Topic: Moscow

All Content

G8 wraps with progress on tax evasion - but not on Syria

The summit leaders agreed to crack down on money laundering and illegal tax evasion, but Russia and the West remain at odds over how to resolve the Syrian civil war.
'G7 plus one'? Isolated Russia holds line on Syria.

The G8 summit ended today with Russia far from agreement with the West over how to resolve the Syrian civil war. Russian experts say the rift is probably permanent.
Taking page from East Germany, Putin launches new 'Popular Front'

The new organization, which experts say is likely modeled on East Germany's National Front, gives Putin a grassroots extra-parliamentary machine aimed at consolidating his popularity.
Gay pride fines: Russa passes anti-gay bill in 436-0 vote

Russa's 'gay pride fines' impose hefty fines for providing information about the LGBT community to minors or holding gay pride rallies. Individuals will be fined up to 5,000 rubles ($156) and 1 million rubles ($31,000) for a company, including media organizations. Foreign citizens arrested under the new law can be deported or jailed for up to 15 days and then deported.
Do you know Chechnya? Take the quiz

Before Chechnya made headlines as the ancestral land of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, it had gone largely unnoticed in the American press. How much do you know about it?
In tweak to US, Russia would 'consider' asylum for Snowden

The NSA whistleblower's revelations let the Kremlin criticize Western 'double standards,' say experts. But the Russian government has shown little tolerance for its own whistleblowers.
Opinion On Iran's nuclear program, Obama should take a cue from JFK and 'go first'

Fifty years ago, John F. Kennedy announced the US would stop nuclear tests in space. The move was meant to build trust for negotiations with the Soviets, and it worked. President Obama should follow the JFK example by, for instance, waiving some sanctions on Iran.
Russian Navy to deploy Mediterranean fleet in bid to protect national security

Russian Navy: Putin said the plan should not be seen as saber rattling, but it comes as Moscow is serving as a key ally and arms supplier to Syrian President Bashar Assad during that nation's civil war.
Opinion Why US must give military aid to Syria's rebels

The war in Syria is at a turning point. Backed by Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah militants, Bashar al-Assad has the upper hand. Ending the war requires backing him into a corner from which peace talks provide his only safe escape. US military aid for the rebels can help do that.
Global News Blog Kremlin 'outraged' by electoral fraud... in Eurovision song contest

Allegations of voter fraud in Russia are nothing new. But this time it's the Kremlin making them.
Kremlin orders Russian pollster to register itself as 'spy'

Russian prosecutors say that the Levada Center must register as a 'foreign agent' – a term synonymous with 'spy' in Russian – because 3 percent of its budget comes from abroad.
Moscow terrorist attack foiled

Moscow attack foiled: Russian special forces killed two men and detained a third believed to have been planning a terrorist attack in Moscow.
With Hezbollah's help, Syrian troops push to regain Lebanese border areas

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 30 people, including 16 rebel fighters and one woman, were killed in Qusair in morning fighting, but that the death toll was expected to rise.
Iran's chief nuclear negotiator: we're being asked to make all the sacrifices

Saeed Jalili, Iran's top nuclear negotiator and a contender in the June presidential election, sat down with the Monitor to share his views about an 'unbalanced' nuclear offer made by world powers.
Decoder Wire Russia spy case: Was US diplomat set up? (+video)

From the ill-fitting wigs to wads of cash and a 'recruitment letter,' the whole affair seemed more like a spy scene from a Judd Apatow comedy than a brooding John le Carré novel.
Russia arrests US diplomat accused of spying

A young US diplomat at the embassy in Moscow was arrested by Russian authorities on allegations he was spying and seeking to induce a senior Russian official into betraying his country for cash.
Israel, US try full-court press to stop Russian weapons sale to Syria

The US and Israel argue the introduction of Russia's S-300 antiaircraft missile system could be a 'game changer' for the regime.
Terrorism & Security A flurry of diplomacy over Syria, but will it amount to progress?

There is concern over a Russian missile shipment to the Assad regime, but cautious optimism persists in some Western capitals over a planned international conference on Syria.
Global News Blog US balks as Russia prepares to deliver missiles to Syria (+video)

Israel says Russia is preparing to deliver anti-aircraft missiles and launchers to the Assad regime, which the US warns will further destabilize a troubled region.
The Real North Korea

Are North Korea’s leaders insanely ideological – or merely pragmatic?
Latin America Monitor Move over Beyoncé: Another American explores Cuba, 'people to people'

Like Beyoncé and Jay-Z, the Monitor's Linda Feldmann travels Cuba on a 'people to people' tour. Since 2011, such trips have had the sanction of the Treasury Department – a legal way for Americans to see the long-forbidden island.
Global News Blog 'Puppet-master' Putin advisor is shown the Kremlin door

Vladislav Surkov was once one of the president's most influential and deft advisers. His forced resignation suggests the Kremlin may be pursuing blunter ways of manipulating the political landscape.
Russia steps up pressure with 'foreign agent' campaign

The Russian government's list is growing of NGOs being targeted for receiving some foreign funds. No major NGOs have agreed to the label, suggesting a wave of shutdowns may be looming.
Opinion Syria – another sign that US needs to recalibrate Middle East policy

As the US backs into Syria and other Mideast crises, China is proactively and strategically engaging in the region. Its actions point out what America has to lose if it continues to hesitate in the Middle East.
At Kerry-Putin meeting, US-Russia relations thaw – a little

Secretary of State John Kerry sought to ease diplomatic tensions with Russia in preparation for meetings between Putin and Obama later this year. But Syria remains a major sticking point.