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Opinion

opinion Alexei Levinson

Why Russians Aren't Sold on Donbass as Another Crimea

Our Levada surveys consistently show Russians are split on the future of the Donbass and don't expect a quick solution anytime soon.
Mark Galeotti

Crimea Endures, Neither Hellhole Nor Paragon

Crimea seems to be neither a shining beacon nor a slough of despond, disappointing both Moscow and its critics.
Michele A. Berdy

Cleaning House the Russian Way

All you need are four verbs to satisfy all your cleaning, washing, polishing and murderous needs.
Ekaterina Moore

Russia Is Ignoring Climate Change at Its Own Peril

For now, neither Russian business nor the government or society understands the problem of climate change and why they should be doing anything about it...
Nigel Gould-Davies

Europe Urgently Needs a Geopolitical Purpose

The weaknesses and contradictions within the EU have emboldened Russia in its policy regarding Ukraine.
Maxim Samorukov

Are Russia and Ukraine Sliding Into War?

It's unlikely either side intends to unleash a war, but the absence of rational motives does not preclude the crisis spiraling out of control.
Eleonora Tafuro

The Latest Spy Scandal Won't Sour Moscow-Rome Relations, But Italian Public Opinion Is Shifting

The special relationship between Russia and Italy is showing signs of strain.
Anton Shekhovtsov

Putin and the Myanmar 'Khaki Revolution'

The events in Myanmar show that it is not the idea of regime change as such that dismays Putin, but a very specific form of regime change — the one driven...
Michael Kofman

Russia's Military Buildup Near Ukraine Is an Intimidation Tactic

Russia's military posture appears to be primarily coercive and demonstrative in nature.
Michele A. Berdy

My Sweet Little Buggie-Wuggie

When you see someone small and cute, start piling on the sibilants.
Andrei Kolesnikov

Fathers and Sons: A Kremlin-KGB Remake

By arresting family members of persecuted people, today's authorities declare themselves to be the direct successors of Stalin’s repressive system.

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Michele A. Berdy

The Monster Under the Bed

How to talk about human monsters in Russian - or how to avoid hearing about them.
Mark Galeotti

The Problem Facing Today’s Corrupt Officials and Soviet Black Marketeers: What to Do With the Cash?

Unable to bank their ill-gotten gains, today’s corrupt officials find themselves in the same circumstances as the tsekhoviki, the magnates of the late...
Danil Bochkov

EU Falling Behind China and Russia in Race for Vaccine Influence

With the revival of Cold War-era rivalries, major powers can’t help but confront their opponent’s ambitions.
Vita Spivak

What Does China’s Latest Five-Year Plan Mean for Russia?

Given its escalating confrontation with the West, Russia will become increasingly integrated into China’s tech orbit.
Anna Arutunyan

What a U.S. Intelligence Report on Russia Really Tells Us About America

The U.S. is easily triggered by what is in effect Russian trolling because Americans are increasingly uncomfortable with internal threats.
Michele A. Berdy

Singin' in the Rain the Russian Way

Prepositions. I know, I know. They're miserable. I try to make them a little bit more palatable.
Ilya Klishin

Luiza Rozova and the Helpless Intellectual

A Dj set by the alleged third daughter of Vladimir Putin caused anger amongst Russian progressives.
Vladimir Frolov

Biden Called Putin a Killer. Will That Change Anything?

Although Moscow will show restraint in its foreign policy response to “Biden’s slam”, its response at home promises to be much tougher.
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