Maria Snegovaya

Maria Snegovaya is a Senior Fellow for Russia and Eurasia with the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and a postdoctoral fellow in Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service. Her work bridges academic research and policy analysis, focusing on Russia's domestic and foreign policy challenges and their implications for the broader international system.

Snegovaya earned her PhD in political science from Columbia University, establishing the foundation for her expertise in post-communist political systems. Her academic training informs her rigorous approach to analyzing complex geopolitical dynamics in the region.

Her research interests span Russia's domestic political evolution, democratic backsliding in post-communist Europe, and the tactics employed by Russian actors to exploit political vulnerabilities across the region. She has developed particular expertise in understanding how pro-market rebranding of former communist parties has contributed to the rise of right-wing populism in Eastern Europe, as detailed in her book When Left Moves Right.

Analysis of Snegovaya's recent publications reveals consistent focus on the Ukraine war, Russia's adaptation to sanctions, and the evolving geopolitical landscape in Eurasia. Her work demonstrates increasing attention to the 'Axis of Upheaval' concept, examining cooperation between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. She frequently analyzes how domestic political developments in the United States and Europe impact Russia's strategic calculations.

• Regular contributor to major media outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Economist, and Foreign Policy
• Author of influential policy briefs and reports on Russia's war in Ukraine and geopolitical strategy
• Host of the 'Russian Roulette' podcast series examining critical developments in Russia and Eurasia
• Collaborates extensively with other leading experts in the field through CSIS and other institutions

Snegovaya's work has established her as a prominent voice on Russia and Eurasia, providing timely analysis that bridges academic rigor with policy relevance. Her research continues to evolve alongside the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, with increasing focus on the implications of the 2024 U.S. election cycle and the trajectory of Russia's war in Ukraine.