Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Israel-Iran
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Ukraine / In Ukraine and Europe, a concern: Has Putin outlasted the US?
Ukraine, Burden sharing, Europe and Eurasia, Grand strategy, Russia

January 30, 2024

In Ukraine and Europe, a concern: Has Putin outlasted the US?

Rajan Menon, director of grand strategy at Defense Priorities, a realist foreign policy think tank in Washington, says he finds those concerns about China “far-fetched.”

The Chinese, he says, “are going to look at the balance of forces in their region and what the costs will be of launching a war, and less at how long the Americans stuck it out with Ukraine.”

Mr. Menon, who has just returned from his fourth visit to wartime Ukraine, says that for the first time he found “a mood of great pessimism – not over their will or ability to fight this war with Russia, but over how they are now hostage to [U.S.] politics.”

Read at Christian Science Monitor

Featuring

Photo of Rajan Menon

Rajan
Menon

Former Non-Resident Senior Fellow

Defense Priorities

More on Eurasia

op-edGrand strategy, China, Iran, North Korea, Russia

There is no ‘axis of autocracy’

By Daniel DePetris

July 1, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Are the Russia-Ukraine peace talks going anywhere?

By Daniel DePetris

June 3, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Drones, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Drone attack may do Ukraine more harm than good

By Jennifer Kavanagh

June 2, 2025

In the mediaUkraine‑Russia, Drones, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Daniel Davis on NBC News discusses Ukraine’s recent drone attacks inside Russia

Featuring Daniel Davis

June 2, 2025

In the mediaUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Why Trump can’t get ‘crazy’ Putin to end the war

Featuring Rajan Menon

May 29, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Is Trump’s unified Republican front fracturing over Russia?

By Daniel DePetris

May 28, 2025

Events on Ukraine

See All Events
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Air power, Diplomacy, Drones, Europe and Eurasia, Land power, Military analysis, Russia, Ukraine

Past Virtual Event: Ukraine’s critical choice: Pursue peace or fight on

April 16, 2025
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Past Virtual Event: Trump and Ukraine: Prolonging or ending the war

December 13, 2024
virtualNATO, Alliances, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

Past Virtual Event: A ‘bridge’ to NATO or false hope for Ukraine?

July 12, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved