As the year 2000 approached, two of the main topics of conversation were: Could the world's computers handle the switchover, the so-called Y2K problem, and when did the 21st century actually begin, ...

Seizing their "rightful" portion of Kazakhstan would bring Russia great riches and enormous geopolitical advantages.

Better than disengaged containment, a harder line toward Putin will surely get his attention — and his respect.

The Chechen insurgence has already morphed from a national independence movement into one seeking a caliphate for the entire North Caucasus.

Putin's invasion of the Crimea has been criticized for "not being 21st century enough," but even the 21st century itself hasn't been very 21st century lately with a Malaysian passenger jet simply ...

Political crises are all alike, as Leo Tolstoy might have written had he been a columnist instead of a novelist. At least they are alike in their early stages.

U.S.-Russian relations have come to a small moment of opportunity. U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul is stepping aside just as Russia is flush with pride over the success of the Sochi Olympics.

Customer service has improved, there is less anti-Semitism and Russians are free to pray and leave the country if they want.

Shortly before his death in December at 94, Mikhail Kalashnikov, inventor of the AK-47, began to be wracked by spiritual doubts.

The closing ceremony for the Sochi Olympics will be Feb. 23, the day that marks the 70th anniversary of the deportation of Chechens, Ingush and others from their homelands in the North ...