About Andrew

Dr Andrew Monaghan works on Russian strategy, and Moscow’s thinking about the future in the new age of geostrategic competition.  His work particularly focuses on the changing characteristics of Russian power, from evolving domestic political structures to global positioning, including maritime capabilities.

He has directed research on Russia at the NATO Defense College in Rome, and at Oxford University’s Changing Character of War Centre. He has also held positions at the UK’s Defence Academy and at Chatham House. Retaining his connection with the NATO Defense College, he is now a Senior Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, and a Fellow at both the Centre for Historical Analysis and Conflict Research in the UK and the Kennan Institute in Washington DC. 

His books include Power in Modern Russia: Strategy and Mobilisation (2017), Dealing with the Russians (2019), Russian Grand Strategy in the Global Power Competition (2022) and The Sea in Russian Strategy (2023). The second edition of his book The New Politics of Russia – Interpreting Change was published in 2024. His latest book, Blitzkrieg and the Russian Art of War was published in 2025. 

Get in touch
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The Sea in Russian Strategy
Power in Modern Russia - Strategy and Mobilisation
Dealing with the Russians
Russian Grand Strategy in the Era of Global Power Competition
New Politics of Russia

  • Monaghan’s extensive knowledge of Russian history, politics, language and culture gives him insights that are crucial to understanding Russia and finding a way back to some sort of normal relationship between Russia and the West.

    Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges, Center for European Policy Analysis

  • Andrew Monaghan takes a wider approach, analysing Russia’s strengths and weaknesses, its self-image, its perceptions and misperceptions of us, ditto ours of it.

    The Spectator

  • As Monaghan so forcefully argues, "getting Russia right" matters so that misunderstandings do not escalate into conflict, and might eventually lead to fruitful cooperation.

    Alicky Denton, RUSI Journal

  • Dealing with the Russians provides a fresh, informed and rational approach to solving the problems that arise when nations attempt to deal strategically with the Russian Federation. It will be essential reading for those who prefer to master history rather than fall victim to it.

    David M. Glantz, Carlisle, PA

  • Short, sharp and original.

    Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman

  • Monaghan offers sharp analysis, broad analytical scope, and original and accessible language. Perhaps foremost among them, however, is his ability to talk to different audiences – scholars, practitioners and the general public.

    Professor Dmitri (Dima) Adamsky

Experience

Recent Professional Advisory Expertise

The Russia Research Network Ltd
Founder and Director
2019–Present

NATO Defence College
Non-Resident Associate Fellow
2019–Present

UK Representative, Cultural Vistas
2019–22

Oxford University
The Oxford Changing Character of War Centre at Pembroke College
Director of Research on Russia, 2017-2019; Visiting Fellow until 2017
Academic Visitor, St. Anthony’s College (2013-2015)
2013-19

Chatham House
Research Fellow (2013-14); Senior Research Fellow (2014-17)
2013–17

Other current roles

Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute
Global Fellow
Since August 2022

Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
Senior Associate Fellow
Since April 2020

Manchester University Press
Co-Editor, Russian Power and Strategy Series,
Since December 2019

Previous roles

Wilson Center, Washington D.C.
George F. Kennan Fellow
Jan–April 2022

National Defense University, Washington DC
Visiting Senior Research Fellow, Institute for National Security Studies,
2016–17

NATO Defense College
Researcher
2007–15

Defence Academy of the UK, Defence Studies Department, King’s College London
Teaching Fellow
2001–07