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Crimean Tatars: Back to the Past

Details: Politics

Crimean Tatars: Back to the Past

Details: 04 August 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

In 1944, on Stalin’s orders, the Crimean Tatar people were deported from Crimea to Central Asia in the space of three days. According to analyst Alexander Podrabinek, seventy years later, the Russian authorities are still putting pressure, if not on the entire Crimean Tatar people, then at least on their most prominent representatives, by banning leaders of the Crimean Tatar assembly (or Mejlis) Mustafa Dzhemilev and Refat Chubarov from entering Russia.

The MH17 Crash: Putin’s Geopolitical Defeat

Details: Politics

The MH17 Crash: Putin’s Geopolitical Defeat

Details: 30 July 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

On July 17, a Malaysian Airlines Boeing-777 was downed over eastern Ukraine, a region controlled by separatists. All 298 people on board were killed. It is still unclear who launched the missile, but the international community has blamed the tragedy on Russia. Political analyst Tatyana Stanovaya discusses the geopolitical consequences of the disaster.

New Russian Laws: Can a “Like” Really Send You to Prison?

Details: Politics

New Russian Laws: Can a “Like” Really Send You to Prison?

Details: 14 July 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

On June 30, president Vladimir Putin signed a law introducing several legislative amendments directed at toughening Russia’s laws on fighting extremism. These include imprisonment for funding extremist activities and calling for extremism via the Internet. Analyst Alexander Podrabinek argues that this law is hardly new, and that its goal is to instill nervousness in the public.

Russian Duma Works Miracles

Details: Politics

Russian Duma Works Miracles

Details: 01 July 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

The Russian State Duma continues to put forth a parade of absurd (and widely discussed) legislative initiatives. On June 18, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia proposed the introduction of fines for the “unjustified use of foreign words.” The following day, Oleg Mikheev, a lawmaker from A Just Russia Party, came up with the idea of banning the importation of Keds, ballet flats, and high-heeled shoes into Russia because, according to him, they harm the health of Russian citizens. Author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek discusses the Duma’s latest initiatives.

Russian Governors Rush To Early Elections

Details: Politics

Russian Governors Rush To Early Elections

Details: 25 June 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

Since the beginning of 2014, the number of early gubernatorial elections in Russian regions has been growing. All in all, 30 governors are to be elected on Russia’s nationwide Election Day, with only 11 of them on schedule and the rest in pre-term elections. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya discusses the reasons behind such gubernatorial haste.

The “Bolotnaya Case”: The Third Wave

Details: Politics

The “Bolotnaya Case”: The Third Wave

Details: 10 June 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

The detention of civil society activists still continues two years after the May 6, 2012, demonstrations in Bolotnaya Square. Another series of arrests started in late May and have been labeled the “third Bolotnaya case.” According to writer and journalist Alexander Podrabinek, as long as Russia’s system of power remains unchanged, political repressions will continue to occur.

Ukraine: At a Crossroads Once More

Details: Politics

Ukraine: At a Crossroads Once More

Details: 03 June 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

On May 25 Ukraine held presidential elections to stabilize the country and resolve a serious political crisis. Political analyst Tatyana Stanovaya summarizes the outcome of these elections and analyzes the political challenges that face the president-elect.

The Kremlin’s Bargaining Chip

Details: Politics

The Kremlin’s Bargaining Chip

Details: 03 June 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

The crisis in eastern Ukraine is still developing. The results of the referenda that took place on May 11 show that the majority of residents of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions support secession from Ukraine. According to political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya, unlike the Crimean referendum, the voting in Donetsk and Luhansk is a risky game, the outcome of which is still hard to predict.

The Russian State Duma “Cares” about Children

Details: Politics

The Russian State Duma “Cares” about Children

Details: 01 June 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

In early May, Arkady Ponomarev, a member of the United Russia Party’s faction of the Russian State Duma, introduced a bill that would ban the dissemination of information that “distorts patriotism” among children. According to writer Alexander Podrabinek, teaching “correct” patriotism in schools will be accompanied by restrictions to any ideology alien to the current government.

Useless Parliament

Details: Politics

Useless Parliament

Details: 20 May 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

For its hasty issuance of poorly written laws, the Russian State Duma is often called a “mad printer.” According to writer and journalist Alexander Podrabinek, the current Russian parliament is made up of deputies whose only aims are to please the president and retain their deputy status.

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