Russia and European Security: Continuity, Conflict, and Change

Russia and European Security: Continuity, Conflict, and Change examines Russia's role as a key actor in the European security environmentthrough the lenses of history, strategy, domestic politics, and internationalrelations. The course explores the enduring foundations of Russian stateidentity and strategic culture alongside the transformations driven by militarymodernization, economic instruments, hybrid warfare, and shifting geopoliticaldynamics. Particular attention is devoted to Russia's relationships withUkraine, the post-Soviet space, Europe/NATO, and China, as well as to theinteraction between domestic regime stability and foreign policy. Combiningconceptual discussions with a practical simulation exercise modelling theKremlin’s response to an armed mutiny, the course equips students with thetools needed to understand the sources of continuity and change in Russianbehavior and their implications for European security.

‍