Russia’s forever war

Putin’s attempt to restore Russia to superpower status (derzhava) by annexing Ukraine has been shattered, as Ukraine’s stubborn resistance has sapped both Russia’s military and economy, and Putin’s blustering contempt for national and international norms only underscores his own fears and paranoia.

Bringing it all back home

Ukraine’s success in holding off the Russian invasion and launching daring attacks deep into Russia itself has forced Putin to radically scale back his May 9 propaganda parade amid signs that domestic opposition to the war is growing.

The Russian resistance

You could be forgiven for thinking everyone in Russia either supports the war in Ukraine or is too scared to do anything about it but a handful of brave Russians still oppose Putin’s tyranny both at home and abroad.

No one will forget

One year on from Alexei Navalny’s death in Putin’s gulag, most Russians still support their brutal dictator, but the truth remains that while Putin was always terrified of Navalny, Nalvalny was never afraid of Putin.

What does Putin want?

Donald Trump has urged Vladimir Putin to end the fighting in Ukraine but a long-term, durable settlement in Ukraine will require Washington and its European allies to face up squarely to Moscow’s more confrontational and expansive ambitions.

Understanding Russia

This essay examines the sources of Russian power and aggressive outlook from an historical, cultural and geopolitical perspective to help predict Russia’s future behaviour.

Hey, Vlad! China is not your friend

China has positioned itself as an ally of Russia in Putin’s brutal war of conquest in Ukraine, but over time demographic, economic and strategic realities suggest it will be China that dominates Russia.

The trial of Vladimir Putin

In his new book “The Trial of Vladimir Putin”, barrister Geoffrey Robertson dramatises what might happen within the walls of a future courtroom if the Russian dictator and war criminal was ever brought to justice for his imperialist assault on Ukraine.

The martyrdom of Alexei Navalny

The murder of Alexei Navalny was designed to intimidate Russia’s opposition before Russia’s fraudulent election but merely confirmed Navalny’s status as a martyr in the eyes of the world and Russian history.

A sham election in a hollow state

Having murdered or imprisoned anyone who dared stand up to his murderous rule, Vladimir Putin will install himself for yet another term as Russian President this weekend, driving his country ever further down a dark road of repression, aggression and decay.

Under his thumb

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has never understood why Ukrainians want to control their own destiny or choose a free democratic future as part of Europe rather than cling to the memory of Soviet suppression.

Keep on fighting

Stalinist show trials and the murder of opposition figures show the depth of Soviet-style repression in Putin’s Russia but the death of Alexei has not dimmed the resolve of his wife and other dissidents to ‘keep on fighting’.