Articles

Alexei Navalny: Go to the Russian March Without Me

November 7, 2013

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny did not attend this year’s Russian March, an event where nationalists rally to protest against immigration-related issues. This year, as in the past, there was a strong presence of blatant racism and neo-Nazism, which might explain why Navalny would not want to go. However, Navalny is a nationalist, someone who thinks […]

Navalny The Tightrope Walker

This editorial, translated from the pro-Kremlin Izvestia, attempts to analyze the decision made by opposition leader Alexei Navalny to avoid the “Russian March,” widely attended by Neo-Nazis, for the 2nd year in a row, while still calling his supporters to attend. There are several possible readings of Sokolov’s statements. One reading is that he is […]

U.S. Doesn’t Have Enough Clout to Unify Syrian Opposition

November 6, 2013

The prospects of a Geneva II conference to resolve the Syrian crisis occurring in November are fading, as several key unresolved issues remain. The first is that the Syrian opposition that took to the streets to protest, and later to fight, against Bashar al Assad remains unwilling to negotiate until Assad’s resignation is agreed to […]

Sochi Authorities to Spend $1.4 Million on Olympic Symbols

The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics cost approximately $1.8 billion to put on, and generated over $2.5 billion in gross domestic product. The installation and removal of the signs and symbols at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olmypics will cost up to $1.4 million. The Sochi Olmypics may be the most corrupt sporting events ever held, as […]

Neo-Nazis and Nationalists Rally at the “Russian March”

November 5, 2013

Yesterday, November 4, Russian nationalists gathered for a rally, the “Russian March,” to protest against immigrants and the policies of the Russian government that brings them there. Nazi slogans, racist posters, depictions of migrants as green aliens… some of the worst aspects of Russian society were on proud display. The march is growing in popularity, […]

Moscow Officials Fired in Wake of Race Riots

November 4, 2013

In response to the anti-immigrant riots in the southern Moscow district of Biryulyovo, the Russian government has been forced to act. While almost all of the rioters were released from jail and will have no serious legal consequences, Russian officials have raided the target of the riots, a market and vegetable warehouse in the district, […]

Russian Court Explains Mitigation of Opposition Leader’s Sentence

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny was found guilty of fraud in July, and while he recently lost his appeal, in October his five-year prison sentence was suspended. Now the court has released an explanation for the mitigation of his sentence. Under current election law, Navalny, as a convicted felon, would never be able to hold public […]

“Russian March” is Becoming More Popular

On Monday, November 4th, Russian nationalists will hold a rally, the “Russian March,” to protest against minorities whom they say are ruining the country. Ironically, this is perhaps the opposite of the spirit of the holiday. November 4th is a national holiday in Russia, Unity Day, which commemorates the occasion in 1612 when Russians from every […]

Russia Orders New Armored Anti-Riot Vehicles

November 1, 2013

The Russian Interior Ministry has issued an order for new anti-riot trucks, heavily armored vehicles capable of driving through and dispersing crowds. Tests of these vehicles could begin next month. Riots are increasingly common in Russia. New riots are even possible on Monday. This new order suggests that the Kremlin may be sending a message. […]

Disgraced Russian Defense Minister Seeks Forgiveness

Former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov’s fall from grace is a thread that has unraveled a culture of corruption inside the Russian government. The case also led to the imprisonment, death, and postmortem conviction of Sergei Magnitsky, a case that has set off significant international complications. It began when Serdyukov cheated on his wife with Yevegeniya […]