Graduate Institute of Russian Studies, NCCU

Russia faced sanctions, lost Western markets, and entered a costly war. How has its economy kept going? That’s the question at the heart of this episode of《俄羅斯，為什麼？》(Why Russia?). Host Tsui Lin speaks with Dr Charles CJ Wang of the Institute for National Defense and Security Research about what’s happening beneath the headlines. Russia has turned east towards China, the Far East, and the Northern Sea Route. Is this real transformation, or just buying time? The war economy has created jobs and output, but also labour shortages, inflation, and resource strain. Ordinary Russians cope through dachas, informal networks, and local markets. Key questions: How sustainable is this resilience? Is dependence on China becoming a vulnerability? How long can the war economy deliver growth? What does survival look like for ordinary Russians? Russia has adapted. But adaptation has a price and the longer it stays locked in a wartime economy, the bigger the question: what kind of economy will remain when the crisis ends? Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE8yvM5TUhs&t=19s

Why Has Russian Foreign Policy Shifted from Pragmatism to Opportunism? From Russia's Return as a Great Power to Its Post-Ukraine-War Diplomatic Transformation   When Vladimir Putin first came to power more than two decades ago, Russia actively sought cooperation with the West. Following the 9/11 attacks, Putin offered support to the United States in the fight against terrorism and even explored closer ties with Europe. How, then, did Russia move from pragmatic engagement to open confrontation with the West?   In this episode of (Why Russia?), host Lin Tsui is joined by Professor Lien Hong-Yi, Prof. of Diplomacy at National Chengchi University and former Dean of the College of International Affairs.   Together, they trace the transformation of Russian foreign policy under Putin, from a pragmatic approach shaped by domestic economic priorities, through the rise of nationalism and renewed great-power ambitions, to the more flexible and opportunistic diplomacy that has emerged since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.   In this episode: ▸ How did the colour revolutions and NATO enlargement shape Russia's perception of the West? ▸ Why did Russia's economic and political recovery lead to a shift in its foreign policy? ▸ From Crimea to the Russia-Ukraine war, what has Russia sought to achieve? ▸ What does Putin mean by restoring Russia'status as a “great power”? ▸ Has Russia's foreign-policy shift been driven primarily by Western pressure-or by the country's growing confidence in its own strength? ▸ And if the Putin era eventually comes to an end, could Russian foreign policy return to a more pragmatic approach?   From history to today. From Russia to the wider world. Understanding the evolution of Russian foreign policy offers important insights into the changing dynamics of global geopolitics and the possible directions of the international order ahead.   Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPbjuXPLlj8

Has the Younger Generation's Vision of the Future Changed? Military recruiters are quietly making their way onto university campuses, while VPNs have become an everyday necessity, even for grandparents who need one just to watch YouTube.    So, what is life really like for young people in Russia today?   In this episode, our host Dr. Lin Tsui is joined by Nana, a native of St. Petersburg who is currently studying Diplomacy and International Relations in Taiwan. Speaking fluent Mandarin, Nana offers a rare, first-hand perspective on the experiences, concerns, and aspirations of contemporary Russian youth.   The world of young Russians today is neither fully shaped by Western influence nor completely sealed off by state propaganda. It is complex, resilient, and constantly changing.   RU Classroom｜“Why Russia?” EP. 5 Has the Younger Generation's Vision of the Future Changed? Watch now and discover a different perspective on contemporary Russia   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85dOEkOCAKU (A Chinese-language programme)

Lessons from the War in Ukraine: Europe, Democracy and Security Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the war has reshaped Europe’s security landscape and raised urgent questions about defence resilience, social mobilisation, international cooperation and democratic security. How can democratic societies learn from Ukraine’s experience? And how can they better prepare for future military, hybrid and geopolitical challenges? We are delighted to welcome Roderich Kiesewetter as our guest speaker. A former German military officer with extensive experience in foreign and security policy, Mr Kiesewetter has held various military and government positions, including roles with NATO and the German Federal Ministry of Defence. He has served as a member of the German Bundestag since 2009 and currently sits on its Foreign Affairs Committee. Drawing on his military and political experience, Mr Kiesewetter will share his insights into the war in Ukraine and its implications for European security, democratic societies and international cooperation. He will also discuss what democratic countries can learn from the war and how they can strengthen their resilience in an increasingly uncertain security environment. Date: Friday, 18 September 2026 Time: 10:10-12:00 Venue: International Conference Hall, 5F, College of International Studies Please note: • Registration is required on the day. Please bring your student or staff ID. External visitors will be asked to sign in. • No food or drinks are permitted in the International Conference Hall. Any damage or soiling of the venue may incur a cleaning charge. All are welcome. We look forward to seeing you there! Registration Link: https://reurl.cc/YmEWRX

Why is the Russia-Japan territorial dispute becoming increasingly difficult to resolve? When Vladimir Putin visited the Northern Territories/Kuril Islands, Japan responded with strong criticism. But why has this territorial dispute remained unresolved for decades? The dispute over the islands is more than a question of territory. It is closely connected to the history of Russia-Japan relations, regional security and the changing geopolitics of Northeast Asia. In Episode 4 of “Why Russia?”, Dr Lin Tsui speaks with Professor Hsi-Hsun Tsai about the historical roots of the dispute and why Russia and Japan have struggled to reach an agreement. Why are the islands so important to both countries? Why does Russia insist on maintaining its sovereignty? Why does Japan continue to demand their return? And what does the dispute mean for security in East Asia today? RU Classroom｜“Why Russia?”EP. 4 Why is the Russia-Japan territorial dispute still unresolved? Watch now and discover a different perspective on Russia:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RlFRjbpXK0&t=337s (A Chinese-language programme)

How has Russian Orthodoxy endured from empire through Soviet atheism to Putin’s era? Why do Ukraine and Russia, sharing the same Orthodox faith, still find themselves at war? In this exclusive interview, Dr Lin Tsui speaks with Associate Professor Kuo Hsin-Yi to uncover the hidden codes behind Orthodox icons and Step into the profound intersections of faith, history, and modern politics. RU Classroom｜“Why Russia?”EP. 3 Why is Russia inseparable from Orthodoxy? Watch now and discover a different perspective on Russia:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYHAwAnseyg&t=957s (A Chinese-language programme)

Does Putin Really Have Such Strong Public Support? What lies behind Russia's “stability”, and what does it cost? How is it that, despite Western sanctions, the human cost of the war and growing pressure on everyday life, Putin’s approval ratings have stayed remarkably high over the years, often ranging from 60% to 80%? Is this simply a genuine desire for strong leadership and order? Or is there something more complicated going on beneath the surface? In this episode of RU Classroom｜“Why Russia?”, Dr Lin Tsui is joined by Professor Jing-Yun Hsu, Director of the Graduate Institute of Russian Studies at NCCU, to take a closer look at the power structure behind Putin's rule and the difficult choices facing Russian society. From Russia’s turbulent history to the politics of the present day, we explore a question that is not quite as straightforward as it first appears: Is Putin's popularity really about Putin, or is it also about what came before him? For many Russians, the turmoil of the 1990s is still part of the story. The promise of stability, security and restored national pride may come with a price, but it also raises a much bigger question: how do you balance great-power status, social stability and individual freedom? So, what does Putin’s enduring support actually tell us about Russia? ???? RU Classroom｜“Why Russia?” EP. 2 Putin, public support, and the price of stability. ???? Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lya-U6FMMno (Media in Chinese)  

- Why does Russia often seem so difficult to understand? - Why is the relationship between Russia and Ukraine so complex? - And how can we better understand Russia? Professor Lin Tsui of Tamkang University as she explores Russia through the lenses of history, culture, politics and international relations. Knowledge series:「Russia，Why？」 Going beyond what happened, this series invites you to ask the more important question: Why? Watch now and discover a different perspective on Russia. https://youtu.be/kLJ1AERBjD0?si=D0wad4esHKWC2iWO (A Chinese-language programme)