Russia and the broader Eurasian region stand at the center of some of the most consequential geopolitical disruptions of the twenty‑first century, shaping global security, energy markets, and the evolving balance of power. Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, its foreign policy choices, and its use of nuclear, cyber, and informational tools have generated far‑reaching reverberations across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. At the same time, the region has witnessed political uprisings, large‑scale conventional warfare, and profound stress on energy systems, even as several former Soviet states pursue closer alignment with Western institutions and democratic norms. Against this backdrop, Russian influence continues to assert itself through coercive diplomacy, mis‑ and disinformation campaigns, and deepening ties with other authoritarian regimes. An interdisciplinary approach—drawing on political science, economics, and security studies, and informed by collaboration with scholars, practitioners, and policymakers—enables rigorous analysis of these dynamics and their implications. The objective is not only to deepen understanding of Russia’s drivers and regional impact, but also to generate policy‑relevant insights and recommendations that help the United States and its partners effectively advance their strategic objectives in an increasingly volatile Eurasian landscape.