Section: The Conversation (USA)
Vladimir Putin: how to understand the Russian president’s view of the world
Vladimir Putin has won re-election by an even greater margin than expected. But he begins his fourth term as president facing antagonism from numerous world leaders over a nerve agent attack in the UK that has hospitalised a former Russian spy and his daughter. The British prime minister, Theresa May, has made it clear that she thinks Russia is...
Russians are starved of alternative viewpoints by their media’s united anti-Western front
When Russia ignored a British government ultimatum to explain whether it was involved in the nerve agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, Theresa May quickly announced a set of measures in retaliation. These include expelling 23 intelligence officers, the freezing of Russian state assets, and a government...
The Byzantine history of Putin’s Russian empire
Russian athletes were conspicuous in their neutral colours during this year’s Winter Olympics and Paralympics due to a ban based on doping allegations. In Vancouver in 2010 and in Sochi in 2014, however, Russia’s Olympic hockey jerseys prominently featured a two-headed eagle exactly where Canada’s jerseys highlighted the maple...
Putin is sure to win, so what’s the point of elections in Russia?
EPA/Sergei ChirikovThe result of the imminent presidential election in Russia won’t surprise anyone. The incumbent, Vladimir Putin, will be reelected for the fourth time until 2024, to become Russia’s longest serving ruler since Stalin. Putin’s victory will be based on two contradictory factors. On the one hand, he is genuinely...
Fearless leader or lame duck? Putin’s certain triumph heralds fresh uncertainty
Russian President Vladimir Putin at a massive rally in his support n Moscow, March 3, 2018 AP/Pavel GolovkinLong before it happened, Russia’s ruling party had already called it “the ultimate victory.” On March 18, Russians go to the polls where they will – without doubt – re-elect President Vladimir Putin to a fourth leadership term. The...
Russian spy attack: how likely is a British cyber offensive against Putin’s regime?
The tension between the UK and Russia following the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia has escalated – with British prime minister Theresa May apparently indicating that a cyberattack could be one option of retaliation against the alleged involvement of Vladimir Putin’s regime. Serious concerns have been expressed...
Russian spy attack: why Britain is limited in how it responds to Russia
It is “highly likely” that Russia was to blame for the attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter using a deadly nerve agent, British Prime Minister Theresa May told MPs. The government is now waiting for a response from Russian diplomats before formulating its response, though Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has already...
Russian election: what to look out for
Russia’s presidential elections are scheduled to take place on March 18. Of the 70 candidates who originally threw their hat in the ring, only eight were able to successfully clear the hurdles of the nomination and registration process. Aside from the incumbent, Vladimir Putin, the candidates include Vladimir Zhirinovsky (Liberal Democratic...
Sergei Skripal and the long history of assassination attempts abroad
Whitehall sources have claimed that the suspected poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal is being treated as a state-sponsored Russian assassination attempt. Along with his daughter Yulia and a police officer who attended the scene in Salisbury where they were found, Skripal was taken to hospital critically ill after being...
Technology and regulation must work in concert to combat hate speech online
shutterstock Online bullying, hate and incitement are on the rise, and new approaches are needed to tackle them. As the Australian Senate conducts hearings for its Inquiry into cyberbullying, it should consider a two-pronged approach to combating the problem. First, the government should follow the lead of Germany in imposing financial penalties...
