Politics
A close look at the inner workings of authoritarian power in Russia and beyond, and the forces that could one day transform it: how the Kremlin holds and wields power, why the democratic opposition endures, and what a genuine political renewal would take
Genocidal Doublethink: The Kremlin and the Holodomor
On Saturday, November the 7th, once the biggest holiday in the Soviet Union with the possible exception of Victory Day, the blue and gold Ukrainian flag was everywhere,…
Putin’s hostage Savchenko is awaiting her fate
This week the trial of Nadiya Savchenko has started. Free Russia Foundation has contributed to all the global efforts of #FreeSavchenko and worked a lot with her legal…
Syria forces Obama to talk with Putin again
Three weeks ago, when it became clear that Russian military supplies were being sent to Syria, the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the United Nations in…
The GOP debate: attention shifts from Ukraine to Syria
On Wednesday night, Americans tuned into the second round of Republican Party debates. It didn't take long for the simmering tensions between the United States and Russian Federation…
Russia’s Elections: Pantomime for the Establishment, Practice for the Opposition
Russia’s regional elections, held Sunday, proceeded more or less as expected for this pseudo-democracy. Election season began with specious disqualifications of the opposition Democratic Coalition parties from the…
Putin’s values pose old and new existential threats to the West
Vladimir Putin is coming to the General Assembly (GA) of the United Nations this month. This visit has sparked a discussion about his motives and intentions among Russian-speaking…
U.S.—Russia relations after 2016: isolation, engagement or confrontation?
With so many presidential candidates in the U.S., there is a great deal of media attention and public discussion. There hasn't been too much said about where the…
Will the Burning of Food Lead to a “Conflagration” of Russia?
For nearly a week now, food products that fall under sanctions have been destroyed in Russia. Obviously, such a decision has provoked massive dissatisfaction among Russians and for the…
Democratic Coalition: what next?
After a total wipe-out of Democratic Coalition candidates in this year's Russian regional elections, questions arise as to the further political strategy of Russian Democrats confronting Vladimir Putin's…
Undesirables
A few days ago, Russia’s Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian Parliament, adopted a new federal law. It was quickly coined the “law on undesirable organizations.” The…