Topic: Center for Political Technologies

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Is Russia's Orthodox Church privileged or persecuted?

The Russian Orthodox Church's ties with the government are facing push back. Church leaders have decried recent incidents, including a punk band's protest inside a church.
For Vladimir Putin, winning Russia's presidency may be the easy part

The Russian election has been engineered for a Vladimir Putin victory. His true challenge will come afterward, when he has to rule a country increasingly dissatisfied with his rule.
Why opposition is urging voters to sabotage ballots in Russia election

Voters should spoil their ballots in Russia's elections Sunday to protest a stage-managed process, says a leader whose party has been banned. One poll finds that 80 percent of Russians say voting has no impact.
Seat warmer: Russia's Medvedev stepping aside for 'more popular' Putin

Dmitry Medvedev admits a deal was made in which he would hold onto the presidency until Putin was constitutionally allowed to return to office. Medvedev's supporters are not amused.
Why half of Russians regret the 1991 August Coup

After the August Coup that dissolved the Soviet Union and secured democratic reforms, many Russians saw limitless possibilities. Twenty years later, many are disillusioned.
In Russia, a blogger takes on powerful Putin

Alexei Navalny's charge that Prime Minister Putin is abusing his power is gaining traction, showing the growing clout of Russia's blogosphere.
Russia's only war criminal Yury Budanov assassinated in Moscow

Yury Budanov served six years in prison for war crimes in Chechnya before his parole in 2009. His assassination could be a revenge attack or an attempt to stir ethnic strife.
Medvedev slams Putin's 'inexcusable' Libya 'crusade' comments

The sharp exchange of words on Monday reveals what some Russia experts say is a growing rift between Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev.
To ease investment jitters, Medvedev allies float Khordorkovsky release

Signals from the Kremlin suggest that Russian President Medvedev may be weighing clemency for long-jailed former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, another sign of a deepening split with Prime Minister Putin.
After Khordokovsky verdict, taking stock of business and corruption in Russia

Russia lashed out Tuesday at Western leaders who voiced their concern over Monday's conviction of Russian tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Belarus risks alienating both Russia, EU in wake of political crackdown

Police in Belarus arrested more than 600 activists protesting Sunday's election that handed President Alexander Lukashenko a fourth term. He told opponents Monday, 'You are messing with the wrong guy.'
Chechen parliament attack a threat to Kremlin strongman

A major militant attack on the Chechen parliament is raising doubts about Kremlin-backed Ramzan Kadyrov's boasts that he's pacified Chechnya.
In shift, Kremlin reopens cases of Russian reporters' unsolved murders

The announcement came during the Kremlin's meeting today with the Committee to Protect Journalists. Rights groups have been pressing to address major unsolved murders, such as the slaying of Anna Politkovskaya.
Why Russia wants 'Enemy No. 1' Akhmed Zakayev back

Russia considers Chechen separatist Akhmed Zakayev, picked up in Warsaw today under an international arrest warrant, as 'Enemy No. 1.'
Russia bombing: Jihadis or sign of other trouble in north Caucasus?

A Russia bomb that killed six people in the Russian city of Stavropol has led to speculation about jihadis or Islamic militants. But analysts worry about a widening circle of instability – and players – in the north Caucasus.
Pragmatism spurs Russia and Georgia toward smoother relations

Signs of a thaw between Russia and Georgia include the reopening of one border post on the major Caucasus highway and a possible move to resume direct air links. Relations between Russia and Georgia behave been in a freeze since last year's war over breakaway Georgian territories.
Medvedev pitches economic – but not political – changes for Russia

In a state-of-the-nation speech Thursday, Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev reviewed his own pet economic innovations but didn't criticize the tightly controlled political edifice
Global News Blog
In Russia, Putin's democracy looking more like a facade

Former leader Mikhail Gorbachev and others are outraged after last week's elections, which only 3 percent of Russians believed were fair, according to a poll.
Ten years on, Russia's Putin has gone from 'nobody' to unshakeably powerful

He has used a vigorous image and ruthless political strategy to recentralize state power. Some analysts expect he will soon formally return to the presidency.
Russian military triumph leaves pro-West Georgia uncertain

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's failed attempt to retake South Ossetia may cost him dearly in Georgia, one of the strongest US allies in Russia's backyard.
Euro 2008: Russian soccer team revives nationalism

Russia's success in soccer and hockey is credited to petrodollars flowing into sports.
As elections near, Putin assures Russia of a smooth transition

The Russian president hinted for the first time, however, that the balance of power shift in his favor if he becomes prime minister.