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The article provides updates on various global news briefs.Topics include the evacuation of american embassy personnel from Sudan due to deteriorating security, the ongoing dispute between House Republicans and the U. S.State Department over the Afghanistan military withdrawal, and the suspension of the Anglo-American School in Moscow by the Russian government.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been in prison since January 2021, and, according to his original sentencing, was due to be released at the end of 2023. However, he has since been tried and convicted of a multitude of other crimes, the latest of which ("extremism") added 19 years to his sentence.Below is Navalny's final declaration in court, the latest in our series of "Last Words" uttered by Russian political prisoners. This courtroom tradition represents one of the last remaining outlets for free speech in Vladimir Putin's Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The free press has been under fire in Russia since long before Moscow invaded Ukraine. Russian journalists have been jailed or labeled as "foreign agents" for writing critical articles. Journalists working in Russia for foreign media outlets, which necessitates accreditation with the foreign ministry, used to feel more-or-less secure — after all, expelling or jailing a member of the foreign press damages a country's reputation.That sense of security disappeared with the jailing earlier this year of US correspondent Evan Gershkovich on trumped-up espionage charges. Moscow sent a signal that terrified the community of foreign journalists, leading many to pack up and leave, not wanting to risk their freedom. What does it feel like to work as a journalist in Russia today? One foreign correspondent shares their impressions with Russian Life. We are protecting their anonymity at their request. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a speech by Jens Stoltenberg, secretary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), delivered at Warsaw University in Warsaw, Poland on May 31, 2016. Topics of the speech include the mission of the organization, the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia, and migrant and refugee crisis in Europe since World War Two.

The article focuses on Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, and the creation of Wagner Group, a private military company. Topics include Putin's comparison of the first post-Soviet decade to the time of troubles; Wagner's role as mercenaries; and funding sources and the deterioration of Russia's stability.

The article examines the political leadership of Russian President Vladimir Putin who depends on his ability to balance personal popularity and repression and propaganda. Topics discussed include the dual threats of a coup from elites and a popular revolt to his presidency, the reputation of Putin as a former spy and an autocrat, and an examination of the position of Russia as a great power under the leadership of Putin.

The author examines the current state of Russia under the leadership of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He describes how the Putin administration balances political repression and bourgeois comfort. He also compares the U.S. and Russian economic models, with the Putin model focusing on economic growth accompanied by eternal illiberalism.

The article presents a speech by Russian Dissident Alexey Navalny, delivered at a hearing at Simonovsky Court, Moscow, Russia, on February 2, 2021. Topics included Navalny courtroom remark on Russia's political and legal system for corruption and repression; details on the European Court of Human Rights as parts of Russian civil justice system; role of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Federal Security Service on geopolitics and political uncertainty.

The article discusses the neo-McCarthyism practice of accusing individuals of subversion or treason without actual evidence in relation to the U.S. media and the efforts to ban Russian policy critics as of 2015. According to the article, the 2014 report entitled “The Menace of Unreality: How the Kremlin Weaponizes Information, Culture and Money" by journalists Michael Weiss and Peter Pomerantsev states that Russian propaganda poses one of the biggest threats to Western nations.

The author presents a critique of U.S. press coverage of Russian politics and foreign relations and of Russian President Vladimir Putin as of 2014, in the context of the high volume of coverage of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and of the ongoing political conflicts in Ukraine. Articles discussed include one by Julia Ioffe in the February 17, 2014, issue of "The New Republic" and one by Timothy Snyder in the February 20, 2014, issue of "The New York Review of Books."

The article discusses events involving politics and government in Russia as of February 2014, with a focus on oppositional groups, demonstrations, and figures against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Topics include amnesty hearings for political prisoners including the Bolotnaya prisoners; the @KermlinRussia anti-Putin handle on social media site Twitter, operated by a duo called “Kermlins”; and Alexei Navalny, who ran for mayor of Moscow. Socialite Ksenia Sobchak is also mentioned.

The article focuses on the impact of literature on democracy in Russia throughout history. Topics include the power of literature during the time of Russia's czarist rule, the work of author and poet Aleksandr Pushkin, and the division of Russian society along intellectual and class lines. Information is provided on the preservation of Russian literature and poetry through emigration from the Soviet Union, the shift from dictatorship to communism, and why Russia has never been able to implement an effective democracy.

A literary criticism of the book "Putin's People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took on the West," by Catherine Belton, is presented. Topics discussed include the fall of the Berlin Wall and its significance to Putin and his leadership with the KGB or the Committee for State Security, Belton's portrait of the KGB security agents, and the rise of communism and Russia's association with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The article discusses the Russian high technology company Yandex's relationship with the government of Russia from 1997 through 2020, including in regard to its delivery service during during the spring 2020 lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The competition between the American technology company Google and Yandex in their internet search engines is discussed.

An essay is presented which discusses the political issues surrounding the relations between the U.S. and Russia particularly with regard to the administration of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Topics explored include the foreign policy and economic situation in Russia, the need for the U.S. government to demonstrate effective leadership towards Russia, and updates on the nuclear arms reduction negotiations between the two countries.

The article profiles Russian filmmaker and television producer Konstantin Ernst and his significance in promoting Russian president Vladimir Putin and what the author refers to Ernst's role in Russian propaganda. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents a Civic report related to Russia positioning itself in Libya to unleash migrant crisis into Europe. It mentions the efforts of Russian President, Vladimir Putin to capitalize on ways immigration can destabilize Western countries. It also mentions that Russia's efforts to manipulate refugee flows is aimed at destabilizing and politically weakening the European Union.

The article examines the significant influence and power of Russia in the Middle East during the early 21st century and its impact on the status of the U.S. in the region. The author argues that Russian president Vladimir Putin's strategy is based upon similar strategies employed by then-U.S. president Richard Nixon and then-secretary of state Henry Kissinger following the Yom Kippur War.

The article discusses Garry Kasparov, Russia's former world chess champion and the leader of the political protest movement against the government of President Vladimir Putin. Topics include public dissatisfaction with Putin's leadership, allegations that he rigged his reelection in 2012, and Kasparov's political career and activities.

The article presents a reprint from the book "The Man Without a Face," by Masha Gessen. It examines the life and career of Russian leader Vladimir Putin including his involvement with the Russian KGB (Committee for State Security), his family background, and his personal relationships. It is suggested that Putin's leadership resulted from his life as a street thug.

The article offers information and opinions about the leadership of Vladimir Putin, the Prime Minister of Russia, in 2012. Topics include protests in Moscow, Russia against the government, political corruption in elections, and the political strength of Putin. It provides analysis of the options of Putin to pursue an authoritarian regime or fraud in the 2012 election. Information about individuals against Putin's power in Russia is provided, which includes retired judge Tamara Morschakova and opposition leaders Alexei Navalny and Boris Nemtsov. It is suggested that Putin may lose his popularity and power in the 2012 election.

The article discusses the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 and its consequences. It examines the roles of Russian President Boris Yeltsin and Soviet head of state Mikhail Gorbachev. The author reflects on economic and political aspects of the Soviet Union's breakup, commenting on the privatization of property and exploring the role of elites. He also draws comparisons between the 1991 dissolution and the Russian Revolution of 1917. The anti-communism of American commentators is also considered.

The article looks at the governor of Kirov oblast, Russia Nikita Belykh, appointed by Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, and his task of transforming the city of Kirov. According to the author, the problems of Kirov include unemployment, the decline of Soviet infrastructure and poor public-health conditions. The article also discusses the largest challenge for Belykh is Kirov's corrupt law-enforcement system.

An essay is presented discussing the collapse of liberal and democratic ideas in the political economies of Russia and China. It offers analysis of the post-Cold War political culture at the end of the twentieth century, including the effects of the fall of communism, the rise of Russian autocratic rule, and the revival of the Chinese Communist Party. Russia's views regarding the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and western funding of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are discussed.

The author discusses Russian president Dmitri Medvedev relative to former president Vladimir Putin. He believes Medvedev is a lackey to Putin, and argues that the United Russia Party consists of bureaucracies serving Putin's agenda. He discusses Putin's and Medvedev's effect on the State Duma, the youth political movement Nashi, and the gas company Gazprom. Also discussed are former prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov, former Duma speaker Vladimir Ryzhkov, and political activist Garry Kasparov.

Argues that the Moscow correspondents for major U.S. newspapers have failed to state the obvious: that the last four years have witnessed the death of the nascent democracy and the rise of fascism in Russia. Claim that U.S. newspapers failed to report that Russia's December 7 national election, which handed President Vladimir Putin near-total control of the Duma, was a farce; Description of how Putin maintains an iron grip on the Russian media, the business community, the Duma and other state institutions; Claim that there was substantial evidence of fraud and manipulation during the election; Report on the rise extreme nationalist politicians, exemplified by Vladimir Zhirinovsky; Assertion that journalists from other countries, such as France, Canada and Great Britain, have been much bolder than their U.S. counterparts in their reporting of political corruption and the death of democracy in Russia; Claim that this pattern of reporting has been developing for five years, even as the conflict in Chechnya was raging and Boris Yeltsin handed over power to Putin; History of the positive portrayal of Putin as an economic reformer, economic liberal and a political ally of the United States by the American press; Speculation about reasons why the U.S. press got the story wrong, including the slashing of staff numbers at Russia bureaus, the nature of U.S. journalism, which relies on propaganda-driven local media as sources, and the U.S. State Department's view of Russia as a partner in the fight against terrorism; Reasons why Canadian and European reporters are able to do a better job of reporting on Russia, including their freedom to editorialize.

Examines the political climate in Russia under President Vladimir Putin, in light of the arrest of publisher Vladimir Gusinsky. Previous optimism for Russian's journey towards capitalism and democracy and hope for Putin to combine law-and-order with economic reform; Police raid of Media-Most, a Gusinsky company; How Gusinsky had aligned himself politically with Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov's party.

This article presents brief information on political and economic conditions of several nations. Boris Yeltsin's sudden resignation as President of Russia, on New Year's Eve provoked ritual praise of his legacy by the same editorial voices that have been championing him for nine years as Russia's great hope. Russia is undergoing a demographic and public health crisis unprecedented in peacetime. The power and authority of a nuclear state have substantially disintegrated, while corruption and asset-looting have run rampant. Across the U.S., workers are deeply concerned about their pension plans. That concern is well founded. Since 1985, despite large profits and growing surpluses in their pension funds, 20 percent of Fortune 500 companies and more than 300 companies in all have slashed the retirement benefits that they promised their employees. IBM Corp., had just announced that it was converting its traditional defined-benefits plan to a "cash balance" plan. Unlike old-fashioned pension plans, in which employees earn most of their retirement benefits toward the end of their careers, under the cash-balance scheme, employers set aside a certain percentage of an employee's pay every year.

Focuses on the retirement of Russian President Boris Yeltsin, appointing Prime Minister Vladimir Putin his temporary replacement until the next elections. His announcement on New Year's Eve; His mixed and contradictory legacy; Charges of corruption against him; His failing health; Russia's war against Chechnya. INSET: Moscow's Man to Watch, by Yevgenia Albats et al.

The author speculates on how Russia would be affected politically, socially, and economically if President Vladimir V. Putin were to be removed from power, noting Western sanctions on Russia for its intervention in Ukraine. Topics addressed include the history of political change caused by economic problems in Russia and the Soviet Union, as well as a lack of democracy within Russia.

Focuses on the prospects for democratic reform of the Russian government, in light of the November 20, 1998 murder of human-rights advocate and member of parliament Galina Starovoitova. Her resistance to the criminalization of the regime in her home city of St. Petersburg; The spread of lawlessness that accompanied the economic crisis in Russia; Attempts to fill the vacuum left by an ailing Boris Yeltsin; Fringe groups.

Focuses on the late August 1998 financial and political turmoil in Russia. Collapse of the value of the ruble; Failure of the country's major banks; President Boris Yeltsin's characterization of prime minister Sergei Kiriyenko as the scapegoat; His replacement of Kiriyenko with Viktor Chernomyrdin, who was fired from the position in March 1998; Rumors about Yeltsin's ill health and possible resignation; Identification of important figures; Outlook. INSET: Russia's increasingly desperate situation.

Discusses the impact of waste and fraud in the Russian government upon United States foreign policy. Problems with Russian nuclear disarmament projects funded by the Department of Energy; International aid funds that the Russians have squandered or stolen; Impact of Russia's financial collapse; Influence of Russian politician Anatoly Chubais.

An essay is presented in which the author examines the rise of the civilization state that is changing the global balance of power and shifting geopolitics away from liberal universalism and towards cultural exceptionalism. Particular attention is given to the rejection of Western liberalism and the expansion of global market society in China and Russia.

Information about the political and defense profile of the Russian Federation is presented. The country's geographical features, key political leaders, type of government and economic status are highlighted. Details about its defense strategies and defense structure, such as land forces, the Navy and the Air Force are also offered.

The article examines the implications of the final outcomes of the 2018-2019 electoral seasons in Russia and Ukraine and the war in the Donbas. It suggests that while Russia's political leadership significantly changed following the reelection of Vladimir Putin as president on March 18, 2018, Ukraine is expected to see a major change in 2019. It also examines the potential impact of a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission in the Donbas.

Discusses concern that the bungled war in the breakaway province of Chechnya could mark the end of Russian President Boris Yeltsin as a pro-Western reformer. His attempts to crush the Muslim region's claims of independence, boost his popularity and demonstrate Moscow's strength; How the plan backfired; Four possible leadership scenarios; What makes Yeltsin sweat; Shifting Kremlin alliances. INSET: From nukes to treaties, the... , by Tim Zimmermann & Hannah....

Reports that President Bill Clinton is hoping to push Russian President Boris Yeltsin further toward democracy and a free-market democracy as he visits Moscow in January 1994. Why Clinton's timing could hardly be worse; Rise of Russia's old totalitarian forces; How Clinton's cheerleading for reform could backfire; Yeltsin's changing course; Hard-liners' success in the parliamentary election; Yeltsin's priorities. INSET: New politics and old keys to power..

Focuses on President Boris Yeltsin's crackdown on his conservative opponents, notably parliament Speaker Ruslan Khasbulatov and suspended Vice President Alexander Rutskoi. Challenges he faces with military and regional leaders; Why new elections may only replace one Russian standoff with another; Support of the United States' Clinton administration for Yeltsin.

Discusses questions of political succession in Russia in 1996, following the re-election of President Boris Yeltsin. Concern that Yeltsin, in failing health, might die before term's end; His unclear direction; Yeltsin's victory over Communist candidate Gennady Zyuganov; Potential successors Viktor Chernomyrdin, Yuri Luzhkov and Aleksandr Lebed.

Reports on recent events in Russia. President Boris Yeltsin's power play against defiant legislators in Russia's Parliament building; The despair and disarray within Russia; Ethnic fighting in the former Soviet republic of Georgia; Whether anyone can unify Russia.

Examines historical events and the factors which contributed to the failure of the democratization process in Russia as of May 1995. Criticisms on the political leadership of President Boris Yeltsin; Phases of the Russian post-communist story; Key to understanding the partial failure of the drive to westernize Russia from 1992-1993; Emergence of nomenklatura capitalism and its significance to the transition; Disadvantages of the lack of any credible alternatives to the governmental disorder.

Traces the developments in the success of Russian President Boris Yeltsin to contain the crises which cropped up one after the other after the fall of communism in August 1991. Presence of mountainous obstacles to the creation of a market democracy; Obstacle of centralized planning and a hegemonic military-industrial complex; Confrontation with Yeltsin's enemies in the Parliament which sought to undercut Yeltsin's economic reform resulting to near hyperinflation; Parliament's attempt to overthrow Yeltsin from December 1992 to March 1993; Indirect strategy of Yeltsin of building a base of support for a draft constitution by making an end run around the Parliament to the increasingly powerful regions; Final victory in abolishing the Parliament on September 21, 1993.

Focuses on economic and political transitions taking place in Russia. Efforts to support the forces of moderation, Westernization, free markets and democracy in Russia; Decline in output and the threat of massive unemployment; Discussion on the cause of hyperinflation; Establishment of reserve fund to support currency convertibility once inflation is under sufficient control.

Focuses on the political and economic conditions in Russia under President Boris Yeltsin. Question on the success of Yeltsin and former Russian Prime Minister Yegor Gaidar's reforms; Political reforms of Yeltsin and the democrats; Issues related to Russian democracy; Disintegration of communism; Accomplishment of Yeltsin to reorient Russian foreign policy away from the messianic Soviet quest for global power toward a pragmatic national interest; Statistics on Russia's long-running economic crisis.

Discuses the political developments in Russia under the regime of Russian President Boris Yeltsin. Information that Russia's parliament voted last month to nullify Ukraine's sovereignty over the Crimean peninsula; Emphasis on culture, pluralism, tolerance and patriotism by Russians liberals; Claim that liberal reformers have turned a mighty state into an international charity case and are importing economic and political institutions; Statement made by Sergei Stankevich, Yelstin's adviser that it turned out that victorious democracy had no conception of the organic life of Russia.

Explains that the failed Communist coup in Russia has resulted in the collapse of Communism in the country. Rumors of an impending coup had been rampant for a long time; President Mikhail Gorbachev dismissed the warnings; Halfheartedness in the execution of the coup; Myth that the coup, carried by adventurers of the extreme right, was defeated by people's power; More opposition in Leningrad than in Moscow; Resistance in the Kuzbas region of Siberia and the Far East.

Discusses the reasons for Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev's failure to act decisively against the perpetrators of a failed Communist coup, including Gennadi Yanayev, Valentin Pavlov, Leonid Kravchenko. Participant in the plot of the Communist party against the people, of parasites against their own serfs, of dictators against democracy; Gorbachev tried to stop the reforms in which he did not wish to participate any longer.

Discusses the emergence of a Russian right movement composed of respectable and highly placed members of the establishment, government officials, writers, scientists and painters. Literary publications of the movement; Similarities of the movement with the Freemasonry; Factors contributing to the phenomenon of the Russian right; Indications of the movement's unpopularity among workers; Writer Mikhail Leontiev's essay on the doctrine of the extreme right.

This article presents information related to economic and political issues. Russia is in the grip of a political scandal that makes Watergate, or U.S. President Bill Clinton's Indogate campaign finance mess, look like a kindergarten prank, although you won't learn much about it from the U.S. media. The revelations of upper-echelon corruption reach back to Boris Yeltsin's desperate re-election campaign against the Communist contender, Gennady Zyuganov, last spring--an effort solidly backed by Washington. When Bill Clinton opposed the Balanced Budget Amendment this past summer--and lobbied hard enough with Democratic senators to switch six of their votes--he did so primarily because its defeat was one in the eye for Bob Dole, still the Senate majority leader.