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Opinion

opinion Alexandra Borissova

Can the New Head of the Russian Academy of Sciences Save Academics from Mobilization?

The Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) was founded almost 300 years ago by Peter the Great, but reached its apogee in the Soviet Union. All the research...
Farida Rustamova and Maxim Tovkaylo

Putin Always Chooses Escalation

After seven months of war with Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared mobilization and is poised to annex four occupied Ukrainian regions...
Michael Alexeev and Will Pyle

The Nature of Russian Patriotism

Russia’s predisposition towards blind and militant patriotism did not start with Putin.
Victor Davidoff

The Long, Brutal History of Russian Prisoners of War

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed off on amendments to the Criminal Code that include a new article on “Voluntary Surrender.&rdquo...
Nikolaus von Twickel

Russia’s Rushed Referendums

Moscow’s decision to hold “referendums” in the occupied Ukrainian regions about joining Russia was both expected and unexpected. Expected...
Tatiana Stanovaya

Kharkiv Retreat: What Will Military Losses Mean for Russia’s Domestic Politics?

The retreat of the Russian armed forces from Ukraine’s Kharkiv region sowed panic, disenchantment, and bewilderment among pro-war activists. Their...
Alexander Etkind

The Unbearable Lightness of Western Pundits

No one knows the future, but what we predict reveals who we are.
Alexandra Borissova

Are Russians Science Savvy?

“One-third of Russians believe that the sun revolves around the earth” is good clickbait, but it does not truly represent reality.
Andrei Pertsev

Kremlin Must Placate Its Supporters Amid Outrage Over Kharkiv Retreat

The ultra-patriots are openly hinting that they are disappointed with Putin’s apparent lack of resolution. 
Nigel Gould-Davies

Visa Ban: The Sanction the West Should Impose

If economic sanctions against Russia affect everyone, why shouldn't a visa ban?
Dmitry Petrov

Why I’m Optimistic About Moscow’s Municipal Elections

An independent Moscow city deputy explains why he's running again.
Kirill Kharatyan

A Tale of Two Ivans

What is the message of these life stories, and who is sending it?
Yevgenia Albats

Six Months of War: What Putin Wanted; What Putin Got

None of the goals articulated by the Russian President and his subordinates have been reached.
Anna Arutunyan

Visa Bans on Russians Will Strengthen the Putin Regime

The Soviet Union's Iron Curtain was to safeguard its power. Now Europe is doing that for Putin.
Benjamin Tallis

Why Europe Should Ban Russian Tourists

A ban would support Ukrainian democracy and European security.
Victor Davidoff

Who Killed Daria Dugina? Untruths and Consequences

The big question is not so much who killed Dugina, but what actions will her death justify?
Victor Davidoff

The Russian Revolution Failed. Long Live the Revolution!

A Soviet dissident who paid the price once and once again, looks back at the last 31 years.
Nick Trickett

The Russian Economy: Failing To Plan, Planning to Fail

"Technological sovereignty" is word salad for partial state planning — and too little, too late.
Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan

Prison Swaps, Putin Style

More Westerners may be arrested as Putin forms a “bank” of people for future prisoner exchanges.
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