Eastern Europe

Embarrassment of Riches

Natural resources would seem to promise easy money. Welcome to the dark side.

BY PETER PASSELL | FEBRUARY 9, 2012

Putin Without Putinism

Everyone assumes that Vladimir Putin will win Russia's presidential election next month. But can his iron fist survive his victory?

BY ANDERS ÅSLUND | FEBRUARY 8, 2012

Talking to the Vanguard

Conversations with the new wave of Russia’s civil society opposition.

BY LEON ARON | FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Putin Is Already Dead

The sweeping protests that have riled Moscow signal the end of Russia's strongman, but the real gains will require millions to adopt the project of democracy and dignity.

BY LEON ARON | FEBRUARY 7, 2012

Cold Snap

Images of Europe in the full force of a deep freeze.

BY HANNA TRUDO | FEBRUARY 3, 2012

The Cynics at the Gates

The world is more prepared to stop atrocities than ever before, but it is still unwilling -- or unable -- to actually bring those atrocities to an end.

BY JAMES TRAUB | FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Is Putin's Fake Rival the Real Deal?

Everyone thought billionaire playboy Mikhail Prokhorov was just a patsy for Vladimir Putin to run against and crush. But what if he wins?

BY SIMON SHUSTER | FEBRUARY 3, 2012

Brothers in Arms

Vladimir Putin's stubborn support for the Syrian regime is intended to shore up his faltering support within Russia.

BY MICHAEL WEISS , JULIA PETTENGILL | FEBRUARY 2, 2012

Why Putinomics Isn't Worth Emulating

Don't let the Russian economy fool you: It's still all about oil.

BY PETER PASSELL | JANUARY 27, 2012

Will There Be a Central Asian Spring?

Kazakhstan may not be ripe for revolution, but the West is making the same mistakes it made in the Arab world.

BY JOANNA LILLIS | JANUARY 26, 2012

Dances with Thieves

If the West is really serious about combating corruption in the rest of the world, it can start by cleaning up its own act.

BY ANNE APPLEBAUM | JANUARY 12, 2012

The End of Putin

Alexey Navalny on why the Russian protest movement will win.

INTERVIEW BY JULIA IOFFE | DECEMBER 28, 2011

War Dogs, Boomtowns, and Dead Dictators

Foreign Policy’s most popular photo essays of 2011.

DECEMBER 28, 2011

Won't Get Fooled Again

With unprecedented protests in Moscow this weekend, Russia's growing opposition movement is making it clear they won't stand for Putin's march to power.

BY JULIA IOFFE | DECEMBER 24, 2011

The Man Who Got Russia Right

Washington has a long tradition of misreading Moscow. As Putin teeters, it’s worth recalling George Kennan, the best Kremlinologist America ever had.

BY SUSAN B. GLASSER | DECEMBER 23, 2011

Vaclav Havel Walks into a Nightclub

My one night at a rock concert with the Czech dissident, artist, and president.

BY CHARLES HOMANS | DECEMBER 19, 2011

Vaclav Havel, Man of Whimsy

In memory of a natural dissident -- and an accidental president.

BY JEFFREY GEDMIN | JAN/FEB 2012

Project Prokhorov

From the right angle, the Russian oligarch almost looks like a real presidential candidate. He's not.

BY SHAUN WALKER | DECEMBER 14, 2011

To the Barricades

From Tahrir Square to Wall Street to the Kremlin, 2011 was a year when politics was conducted in the street.

DECEMBER 14, 2011

Game Change

From reciprocal nuclear reductions to making nice with Iran, 5 bold moves that could change the world.

BY STEPHEN M. WALT | DECEMBER 13, 2011

Next Year, in Review

From the fall of Ahmadinejad, Assad, Castro, and Chavez to the rise of cyberattacks -- the top 13 stories that could dominate the headlines in 2012.

BY DAVID ROTHKOPF | DECEMBER 12, 2011

The Decembrists

No one's quite sure what's going on in the streets of Moscow -- or what to call it -- but it's growing and powerful ... and could all end badly.

BY JULIA IOFFE | DECEMBER 9, 2011

Now Hear This, Moscow

It’s time for President Obama to talk tough about Russia’s rigged parliamentary elections.

BY DAVID J. KRAMER | DECEMBER 8, 2011

Soviet Streets

Want to know what Eastern Europe is thinking these days? Check out the writing on the wall.

CAPTIONS BY ALEXIS ZIMBERG, NICHOLAS VAN BEEK | DECEMBER 6, 2011

Northern Distribution Nightmare

Tensions in Pakistan are running high. So, to resupply U.S. troops in Afghanistan, Washington’s having to cut deals with some very unsavory regimes.

BY DAVID TRILLING | DECEMBER 6, 2011

#OccupyMoscow

Protesters crying foul, armoured vehicles in the streets -- is this what an election victory looks like in Putin's Russia?

BY JULIA IOFFE | DECEMBER 6, 2011

The Anti-Putin Brigade

Portraits of Russia's would-be revolutionaries -- and their intimate thoughts on Vladimir Putin and the country's dark political future.

PHOTOS BY KIRILL NIKITENKO | DECEMBER 5, 2011

The Axis of No

How the Arab Spring made accidental allies out of Moscow and Beijing. 

BY DMITRI TRENIN | NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Building a Better Turkey

Anatolia is booming, but some Turks are finding that their country’s new model for prosperity is rigged.

BY PIOTR ZALEWSKI | NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Burning for the Cause

From Tunisia to Tibet, self-immolation is now -- tragically -- back in vogue as a dramatic means of protest. But does it really work?

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | NOVEMBER 17, 2011