U.S.-Russia relations

Javed Ali, Newsweek: "[The downing of the drone] serves as a stark reminder of the potential for small-scale incidents like this to further heighten tensions between both sides and possibly trigger unintended escalation in response. The Biden...

Melvyn Levitsky, USA Today: "It depends upon what country we’re dealing with and what that relationship looks like. There’s not a cookie-cutter...

WXYZ: "The administration has to have this at the top of its agenda in terms of the bilateral relationship. I'm pretty sure we'll eventually cut a deal, but that is subject to these...

Visiting policy practitioner with the Weiser Diplomacy Center Stephen Biegun wrote in The Detroit News that “the United States and the Russian Federation are at war.” “There is a dangerous disconnect among American leaders and the American public....

The Biden administration has made an offer to Russia to swap a Russian prisoner in the U.S., convicted arms smuggler Viktor Bout, for two Americans currently being held in Moscow, Michigan's Paul Whelan and WNBA star Brittney Griner. Commenting to...

A major prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine took place earlier this week, but the prospects for several Americans held by Russia look bleak.  Ford School professor Melvyn Levitsky was quoted in an article in USA Today before the swap. He said...

After one American was released from Russia in a prisoner exchange, another American—Paul Whelan from Michigan—remains in a Russian prison. Whelan's family expressed regret that he had not been included. Some have argued that more sanctions against...

As the Russian military surrounded and began its assault on Ukraine, Melvyn Levitsky, professor of international policy and practice, and Javed Ali, associate professor of practice, lent their expertise to numerous media outlets to break down the...

What is essential to know about the rising tensions in eastern Europe and the Ukraine-Russia crisis? Melvyn Levitsky, professor of international policy and practice at the University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy, shares his insights. He...

A group of state and national lawmakers urged President Biden to discuss the release of Paul Whelan, a Michigander currently being held in Russia, during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week. John Ciorciari, associate...

Regardless of political or partisan stripes, few voters see the November election as anything less than consequential. And whether one advocates for a go-it-alone or go-with-friends approach to global relations, the world still carefully watches the...

The intrigue of espionage has hit close to home, as Novi man Paul Whelan was detained in Russia under the accusation of being a spy. Detroit ABC-affiliate WXYZ called upon Melvyn Levitsky, professor of policy and practice at the Ford School, to...