Navigating the Vortex

Navigating the Vortex

Home
Podcast
Notes
Lucy Marcus
Stefan Wolff
Speaking & Press Enquiries
Archive
About
Why Trump is unlikely to get Xi's help in making peace in Ukraine
Keeping the war in Ukraine going is the more rational choice for Beijing to make.
 • 
Navigating the Vortex
Is the war in Ukraine headed towards an endgame?
After nearly three years of war, a ceasefire and peace talks are more likely than ever, but could turn out to bring only temporary relief for Ukraine.
 • 
Stefan Wolff
‘Victory plan’ or not, Zelenskyy’s allies may have passed their peak in supporting Ukraine
Pressure on Ukraine is increasing on and off the battlefield, and it is increasingly difficult to see how the country will prevail in its war against…
 • 
Stefan Wolff
Away from the battlefield, the diplomatic wrangling in the Ukraine war hots up
Narendra Modi in Kyiv, Li Qiang in Moscow, and a Nato-Ukraine council emergency meeting demonstrate that there is still much to play for—on and off the…
 • 
Stefan Wolff
Ukraine war: what China gains from acting as peacemaker
China’s approach to ending the Ukraine war will determine the future of the European security order.
 • 
Stefan Wolff
One-third of Ukrainians would give up land for peace – but it’s not as simple as that
All pathways to peace in Ukraine lead through Washington and Beijing
 • 
Stefan Wolff
Ukraine: opening EU accession talks is an important boost for Zelensky despite Orbán’s obstruction
The EU decision to open negotiations with Ukraine is good news for President Zelensky, even if it is not the full package he wanted.
 • 
Stefan Wolff
Ukraine war: failed African peace mission underscores need for more powerful political and military pressure on Putin
Despite a procession of peace plans for Ukraine, irreconcilable divisions remain between Kyiv and Moscow.
 • 
Stefan Wolff
Biden's — and Zelenskyy's — last throw of the dice?
If the outgoing US president's gamble pays off, he will have done Ukraine a final favour.
 • 
Stefan Wolff
Ukraine war: $60 billion in US military aid a major morale boost but no certain path to victory
The promised weapons will give Ukraine some breathing space on the battlefield, but victory against Russia is far from assured.
 • 
Stefan Wolff
Ukraine war: Moldova could be the first domino in a new Russian plan for horizontal escalation
There are fears that Russia might try to compensate for its poor performance in Ukraine by upping its meddling in neighbouring countries.
 • 
Stefan Wolff
Geopolitics and geoeconomics in the high north
How the west is foiling Russia’s attempts to use the Arctic in the Ukraine war
 • 
Stefan Wolff
© 2025 Lucy P. Marcus & Stefan Wolff
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture