Mathieu Boulègue

Biography

Mathieu specializes in Eurasian security and defence issues, with a focus on Russian foreign policy and military affairs.

His research portfolio includes Russian warfare and military industry, Ukraine, Russia-NATO relations, and Russia-China defence and security relations.

Mathieu also led Arctic work at Chatham House, particularly military-security issues and Russia’s polar power projection.

Having trained as a policy and security analyst in post-Soviet affairs, Mathieu previously worked as a partner at the risk management and strategic research consultancy AESMA, where he was director of Eurasian affairs.

He graduated from Sciences Po Toulouse in France and King’s College London (MA in International Conflict Studies).

Past experience

2017-22	Research Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House
2011-17	Partner, and Director of Eurasian Affairs, AESMA consulting firm
2010-11	Analyst for Russia & CIS, GEOS Group

Latest content

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Russia seeks to rebuild and modernize its armed forces, both to make up for combat losses in Ukraine and to apply lessons from that theatre. The outcome of this project matters deeply for Western security.

Military vehicles are pictured at a plant, which is part of Russian missile manufacturer Almaz-Antey, in Saint Petersburg on 18 January 2023.

The NATO summit in Washington is an opportunity for Western leaders to push for innovative deterrence mechanisms against Russia’s war machine.

Mathieu Boulegue explains the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on the Arctic governance, and what must be done to address growing polar insecurity.

In the news

“I suspect this will be a stop-go operation: two to four days of advance, pause and recoup to assess the situation — militarily, politically,” said Mathieu Boulègue.

“What we are seeing is basically Phase 2, which is a shift to much more brutal, tactless, unrestricted warfare, which will lead to many more civilian casualties and bloodier battles,” said Mathieu Boulègue.

The next few days are going to be critical – no country can be complacent to what is unfolding, argues Mathieu Boulegue.