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An Anonymous Writer in Russia

As the World Speculates, Here's What Russians Are Actually Talking About

While headlines fixate on Putin's popularity and support for the war, many Russians spend more time talking about travel and online shopping.

Central Asia Is Done With Letting Moscow Write Its History

Russia likes to believe that its colonization of Central Asia civilized and modernized the region. But local scholars no longer accept that narrative.

To Be Truly Democratic, Russia’s Opposition Must Learn to Accept Scrutiny

Journalists should not serve political movements. But Russia's opposition treats unflattering reporting as tantamount to Kremlin propaganda.

Tatyana Rybakova

Playing by the Rules Won't Protect Russian Business Owners From the Kremlin's Shakedown

With tax hikes having failed to make up for Russia's budget deficit, the authorities are targeting small businesses that are acting legitimately.

Nicholas Castillo

Russia Wants Armenia Back in the Fold. It May Be Too Late.

With Armenia going to the polls soon, the country's pro-Russian opposition is divided and behind the times as Yerevan courts the West.

Russia's Extraordinary Route to North Korea Shows the Limits of Moscow's Arctic Shipping Dreams

You only ship nuclear reactor components across your country via a circuitous route half way around the world if you have no other option.

Political Repression Is a Numbers Game in Russia

The Kremlin has no need to imprison millions. A steady stream of cases, amplified by the media, is enough to create an atmosphere of fear.

Zarema Gasanova

Regions Calling: Dagestan's Tourism Boom Is a Recipe for Colonialist Exploitation

Instead of opening new economic opportunities for Dagestan’s residents, the tourism boom is deepening the republic’s dependence on Moscow.

Kremlin Elites Have No Way to Remove Putin, Even if They Wanted To

Russia's elites owe their power and riches to Putin. Unless they see some way to maintain their privileges, none of them will move to unseat him.

Sergey Chernyshov

Should the Russian Diaspora Have Their Own Schools?

Russian schools typically outperform their European peers and ensure families share cultural touchstones. But diversity isn't celebrated for Russians.

While the World Watches Iran, Ukraine Is Seizing the Initiative

Moscow's oil windfall may have dominated the headlines. But the Iran war has solidified Ukraine's status as a defense powerhouse.

Valery Panyushkin

Russia's Worship of War Comes With Its Own Idolatry

The Kremlin's embrace of both militarism and religion generates new rituals that contradict Christian teachings.

Sarkis Darbinyan

As Russia Celebrates Victory Day, Security Is a Facade For Censorship

Time and time again, Russians are asked to endure internet outages in the name of safety. Around Victory Day, it's unignorable.

It's Not Too Late to Cure the Madness of Putin’s Victory Day

When all is said and done, this day is still about a memory of a real, tangible and traumatic event.

Russia’s Opposition Doesn’t Know How to Quit Kremlin-Style Chauvinism

The uproar over a Chechen activist’s comments on “honor killings” and LGBTQ+ people has exposed a broader crisis within Russia’s opposition.

Why an Official's Flight to the West Should Worry the Kremlin

A wave of defections is a telltale sign that the regime is unstable.

Vladimir Slivyak

The Kremlin Fiddles While Tuapse Burns

As oil fires rage and toxic slicks spread in the Black Sea, officials are downplaying what could become one of Russia’s worst environmental crises.

40 Years Later, Chernobyl Remains a Lesson in the Unthinkable

We thought we’d seen the worst thing that could happen to a nuclear power plant. No one ever thought one would come under attack.

Why Bulgaria’s New Leader May Not Become Putin’s New Trojan Horse

While Rumen Radev has a history of pro-Russia comments, he's unlikely to be a new Viktor Orbán, pursuing Putin's interests in Europe.

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