Vitalii Portnikov

Mar 8, 2025 | blogs.timesofisrael.com | Vitalii Portnikov |Vitaly Portnikov

When Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine, I warned that this was not a regional conflict but a global confrontation between democracies and dictatorships. It was a shift from a world governed by rules to a world ruled by terror. Yet, many in Israel dismissed this warning, insisting that it was merely a private struggle between Russia and Ukraine—one that had little to do with them. Even Iran’s growing support for Russia did not change this perception.

Feb 28, 2025 | blogs.timesofisrael.com | Vitalii Portnikov |Vitaly Portnikov

By supporting Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression, the United States is not merely upholding its commitments to democracy and sovereignty—it is shaping the future of global security, including in the Middle East. The relationship between American assistance to Ukraine and the strategic stability of Israel and the broader region is more direct than it might seem.

Jun 4, 2024 | blogs.timesofisrael.com | Vitalii Portnikov |Vitaly Portnikov

Not long ago, Mexican scholar and activist Claudia Sheinbaum was the first woman and first Jewish person to hold the position of mayor of the country’s capital. Now she has become the first woman and first Jewish person to lead the state! An impressive career for a woman from a family of Ashkenazi and Sephardic origins who met in Mexico! However, Mrs. Sheinbaum rarely mentions her Jewish roots.

May 26, 2024 | blogs.timesofisrael.com | Vitalii Portnikov |Vitaly Portnikov

The political fortunes of US presidential candidates are often shaped by domestic issues. American diplomats are accustomed to patiently explaining to foreign politicians that American voters prioritize economic interests over foreign policy stances. This is why, in the months leading up to presidential elections, foreign policy often takes a back seat in Washington. However, President Joe Biden finds himself ensnared in a genuine foreign policy trap.

May 20, 2024 | blogs.timesofisrael.com | Vitalii Portnikov |Vitaly Portnikov

Commentators reflecting on the death of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi often emphasize that he was not the true head of state. They remind us that the real leader of Iran is Ayatollah Khamenei, and any president is merely an aide to the theocratic leader. Consequently, discussions about Raisi’s political legacy are often intertwined with speculations about the future. What if he had survived the crash and become the leader of Iran himself?