Russia’s current conflicts reopen battles over past

     

  Secrets were forbidden in camp Perm-36. Guards searched everywhere for them, even in prisoners’ eyes, ears and teeth, notes analyst Francesca Ebel. Ukrainian poet Vasyl Stus, imprisoned in the Soviet… Read more »

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Iran’s election wasn’t about moderation or democracy

     

The elections in Iran confirm that the Syrian crisis has taught Iranians who are otherwise eager for change a few lessons, Harvard University researcher Amir Mahdavi writes for The Washington… Read more »

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Labor unrest surges in China

     

  China’s ruling Communist Party is facing an upsurge in labor militancy and social unrest, notes China Digital Times: Amid an economic downturn and a plan to streamline the state-owned sector, the Chinese… Read more »

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Russian NGO sues state TV over espionage claims

     

A Russian environmental NGO targeted by Moscow’s foreign agent law and dogged by treason charges against its leader, is pushing a slander suit again a state broadcaster for saying it… Read more »

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US envoy condemns Cuba rights record: Obama playing a long game

     

Deputy US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today condemned a surge in arrests of activists in Cuba, three weeks before President Barack Obama’s historic trip to the Communist-ruled island: Addressing… Read more »

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Russians not fundamentally illiberal – unlike Putin

     

Contrary to some analysts’ suggestions that Russian culture and history have fostered a predisposition towards authoritarian rule, new research suggests otherwise. The evidence emerging from a cross-country comparison of attitudes… Read more »

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Human security in the face of violent extremism

     

If we are serious about countering extremism and addressing the gross human rights violations being committed by groups like Isis, a comprehensive, coordinated approach – which engages not only governments… Read more »

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World’s most fragile states threaten global stability

     

  The states of Libya and Syria have deteriorated the most over the last decade, posing the greatest threats to global stability, according to the Fragile States Index. “Reflective of… Read more »

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Kosovo edging closer to anarchy?

     

Scenes of violence at Kosovo’s parliament during which opposition MPs released tear gas to prevent the election of a new president were “extremely worrying“, said the European Union: The protests… Read more »

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