Tag Archives: nationalism

Mobilization, a new statism and the question of time

Eight years into Russia’s war on Ukraine and two months into the present invasion, the perspective of a protracted war and long-term sanctions is increasingly considered on all sides. The invasion has led to significant changes in Russia already, including … Continue reading

Posted in Policies, Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When autumn comes, some bloom anew

The September regional and gubernatorial elections will open Russia’s most important and most unpredictable political season for at least six years. Alexei Navalny, the man who is on his way to make next year’s presidential election be about him without … Continue reading

Posted in Elections, Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A fake new world

In past weeks, it has become increasingly certain that Vladimir Putin is going to run for a fourth term in 2018. He has replaced most of his core team. He ordered his parliament to define Russian identity in a law – … Continue reading

Posted in Elections, Kremlinology, Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Elections matter

In less than a month, Russia will hold elections to the State Duma. These will be the first legislative elections since the scandalous vote in 2011, and the first elections after Russia’s electoral reforms, with half the seats now filled … Continue reading

Posted in Elections, Kremlinology, Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Extremist sports

Competitive sports events, especially football matches, are often said to have taken over the role of wars between states. But seeing English and Russian football hooligans clash in the streets of Marseille, one gets the impression that sometimes this happens … Continue reading

Posted in Policies, Society | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Putin’s Milosevic moment

As the world is gearing up for the upcoming talks between Vladimir Putin, Petro Poroshenko and Western officials in Minsk next week, all sides seem to pretend that time works for them and stakes are higher on the other side. … Continue reading

Posted in Policies, Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Not a golden opportunity

One of the conclusions many have drawn from the tragedy of flight MH17 was that Vladimir Putin now had the golden opportunity to withdraw from Ukraine – a war he had wanted to end anyway – and blame it all … Continue reading

Posted in Policies, Society | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment