Topic: Russian Politics

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

3 ways the US can start an economic 'reset' with Russia

After Russian President Vladimir Putin canceled his trip to Camp David for the G8 Summit this weekend, tensions between Russia and the US are running high. The United States must design a new relationship with this often difficult leader and his country. Washington needs a new reset that includes these three key components:
Vladimir Putin 101: A quiz about Russia's president

Vladimir Putin is back in charge of Russia, taking up the office of president for the third time in 12 years. How well do you know Russia's top political figure Take our quiz and find out!
Blast-off: 6 recent missile advances

Missiles have been prominent in the news with India’s successful test, North Korea’s failed one, and much talk of missile defense systems in Europe and the Persian Gulf. Here are six recent noteworthy missile-technology advances.
3 new novels grapple with questions of mortality

Three new works of fiction address themes of mortality, including a ghost – in an Anne Tyler novel.
8 reasons America is not in decline

As many as 70 percent of Americans believe that the United States is in decline. And who can blame them? High unemployment. Crushing debt. Political gridlock. For all the unrelenting gloom, Old Dominion University political science professor Steve Yetiv explains that America remains strong in key areas, unlikely to be superseded by another country anytime soon. He urges readers to consider these 8 facts:

All Content

More sanctions for Syria as US targets bank

The Treasury Department has targeted the Syria International Islamic Bank, which they say has been acting as a front for Syrian banks trying to get around existing sanctions.
Backchannels
The horror in Syria, the cold realities of international action

Syria's civil war is horrific, with most of the crimes committed by the Assad regime and its supporters. This may lead to moral clarity, but not necessarily to international military action.
Ambassador McFaul, driver of US-Russia 'reset,' becomes his own obstacle

US Ambassador Mike McFaul has been a Kremlin target since his arrival – most recently being slammed as 'unprofessional' and accused of spreading 'blatant falsehoods.'
Terrorism & Security
Syria massacre not enough to break UN deadlock over stronger action

Russia's support for a UN Security Council condemnation of this weekend's Syria massacre had raised hopes that Moscow would support stronger action against its ally Assad.
Syrian massacre: diplomats expelled from Western nations

The US, Britain, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Bulgaria all expelled diplomats in response to revelations that more than a 100 people were brutally killed in Houla, Syria, by Assad strongmen.
After Houla massacre, Russia cools toward Syria (+video)

Russia joined UN Security Council members in condemning Syria's government after a massacre in Houla. Some Russian officials speculate the massacre was carried out by rebels to garner sympathy.
Interview with Turkey's Abdullah Gul: Egypt should embrace secularism

In an interview, Turkey's President Abdullah Gul says that Egypt should embrace secularism based on a 'respect for all faiths;' that Russia's role in ending violence in Syria is key and Moscow needs to be engaged to act constructively; and that economic power in the world is shifting.
Syria massacre: a moment of truth to end the lies

The massacre of women and children in Houla, Syria, finally forces Russia to stop defending the denials of Bashar al-Assad in the killing of innocent civilians by Syrian forces.
Global News Blog
Russia claims new missile can overcome missile defenses

Russia says it conducted a successful test of a new missile that is meant to outwit the NATO antimissile shield and has a maximum range of 10,000 miles.
Death of Russian-born boy in US reignites adoption debate

A 9-year-old Russian boy adopted by US parents died in a house fire last week, reminding Russians of several incidents of poor treatment of Russian orphans adopted by Americans.
New Russian cabinet packed with Putin loyalists

Despite promises of 'substantial renewal,' the new cabinet is filled with faces long seen around the Kremlin who will keep Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev hemmed in.
Global News Blog
NATO: European missile shield 'provisionally operational'

If there is any issue that threatens to derail relations with Russia, it's the issue of missile defense. 
3 ways the US can start an economic 'reset' with Russia

After Russian President Vladimir Putin canceled his trip to Camp David for the G8 Summit this weekend, tensions between Russia and the US are running high. The United States must design a new relationship with this often difficult leader and his country. Washington needs a new reset that includes these three key components:
Damaged black box key to Russian jet crash mystery

The cockpit voice recorder, found Tuesday, holds the key to why a brand new Russian Sukhoi Superjet 100 crashed in Indonesia last week. The flight data recorder is still missing.
Russia should be rewarded with NATO membership

Russia should be on the agenda for NATO summit in Chicago this weekend. In spite of recent tensions, the historically fractured relationship between Russia and NATO is the most ripe for transformation. Obstacles like missile defense and Eastern Europe can be resolved.
Russian, French, Italian jobs hang on Sukhoi Superjet crash probe

No survivors have been found at the crash site of the Russian Sukhoi Superjet in Indonesia. A key question: Was it pilot error or equipment malfunction?
With G8 snub, US-Putin 'reset' off to stumbling start

'President Putin expressed his regret that he would be unable to attend the G8 Summit at Camp David on May 18-19,' the White House announced this week.
Putin cancels US summit visit, meeting with Obama

The White House announced Wednesday that Putin is unable to join the other leaders of the Group of Eight industrial nations meeting outside Washington on May 18-19.
Vladimir Putin 101: A quiz about Russia's president

Vladimir Putin is back in charge of Russia, taking up the office of president for the third time in 12 years. How well do you know Russia's top political figure Take our quiz and find out!
Putin steps up to run a vastly changed Russia (+video)

The powerful protests before and during Vladimir Putin's inauguration today signal the fraying image of a Russia united behind its leader.
Editor's Blog
Russia's one-man brand

Like too many Russian leaders, Vladimir Putin's long shadow makes it hard to see the real owners of Russia -- its people.
On eve of Putin's inauguration, protest and reaction bigger than expected (+video)

Russian police cracked down with tear gas and hundreds of arrests after anti-Putin protesters in Moscow tried to cross a barricaded bridge.
Cover Story
Putin inauguration: World view of a Russian feeling dissed

As the second presidential inauguration of Vladimir Putin approaches, a former correspondent who once worked for him looks at the world view of the Russian iron man. His theory: The president is feeling dissed by the West and believes it conspires to "destroy" Russia.
Russia threatens to take aim at NATO's missile defense shield

At a conference in Moscow convened to discuss the NATO missile defense shield, a fierce point of contention between the US and Russia, efforts to find a compromise reached a dead end.
Europe calls Euro 2012 penalty on Ukraine for treatment of Tymoshenko

With Ukraine and Poland preparing to host the Euro 2012 soccer championship, Europe sees it as an opportune time to pressure Ukraine over its treatment of opposition figure Yulia Tymoshenko.