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Opinion

Alexandra Borissova Saleh

Russia’s Scientists Were an Asset to the Kremlin. Then They Became ‘Undesirable.’

Because they saw the world beyond Russia's borders as an opportunity rather than a threat, Russian scientists face a witch hunt.
Pippa Crawford

'Mr. Nobody Against Putin' Doesn't Settle for Easy Answers. That's Important.

The film, which is less about resistance than a chronicle of society during war, is a promising and worthy award contender.
4 Min read
Nigel Gould-Davies

Russia's War on Ukraine Isn't at a Stalemate. That Encourages Escalation.

Moscow can't win the war in Ukraine outright and refuses to scale back its goals, locking Kyiv in an arms race of attrition.
5 Min read
Jennifer G. Mathers

As Manpower Shortages Deepen, Russia Recruits Foreign Women for War

Unlike Ukraine, Russia has not drawn attention to women in combat roles as it would undermine Moscow's masculine image.
5 Min read
Nicholas Castillo

Once a Critical Partner, the Ayatollah's Fall Looks to Have Minimal Fallout for Russia’s War

Russia wisely resisted over-reliance on Iran, onshoring much of the weapons manufacturing with which Tehran supplied Moscow.
5 Min read
Viktoria Maladaeva

Shaman Disrespected the Sacred Lake Baikal. But It Faces Ecological Catastrophe, Too.

Hopefully the backlash to the singer's actions will wake the world up to the threats to the sacred and ecologically unique lake.
3 Min read
Polly Jones

70 Years After the Secret Speech, Russia Is Still Reckoning With Stalin

Putin's ambivalence toward Stalin seems part of a strategy to stop Russians drawing parallels between their country's past and present.
6 Min read
Elena Davlikanova

The Abnormal Normality of the Ukraine War Enters its Fifth Year

Ukraine’s suffering and courage are becoming old news to many. Yet one cannot grow accustomed to the sound of explosions at night.
4 Min read
An Anonymous Writer in Russia

I Was Working for Russian State Media When the Kremlin Invaded Ukraine. This Is What I Remember.

The war did not come as a surprise to me, but I still couldn't believe what was happening — and I knew I had to quit.
6 Min read
Irina Mak

The Gulag History Museum Is Gone. But Its Lessons Remain.

The museum dedicated to memorializing state crimes is being replaced — ironically — by one showcasing state propaganda.
6 Min read
Jason Corcoran

Moscow's De-Dollarization Dreams Meet Pragmatic Reality

A leaked memo suggests Moscow may rejoin the dollar settlement system despite years of trying to go its own way.
6 Min read
Vladislav Inozemtsev

The Ukraine War Has Tied Russia's Elites Closer to the Kremlin

With fewer options for stashing their money abroad, Russia's elites are increasingly reliant on Moscow.
4 Min read
Sasha Skochilenko

What I Learned Speaking Face to Face with a Fellow Political Prisoner and Artist

I wanted to find out where Pavel Krisevich found his creative energy, especially in prison. I expected anger, but found love.
5 Min read
Boris Bondarev

Resisting the Kremlin's Communication Crackdown Requires New Thinking

Russia's opposition is falling back on performative tactics that have failed repeatedly. We need to take a new approach.
6 Min read
Benjamin Shultz and Ksenia Vakhruseva

We Need to Talk About Russia’s Arctic Information Offensive

Russian disinformation narratives about its much-vaunted Northern Sea Route are far from the reality. That's what makes them dangerous.
3 Min read
Kevin Ryan

The U.S. and Russian Militaries Are Talking Again. Will it Make a Difference?

Having taken part in such discussions over 30 years, I predict they will not be as helpful as we hope. But will be better than not talking.
5 Min read
Sergei Shelin

Putin Is Battling Inflation – But Sacrificing Russia’s Economy

Some economists think the Kremlin's obsession with reducing inflation is an ideological decision that harms the war effort.
6 Min read
Boris Bondarev

Nuclear Arms Control Was Eroding Long Before New START's Expiration

Russia is not the only country that's undermined attempts to limit nuclear proliferation. Now, those restraints are even weaker.
5 Min read
Elena Davlikanova

The Failed Energy Truce Shows Why a Quick Peace in Ukraine Would Not Last

Ukrainians want peace more than anyone. But even as they freeze in their apartments, they know rushing would delay another war.
6 Min read
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