Eastern Europe

Breaking Up Is Good to Do

Southern Sudan is just the beginning. The world may soon have 300 independent, sovereign nations ... and that's just fine.

BY PARAG KHANNA | JANUARY 13, 2011

The Verdict Is In

The re-sentencing of Russia's No.1 dissident, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, wasn't unexpected, but the sheer brazenness of it is a striking and dangerous sign of bad things to come.

BY JULIA IOFFE | DECEMBER 30, 2010

Next Christmas in Chernobyl

Nuclear blast zones, floating landfills, volcanic moonscapes, and other must-visit destinations for the disaster tourist.

BY SUZANNE MERKELSON | DECEMBER 23, 2010

Lukashenko's Nine Lives

On the eve of elections in Belarus, the long-lasting dictator shows that he still has a few tricks up his sleeve to keep his grip on power.

BY LUDMILA KRYTYNSKAIA | DECEMBER 17, 2010

Life Under Europe's Last Dictator

On the eve of Belarus's Sunday presidential elections, FP looked at eight brave activists fighting for a better future. By Monday, at least six of the eight had been beaten, imprisoned, or gone missing. We continue to update their stories.

BY ANNA NEMTSOVA | DECEMBER 16, 2010

The Third Wave of Russian De-Stalinization

Is the Kremlin finally coming to terms with its dark history?

BY MASHA LIPMAN | DECEMBER 16, 2010

The Wheels of Injustice Grind Slowly

Why did the Kremlin once again postpone the verdict in the trial of Russia's No. 1 dissident?

BY JULIA IOFFE | DECEMBER 15, 2010

Planet Gulag

The world has many Liu Xiaobos. Here are 15 who matter.

TEXT BY FREEDOM HOUSE | DECEMBER 9, 2010

Russia's Not-So-Odd Couple

Politicians and pundits won't stop telling us that Medvedev and Putin are at odds. Keep dreaming.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | NOVEMBER 24, 2010

The Bomb Squad

Are Senate Republicans really crazy enough to blow up Barack Obama's nuclear nonproliferation agenda?

BY JAMES TRAUB | NOVEMBER 19, 2010

The Pause Button

If the Senate kills New START, is Obama's Russia policy dead, too?

BY DMITRI TRENIN | NOVEMBER 17, 2010

Adding Insult to Murder

Moscow's gross lack of justice and accountability one year after the death of Sergei Magnitsky is a call to action -- and Washington should honor its human rights rhetoric with firm sanctions.

BY DAVID J. KRAMER | NOVEMBER 15, 2010

The Russians Return

Russia's back in Afghanistan, this time in cooperation with the West -- but do objectives really align?

BY JAMES KIRCHICK | NOVEMBER 10, 2010

Oleg Kashin's Horrible Truth

A journalist is beaten nearly to death in Moscow. Is this a deliberate crackdown, or something more subtle -- and more sinister?

BY JULIA IOFFE | NOVEMBER 6, 2010

Divide and Conquer

How the Kremlin schooled Russia's feuding democrats, again.

BY JULIA IOFFE | NOVEMBER 3, 2010

From Russia With Blood

C.J. Chivers talks with Foreign Policy about the Kalashnikov, the world's real weapon of mass destruction.

INTERVIEW BY CHARLES HOMANS | OCTOBER 15, 2010

Battle in Belgrade

Is Serbia Really Ready to Join the European Union?

BY JAMES KIRCHICK | OCTOBER 11, 2010

Travel Writing Ain't What It Used to Be

If you like your adventure stories devoid of any eating, prayer, or love, try the classics.

BY JESSA CRISPIN | OCTOBER 5, 2010

Pulling a Putin

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili may be preparing to steal a play from his archrival's playbook in order to keep his grip on power.

BY MAGDALENA FRICHOVA GRONO | OCTOBER 4, 2010

How Vova and Dima Spent Their Summer Vacation

Russia’s ruling tandem spend some time apart.

CAPTIONS BY JOSHUA KEATING | AUGUST 25, 2010

Why Russia Matters

Ten reasons why Washington must engage Moscow.

BY JAMES F. COLLINS, MATTHEW ROJANSKY | AUGUST 18, 2010

The Georgia Syndrome

Two years after a disastrous war, Tbilisi is booming, but Georgians remain on edge, for one overriding reason: They're not sure Barack Obama loves them enough.

BY JAMES TRAUB | AUGUST 13, 2010

For Natasha

Russia's human rights activists are bowed but not broken.

BY ANNA NEMTSOVA | JULY 26, 2010

Why Kosovar Independence Is Good For Serbia

Thursday’s court ruling could be a blessing in disguise for the Serbs.

BY DAVID BOSCO | JULY 23, 2010

Soccer Explains Nothing

Stop looking to the World Cup for history lessons. It’s just a game and, frankly, that’s good enough.

BY SIMON KUPER | JULY 21, 2010

Angle of Defection

Was Shahram Amiri's return to Iran politically motivated, or was he just miserable?

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | JULY 16, 2010

Rise of the Hungarian Right

With Web-savvy "radical nationalism" -- and a dash of anti-Semitism and Roma-baiting -- firebrand politician Gabor Vona has touched a chord among Hungary's disaffected and disillusioned young voters.

BY MICHAEL J. JORDAN | JULY 13, 2010

The World's Worst Theme Parks

Where not to take the kids on your summer vacation.

BY BENJAMIN PAUKER | JULY 4, 2010

The Long Emergency

Barack Obama's administration is taking an expansive, ambitious approach to global health. Does that mean giving up on combating HIV/AIDS?

BY ELIZABETH DICKINSON | JUNE 25, 2010

The Worst of the Worst

Bad dude dictators and general coconut heads.

BY GEORGE B.N. AYITTEY | JULY/AUGUST 2010