Topic: Vladimir Lenin

The Monitor's View: Christmas in Newtown: restoring childlike innocence

A big Christmas tree in Newtown, Conn., has become a memorial site for the Sandy Hook children killed at their elementary school. Many faiths use a Christmas-like embrace of an innocent child to help them in troubled times and restore the promise of purity.

Focus
A Russian island encircled by Europe: Kaliningrad's dual existence

Once the Prussian city of Königsberg but now separated from the rest of Russia by Lithuania and Poland, Kaliningrad occupies a peculiar space in Europe both geographically and psychologically.

What America's flawed democracy could learn from China's one-party rule

Democracy has its problems. The world – especially the US – could learn from China's 'political meritocracy.' Its one party selects leaders based on ability and judgment. They balance the interests of an entire country – and the world, not just finicky voters or big donors.

Peter Carl Fabergé: How Communism crushed the Faberge egg

Peter Carl Fabergé created a jeweled-egg empire, commemorated Wednesday by a Google doodle. But as the Russian Revolution toppled the Czar, it also upended the famous line of Imperial Faberge eggs.

Inside North Korea's big birthday bash

To mark what would have been the 100th birthday of the North Korean founder, thousands came to Pyongyang to view elaborate displays. Most North Koreans got three days off for the party.

US-Russia 'reset' gets a boost with Russian offer of airbase

Russia has made an unprecedented offer that indicates a desire to improve ties ahead of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.  

Revolution possible if democracy wasn't embraced, Russian presidential candidate says

Mikhail Prokhorov is challenging current Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin for the presidency in March.

North Korea not the only offender: 6 official photo fudgings

As state manipulators of the media go, few can compare to North Korea, which found it necessary to doctor an official photograph of Kim Jong-il's funeral procession. 

Just as governments are finding it easier to use technology to manipulate images, so too is the public finding it easier to spot such digital trickery. Here are six noteworthy attempts by governments to shape media coverage through image manipulation.

Defying Putin: 7 Russians to watch

Tens of thousands of Russians marched in the streets in December to protest vote-rigging. From this movement, fresh leaders are emerging in Russia, without the Kremlin's backing.

Diego Rivera: honoring a big Communist with a Google doodle

President Obama, Occupy protesters, and even the Muppets have been accused of communist leanings.  But Mexican muralist Diego Rivera was the real thing.

Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman

Biographer Robert K. Massie gives us a Catherine the Great who is ever interesting and intelligent – but not necessarily admirable.

What's next for India's Communist Party?

The distrust of the Communist Party, once a powerhouse in parts of India, could signal a major change in Indian politics. Here's what its leaders plan to do to keep their old mission alive.

How Russians survived militant atheism to embrace God

Today, less than 20 years after the collapse of the officially atheistic Soviet Union, Russia has emerged as the most God-believing nation in Europe. That's a testament to the devotion of babushkas who kept the flames of faith alive in the face of state-sponsored repression.

My Perestroika: movie review

As the USSR collapses, ‘My Perestroika’ follows its upheaval on five Russian children coming of age.

Russians shouldn’t bury Lenin until they uncover his lies

Russians must face up to Lenin’s brutal legacy – as Germans did Hitler’s.

Opinion: Failed revolutions: Mao’s China, Lenin’s Russia, Khomeini’s Iran. Is Egypt next?

What's the true test of a revolution's success? The new constitution. Unfortunately, Egypt’s military assigned a commission of experts, not elected representatives of the people, to draft a new constitution – threatening to derail reforms those in Tahrir Square fought so hard to win.

Goodbye Lenin? Russians consider burying former Soviet leader's corpse (finally).

The body of former Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin has been on display in downtown Moscow for 87 years. A growing number of Russians appear finally willing to bury him.

Fall of Giants

Ken Follett’s “Century Trilogy” is off to a strong start with "Fall of Giants" – a massive, compelling story of World War I.

Putin praises DiCaprio as 'real man' after harrowing journey to tiger summit

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio narrowly escaped two plane crashes en route to a five-day tiger summit hosted by Putin, who is no stranger to derring-do himself.