George Barros

George Barros is a Washington-based analyst who concentrates on Ukraine and Russia. He previously worked as a foreign policy advisor for a former member of Congress who served on the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats. He holds a degree in International Relations and Russian & Post-Soviet Studies from the College of William and Mary.

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The Russian Threat to Religious Freedom in Eastern Ukraine
The Russian Threat to Religious Freedom in Eastern Ukraine

While many aspects of the Russo-Ukrainian war—such as the annexation of Crimea, the shootdown of passenger airliner MH17, and the creation of an autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church—have been widely discussed by experts, the plight of religious minorities in occupied eastern Ukraine has largely gone ignored.

The Five Books on Russia You Should Read
The Five Books on Russia You Should Read

Russia has historically been a challenging topic for scholars. Geographically, most of Russia lies in continental Asia, but culturally most…

Trump Should Remember How the Baltic Way Helped Topple Soviet Occupation
Trump Should Remember How the Baltic Way Helped Topple Soviet Occupation

While Crimea may not be returned to Ukraine for decades, Putin’s Kremlin will not last forever. Since the future global political landscape is unpredictable, America has the responsibility as the leader of the free world to provide clear and consistent messaging on issues of freedom and the rule of law. President Trump should know that in the long run Crimean annexation non-recognition will pay off, just as 50 unwavering years of the United States’ Baltic annexation non-recognition policy eventually paid off.

Dostoevsky’s “Russian God”: Russian Attitude Toward Faith and Christianity
Dostoevsky’s “Russian God”: Russian Attitude Toward Faith and Christianity

Fyodor Dostoevsky uses “Russian God” to refer not to European, or Western God, but to unique aspects of Russian Orthodoxy with its unique emphasis on sobornost’.

A Presbyterian in Orthodox Russia: Review of John Burgess’ Holy Rus’
A Presbyterian in Orthodox Russia: Review of John Burgess’ Holy Rus’

In Holy Rus’, Burgess shows what happens when a Calvinist who knows little about Russian Orthodoxy lives (temporarily) in Russia.

The West Overestimates Aleksandr Dugin’s Influence in Russia
The West Overestimates Aleksandr Dugin’s Influence in Russia

Proponents of the “Dugin the mastermind” argument need to substantiate their claims with evidence and ask themselves how effective, if at all, is Dugin at influencing Kremlin elites and Russian foreign policy.

Ukraine Inaugurates First Jewish President
Ukraine Inaugurates First Jewish President

Zelensky should keep to the premises of his inaugural address of continuing Europeanization, driving reinvigorated reforms, and defending Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders.

US Russia Alliance Why Russia Can’t Be America’s Ally: What Putin Doesn’t Want You to Know About Moscow’s Persecution of Christians and Covert Support for Radical Islamists
Why Russia Can’t Be America’s Ally: What Putin Doesn’t Want You to Know About Moscow’s Persecution of Christians and Covert Support for Radical Islamists

The growing trend among conservatives to support Putin’s Russia is problematic because Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) engage in activities that run directly contrary to U.S. national security objectives, values of Western civilization writ large, and teaching of Christian scripture.

A Bold Step in the Right Direction, but not Without Flaws: A Historical Critique of Bitter Harvest
A Bold Step in the Right Direction, but not Without Flaws: A Historical Critique of Bitter Harvest

Bitter Harvest is a touching film about a tragic and important piece of history. That being said, it is undoubtedly not without several discernible weaknesses that detract from its overall quality.

Secret Soviet Genocide Brought to the Silver Screen: The Holodomor’s Hidden History behind Bitter Harvest
Secret Soviet Genocide Brought to the Silver Screen: The Holodomor’s Hidden History behind Bitter Harvest

Bitter Harvest professionally illustrates the Holodomor, one of 20th-century Europe’s central tragedies and one of the Soviet Union’s greatest crimes against humanity.