The atmosphere in the runup to Russia’s so-called elections this weekend is so restrictive that for the first time since the breakup of the Soviet Union, the OSCE has decided not to send observers. Continue reading
They’ve been called a pretext for mischief against the Baltics and Poland and a means for Russia to increase its military footprint in Belarus. But whatever you call them, the joint Russian-Belarusian Zapad-2021 military exercises that will begin next week seem to have everybody’s attention. Continue reading
From strategic corruption to disinformation to support for extremist political movements, Vladimir Putin ‘s Kremlin has deployed many weapons in its ongoing war on Western democracy. Continue reading
The debate over Russia policy in the West is, unfortunately, not always grounded in reality. Continue reading
is there a potential rift between Lukashenka, dictator of what is becoming the “North Korea of Europe,” and his patrons in the Kremlin? Continue reading
There won’t be any reset buttons. There won’t be any grand bargains. But the stakes will nevertheless be high when the U.S. and Russian presidents meet in Geneva next week. Continue reading
The axis of autocrats in Eastern Europe continues to solidify as Belarus dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka bends over backwards to please his patrons and masters in the Kremlin. Continue reading
Vladimir Putin has a proven skill for surreptitiously playing the arsonist and then offering his services as a firefighter. Continue reading
Serious questions remain about whether the authoritarian regime of Alyaksandr Lukashenka acted alone in hijacking Ryanair Flight 4978 and kidnapping Belarusian dissident journalist Raman Pratasevich. Continue reading
Did the authoritarian regime of Alyaksandr Lukashenka act alone in forcing Ryanair Flight 4978 to land in Minsk? Continue reading
