the meeting in VladivostokPutin returns to courting Trump, who has remained silent on the threats to EuropeAmerican silence on the acts of sabotage in Germany is emboldening the Kremlin, which continues to see an ally in the White HousebyMicol Flammini3 SEP 26
Blunders at the White HouseThe Moscow-Tehran ‘steel pact’ that Trump is ignoringSophisticated technology transfer extends from the supersonic missile programme to the Russian engineers assisting the Iranians. But the US president prefers to turn a blind eyebyPaola Peduzzi3 SEP 26
Summer with EsterA Decalogue for the End of the WorldWars, AI, viruses, climate change. An anxiety-inducing collection of apocalyptic scenarios without Bruce Willis blasting asteroids to save the EarthbyEster Viola2 SEP 26
meeting in BishkekMoscow’s winter projects need BeijingThe Kremlin leader is focused solely on his war against Ukraine, and in Kyrgyzstan, during his meeting with Xi Jinping, Putin sees his influence in Central Asia evaporate byMicol Flammini1 SEP 26
Reading the enemyPutin is banking on the US’s new approach to AfghanistanAmid the chaos Trump has caused in the Middle East, the Kremlin is relishing its opportunity to act against Ukraine. It is a case of déjà vu, reminiscent of when Russia thought the time was right for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The US president’s plans and objectives regarding Tehran, and Moscow’s new line of attacks against KyivbyMicol Flammini29 AUG 26
In EurasiaDistancing itself from Putin becomes government policy in ArmeniaIn Nikol Pashinyan’s new government programme, Moscow loses its status as a strategic ally. Yerevan is turning to the EU, the US and new partners, whilst seeking to break free from its dependence on Russia for trade, gas and railwaysbyMichele Crestani29 AUG 26
those who knew and those who didn’tPutin’s reaction following Ratcliffe’s visitOne must read between the lines of the propaganda to understand what, according to the Russians, is the role of a CIA station chief in Moscow. Differences between the war the Kremlin is preparing for in the coming months and Trump’s expectations byMicol Flammini27 AUG 26
Words for our times /7The true, disarming strengthTo us, those behind the Iron Curtain were dissidents. They preferred to call themselves ‘differently minded’. By thinking and living differently, they had done the simplest thing: in an unfree country, to behave like free peoplebyAdriano Dell’Asta22 AUG 26
endless warThose who do not want to hand soldiers over to Putin’s winterThe Kremlin leader is aiming to expand his army ahead of winter, through domestic mobilisation and contracts with foreign soldiersbyMicol Flammini20 AUG 26
The analysisHow Putin’s Russia uses the ‘Rodina method’ to stamp out dissentThe Yabloko party has been subjected to a carefully orchestrated campaign: a barrage of absurd allegations, ranging from copyright infringement to foreign funding. This is how authoritarian situationism is reshaping the Russian political landscape. The next victimsbyGiovanni Boggero19 AUG 26
