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Orthodox Faith with Soviet Aesthetics: What a Rare Moscow Parade Says About Power in Russia

Mechanically choreographed and creatively bankrupt, the procession was more about loyalty to the power vertical than religious belief.

Western Sanctions Have Unintended Climate Consequences in Russia

The international community must balance the realities of a hot war in Europe and the necessity of monitoring a quickly heating Arctic.

Maximilian Hess

Trump’s Inaction Hands Putin a Lifeline Through China

By failing to prioritize the mortal threat posed by Russia over his perception of the risks posed by China, Trump has only further enabled both.

Valery Panyushkin

Russia Faces Declining Numbers of Schoolchildren. What Did the Kremlin Expect?

The past decade saw a growing number of targeted groups created in Russia. Of course that made having children unappealing.

Vladislav Gorin

Putin’s Supreme Court Pick Heralds Further State Appropriation of Assets

The emergence of Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov as the frontrunner to head Russia’s Supreme Court sheds light on Kremlin priorities.

For Russian Asylum Seekers, the United States Is Not the Land of the Free

Washington's new deportation policy spells certain doom for dissident Russian asylum seekers, with no opportunity to escape the authorities.

Putin’s Shanghai Bond Bonanza Is a Pipe Dream

The value of global financial institutions lies in transparency and predictability. Putin's for a new monetary infrastructure has none of that.

Ksenia Luchenko

The Russian Orthodox Church’s Soft Power Even Reaches the United States

Americans are turning to the church as a more conservative form of Christianity. Putin's ideology could find fertile ground among believers.

Tatiana Stanovaya

Tactical Victories in Ukraine Peace Talks Will Only Lead to Strategic Defeat

Putin refuses to understand that that Ukrainian society and elites will never accept the capitulation Moscow is trying to impose on them.

Sergei Vakulenko

Can Russia Weather a Fuel Crisis Caused by Ukrainian Drone Attacks?

Damage to Russian refineries has helped send gasoline prices to multi-year highs. But the government has options to mitigate the shortages.

Russia Risks Being Left Out of Tightening India-China Relations

China and India never really saw themselves as part of the Primakov Triangle. With Russia hobbled by war, Moscow could get left behind.

Russia's State-Backed Messaging App Is a Blatant Attempt at Control

Officially, the Kremlin says they are protecting people from scams. But they are really cutting off easy online communication for dissenting voices.

Russia Risks Arctic Environmental Disaster in Pursuit of Profit and Power

As climate change opens up trade routes in Russia's north, governments should avoid enabling Moscow's destructive exploitation.

Prioritizing Veterans and Widows in University Admissions Is About Control, Not Social Mobility

What looks like an attempt to reward people for their sacrifice will install voices loyal to the Kremlin to pacify potentially restive institutions.

Trump's Diplomacy Won't Stop Russia's Expansionism

The most influential causes of Russia’s war on Ukraine are internal. Improving relations with the West will not fix them. Only action matters.

Inna Bondarenko

Trump and Putin Speak the Same Diplomatic Language. Zelensky Adapts, But Europe Struggles.

The businessman, spy and actor all understand the role of showmanship. Europe's earnest approach risks assigning them to irrelevancy.

Welcome to Russia in 2025. Wave Your Comfortable Modern Life Goodbye.

Cut off from the free internet, suffering from power cuts and even turning to bartering and cash payments — Russia's future looks like its past.

Why Is Russia Still Bombarding Ukrainian Civilians?

Vladimir Putin's campaign against Ukrainian civilians won’t end the war any faster and is more likely to harden national resolve against Russia.

Ukraine Needs Security Guarantees Moscow Will Take Seriously. The West Isn’t Up to the Task.

By spending years drip-feeding military aid to Ukraine and prevaricating over sending troops, Kyiv's allies have wasted their credibility.

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