By Invitation | Russia and Ukraine

Ian Bremmer counts the cost of the war to Vladimir Putin

The political scientist predicts that an ugly conflict is about to get uglier

THE OUTCOME of Russia’s war in Ukraine remains in doubt. But there is no question that Vladimir Putin’s decision to launch a large-scale invasion is one of the worst strategic decisions any leader of a powerful country has made in decades. There is no plausible outcome in Ukraine that won’t leave Mr Putin and Russia far worse off than before February 24th, when the war began.

This article appeared in the By Invitation section of the print edition under the headline “Ian Bremmer counts the cost of the war to Vladimir Putin”

The Fed that failed

From the April 23rd 2022 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

Discover more

A broader peace is within Israel’s grasp, say Tamir Pardo and Nimrod Novik

A former Mossad director and former foreign-policy adviser on an offer not to be refused

An illustration of Julius Maada, Lazarus Chakwera and Andry Rajoelina.

Three presidents on the partnerships that can at last transform Africa

Success teeters on bold, stable funding, say Julius Maada Bio, Lazarus Chakwera and Andry Rajoelina 


Assisted-dying advocates’ claims of freedom have it backward, says Danny Kruger

One of a pair of essays in which members of Parliament argue their cases


My assisted-dying bill safely solves a grave injustice, says Kim Leadbeater

One of a pair of essays in which members of Parliament argue their cases

“Middle powers” can thrive in the age of AI, says Eric Schmidt

Google’s former chief executive has a playbook for riding out the revolution

Polls get elections wrong. So use Google, says Seth Stephens-Davidowitz

The data scientist argues that stronger predictions lie in what people search for