Politics
Russia’s Snowden Decision Obscures Economic Problems
Russia’s decision to grant temporary asylum to the NSA whistle-blower Edward Snowden did not go over well in Washington. The US response to cancel the bilateral summit in September in
Op-Ed: Boycott the Games
“If all GB athletes wore rainbow flags and Cameron turned up to the Kremlin with a rainbow tie, then that would be great,” said Anna Grigoryeva, 24, a Cambridge student
Op-Ed: Don’t Boycott the Games
“Don’t boycott the Games.” This sentiment can be heard from several sides of the debate regarding Putin’s ban on homosexual athletes competing in Sochi at the Winter Olympics in 2014.
Czech Republic Prime Minister loses confidence vote
Czech Republic Prime Minister Jiří Rusnok lost a parliamentary vote of confidence on August 7 by a count of 100-93 (with seven members absent). This development raises many questions about
Complications Ahead for Afghanistan’s Election Reform
With the Afghan presidential election scheduled for April 2014, just three months after U.S. troops begin withdrawing from the Afghan combat mission, reforms to the previously highly flawed Afghan electoral
Ramadan shows religious freedom deficit in Central Asia
The holy month of Ramadan puts in sharp relief the challenges to religious freedom by secular governments in the former Soviet Central Asian republics. Most notably, this year in Uzbekistan,
Party convention changes Indonesia’s Election
With the Indonesian presidential elections less than a year away, rumours surrounding prospective candidates have already begun. Of the three big parties – Partai Demokrat (PD), Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan
Zimbabwe Remains Calm Despite Election Fraud Allegations
The 31 July presidential election in Zimbabwe pitted Robert Mugabe, the African country’s president for 33 years, against his long-time political rival Morgan Tsvangirai in a contest that, according to
Opposition leader imprisoned in Russia
Alexei Navalny, the most prolific and well-known campaigner against Russian President Vladimir Putin, was arrested in July 2013 on doubtful charges. The anti-corruption activist was prosecuted for a deal he
South Sudan corruption rampant, despite sacked ministers
Over the past few weeks, President Salva Kiir of South Sudan has made several controversial decisions that will mark the history of the two-year-old nation. In an already troubled political
