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Future

Russia’s Asteroid Problem

Russia has good reason to be concerned about asteroids. The country had two near misses in the 20th century century alone. Efforts to better prepare the nation for such an event, however, are unlikely to be effective unless Russia first builds better tele

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Geopolitics

Crackdown On Gay ‘Propaganda’ In Russia

A law introduced in the Russian Parliament this week aims to punish “homosexual propaganda” aimed at children. Critics are worried this is just another way to outlaw homosexuality.

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Society

Stalin And The Macho Cult of Mass Murder

History tells us that purges, show trials and other sadistic state policies were integral to the birth and expansion of the Soviet Union. But a new book focuses on how Stalin helped form the unique “boot and leather jacket-wearing” character of the Bolshe

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Geopolitics

An Eye On 2018? Russia’s Mikhail Prokhorov Ready To Form His Own Party

Vladimir Putin rival Prokhorov is keen to launch a new political party. Consolidating support from the recent election, in which he finished an impressive third, the businessman billionaire is first going straight to the people to help him find a name for

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Geopolitics

Tired Of Playing Nice, Russian Protesters Ready To Defy Police

Vladimir Putin’s victory in the presidential elections has not deterred opponents, some of whom have also faced arrests by authorities. And now, as plans begin for the next major rally, on May 5, protest organizers say they will ignore government

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Society

Guerrilla Art And The Subversive Soul Of Russia’s Protest Movement

If you like Banksy, the now rich and famous UK street artist and activist, you’ll love P183, the Russian graffiti and guerrilla artist. A member of no party, whose identity remains a mystery, P183 is emblematic of the country’s growing a

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Economy

Moscow Looks To Rein In Skyscraper Construction

While some cities take a bigger-is-better approach to high-rise construction, Moscow is looking to curb enthusiasm for skyscrapers in much the same way as Saint Petersburg. Proposed regulations would impose a 75-meter height limit for most of the historic

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Geopolitics

Is Putin Doomed Anyway? The Quiet Momentum Of Russia’s Protest Movement

Analysis: With his victory on Sunday, Vladimir Putin returns to the Kremlin with a renewed mandate and promises of major reforms. But a growing mass of disaffected Russians may be bound to push the incoming president out of office no matter what he does.

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Geopolitics

When Putin Was Booed: The Long Road Back From Fading Popularity To Kremlin Victory

Analysis: Though opponents are still questioning the legitimacy of Vladimir Putin’s win in Sunday’s presidential race, one Russian political observer charts the course of his sudden unpopularity last year to an election campaign that saw

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Geopolitics

Two Years That Changed Russia: What Even A Putin Victory Cannot Undo

Op-Ed: A few years ago, even if its people didn’t realize it at the time, Russia was poised for a new wave of civil action. Though Sunday’s elections may not bring new faces, the nation is forever changed.

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Geopolitics

In Russia, A Presidential Campaign No One Could Have Predicted

Analysis: Vladimir Putin remains the overwhelming favorite Sunday to return to the Kremlin as Russia’s president, following a term as prime minister. Still, with opposition to Putin growing, it was a memorable campaign — even before it began.

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Geopolitics

Inside The Foiled Plot — Real Or Fake? — To Assassinate Vladimir Putin

While commentators debate who stood to gain from an alleged plot to kill Putin just days before the presidential election, there is reputed evidence going back several months that might connect the dots.

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Future

Russian Election: With Watchdog Website, Students Channel The Power Of The People

Alarmed by reports of fraud during last year’s parliamentary elections, a group of computer-savvy Russians prepared for the upcoming presidential election by creating a virtual monitoring site. The platform has already caught the attention of Mikhail Prok

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Geopolitics

Russia’s “Friends of Syria” Snub — As Seen From Moscow

Russia won’t be joining the “Friends of Syria” group for its upcoming summit in Tunisia. Why? Because Moscow sees it as a repeat of the ‘Contact Group on Libya,’ which helped lay the groundwork for foreign military intervention.

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Society

Did The Soviet Union Drink Itself To Death?

Overly reliant on commodities and energy exports, and grossly out of balance on the agricultural front, Russia’s Soviet-era economy was doomed to collapse, argues Hungarian historian György Dalos. It didn’t help that the USSR kept boosting alcoho

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Geopolitics

Russia’s Prokhorov Can’t Expect To Beat Putin. So Why Is He Still In The Race?

As the Russian presidential elections approach, there is still little doubt Vladimir Putin will win. Billionaire and basketball team owner Mikhail Prokhorov, however, continues to keep his hat in the ring. Why? Russia’s Kommersant offers a few explanation

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Geopolitics

Under Pressure In Moscow, Putin Pins Hopes On The “Other Russia”

Vladimir Putin is still the man to beat in Russia’s upcoming presidential election, thanks in large part to support from rural working-class voters. As urban protesters take to the streets, Putin heads off to chat up miners and laborers in far-off provinc

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Geopolitics

Gorbachev To Putin: Your Time Is Up

The 80-year-old former Soviet leader says Vladimir Putin’s best days are behind him. Putin, Russia’s current prime minister, is hoping to regain the presidency in next month’s election.

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Geopolitics

Unpacking TV Coverage Of Moscow Protests: Pro-Putin Slant With A Shot Of Glasnost

In Moscow, thousands braved the cold Saturday in marches both for and against Vladimir Putin. Russia’s state-run TV channels made a point of downplaying the latter. Still, there are real signs of change in how the channels cover Russia’s growing

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Geopolitics

Why Russia Won’t Back Down On The Standoff In Syria

Analysis: Longstanding diplomatic and business ties with Damascus, and memories of the West’s about-face on Libya are among the key reasons Russia won’t give in on a UN resolution on Syria. But from Moscow, there’s also Vladimir

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Geopolitics

On Eve Of Major Rally, Russia’s Protest Movement Risks A Schism

As the New Year vacation closes and presidential election nears, Russia’s attention is turning to the planned anti-Putin demonstration on Feb. 4. But with protesters spanning the spectrum from extreme left to Neo-Nazis, some wonder if opposition unity is

Categories
Society

In Russia, A Deadly Sewer Collapse Exposes Serious Infrastructure Decay

The recent drowning of a toddler in Bryansk has turned national attention to the city’s decrepit sewer system. But Russia’s infrastructure problems are nationwide. At least 10 cave-ins – like the one that killed 18-month-old Kiril Didenko – have

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Geopolitics

Is This Putin’s Rival? Russian Presidential Candidate Mikhail Prokhorov Speaks

Billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov outlines to Kommersant his presidential program, titled a “Real Future.” He wants to cut the presidential term to four years, privatize industry and foster a free press. Are they just words?

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Geopolitics

Syria Sparks ‘Cold War Stalemate’ Between Russia And The West

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow would veto any UN Security Council resolution targeting Syrian President Assad’s regime, especially any military strikes. It is the latest sign of deep-seated Russian tensions with the West over Syria. An

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Geopolitics

Tech-Challenged Russia Ready To Import Foreign Arms For The First Time

For the first time in modern history, Russia is turning to foreign weapons manufacturers to boost its military arsenal. Russia’s armed forces have already signed contracts with Italy and France.

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Geopolitics

The Orwellian Vagueness Of Vladimir Putin’s Election Platform

Op-Ed: As the winter presidential campaign sets to heat up, Vladimir Putin has laid out a campaign platform that is intended to neither inspire nor enrage. So lacking in ambition, his list of promises even includes goals that have already been achieved.

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Geopolitics

In Russia’s Race For President, Can Anyone Exploit Putin’s Weakness?

Analysis: In the aftermath of his party’s poor showing in parliamentary elections, Vladimir Putin is focused now on his race to return to the Russian presidency. Though he is still strongly positioned, Putin now faces a new dynamic where he can &

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Society

Facing Demographic Woes, Russia Struggles To Lure Ex-Pats Home

A program started in 2006 offers benefits to lure back home the Russians who left as the Soviet Union was crumbling. But the price to get the top qualified emigres to return is apparently more than Moscow can afford.

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Geopolitics

Why No One Has The Guts To Challenge Putin

Analysis: After Vladimir Putin’s ruling party lost major ground in Russia’s recent parliamentary elections, opposition parties have done little to take advantage of the momentum. Why? They’re “spooked” by their own success.

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Geopolitics

Bogus Crimes? Khodorkovsky Case At Crossroads, As Russian Politics Heats Up

A presidential committee studying Mikhail Khodorkovsy’s second conviction found no evidence of a crime by the onetime billionaire oil baron and Vladimir Putin opponent. With a touch of absurdism, experts ask if someone can be convicted for someth

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Geopolitics

Hailed In West As Anti-Putin, Russians Have Big Doubts About Prokhorov Candidacy

Russian billionaire and New Jersey Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov has thrown his hat in the ring for next spring’s presidential election. Is it the most serious challenge to Vladimir Putin’s cake walk back to the Kremlin or a bit of Russia

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Geopolitics

Putin’s Campaign ‘Show’: Movie Director Named To Lead Presidential Run

Filmmaker Stanislav Govorukhin, who has also served for six years in Parliament, has been plucked to lead Putin’s campaign to return to the Russian presidency. It may be an attempt by Putin to shine a tarnished image. But who will really be pulli

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Geopolitics

After Election Upheaval, Putin Brushes Off “Party Of Cheats And Thieves” Charges

Following his United Russia’s narrow parliamentary victory, Putin responds to allegations of voter fraud, which have led to demonstrations and hundreds of arrests. Amongst party loyalists, the Russian leader stands his ground with a mix of imperi

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Geopolitics

Does The Russian Protest Movement Have Legs?

News that Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party won 53% of the seats in parliamentary elections sparked protests in both Moscow and St. Petersburg. Unsure they can sustain a mass movement now, organizers have their sights set on Putin’s upcoming r

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Geopolitics

As Putin Forces Hold On To Power, Evidence Mounts Of Pre-Election Press Crackdown

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s United Russia won slightly less than 50% of the vote in the State Duma elections, which coincided with an unprecedented series of threats against media and hacker episodes against websites of many liberal outlets,

Categories
Society

To The Hills Of Tajikistan, Where The Men Have Gone Away

A visit inside a Tajik village that has sent nearly all of its men to work in Russia. These are the people affected when President Dmitry Medvedev talks about restricting Tajik guest workers in Russia.

Categories
Society

Khodorkovsky Documentary Shut Out Of Russian Movie Houses

Jailed Russian oil baron Mikhail Khodorkovsky isn’t going to be released anytime soon. In Russia, a new documentary about his life is struggling to see the light of day as well. “Khodorkovsky” is set for release Dec. 1 — but virtually no cinemas

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Geopolitics

Sinking U.S.-Russia Relations: Behind Scenes Of Toughest Ever Medvedev Speech

Typically mild-mannered, Russian President Dimitri Medvedev let loose in a nationally televised speech against American and NATO plans for a missile defense system. His probable successor, Vladimir Putin, may even boycott the next NATO summit in Chicago n

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Future

Despite Signal, Russia’s Stranded Mars Probe May Come Crashing Back To Earth

The Russian Space Agency’s most recent “sputnik” is looking grim. The unmanned spacecraft was supposed to reach Phobos, one of Mars’ moons. Though the probe’s signal was picked up Wednesday after vanishing for two weeks

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Future

Brain Drain: Russian Scientists Packing Up Their Beakers And Heading West

Not for the first time, Russian scientists are taking their considerable knowledge and moving abroad. Some of the brainy emigrants cite funding problems and Russian red tape as reasons to move. For others, heading West is simply a lifestyle choice.

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