphia struggle to understand war

Mitchell Orenstein of the School of Arts & Sciences said many Russians are surprised by news of the war in Ukraine. “There is a sense of shock presently among Russian people in Russia; this is not their image of Russia,” he said. “Ukrainians are kind of seen as close cousins. So, I think there is a sense of shock and widespread disappointment and disapproval of this war among a lot of people in Russia.”

A Ukrainian flag is shown in front of a spray painted image of Vladimir Putin with a red handprint on his face

Q&A

Putin’s motivation behind the attack on Ukraine

In a Q&A with Penn Today, Michael C. Horowitz, director of Perry World House, provides insight into Putin’s motivations, nuclear threats, and expansionist views.

President Richard Nixon smiles and shakes hands with a smiling Chairman Mao

Q&A

Nixon’s China visit, 50 years later

On the 50th anniversary of President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to the People’s Republic of China, David Eisenhower discusses the significance of the milestone amid the fraying relations between the two nations.

People walking in Moscow's Red Square are reflected in a puddle on the ground

Russia’s disinformation campaign against the U.S.

Mitchell Orenstein of the Russia and East European Studies Program discusses the Kremlin’s manipulation tactics in a conversation with Russian politician and dissident Konstantin Borovoi.

Trudy Rubin and former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow sit in chairs on a stage with a sign between them reading Perry World House

Can Russia be stopped?

Alexander Vershbow, former U.S. ambassador to Russia and Perry World House Distinguished Visiting Fellow, discusses Russia’s military buildup along the Ukrainian border that’s stoking invasion fears.

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