VIDEO REPORTS
THE POWER VERTICAL: Reactionaries Of The World, Unite!
In its bid as global champion of traditional values, Russia this week prevented the UN Security Council from thanking Secretary Ban Ki-moon for protecting LGBT rights.
Moscow's 'NKVD' Restaurant Leaves A Bad Taste
Moscow's 'NKVD' restaurant has removed its sign following outrage that it was named after Stalin's notorious secret police.
Sarajevo Holds Emotional Rally For Besieged Aleppo Civilians
Residents of the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, recalling the city’s bloody siege during 1992-95 held a solidarity rally for civilians trapped in the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo.
Fostering Hope In A Bosnian Women's Prison
Women serving prison sentences in Bosnia are being encouraged to work, create art, socialize, restore family ties, and raise their children while behind bars.
VOX POP: Will You Vote For Aleksei Navalny In The 2018 Presidential Elections?
Most respondents to an informal poll in Moscow said they were unlikely to vote for him, citing proposals of his they said are “populist,” “radical,” and pro-opposition. A few didn’t know who Navalny is. One Navalny supporter said if the U.S. can elect Trump, “why can’t we elect Navalny here?” (in Russian)
OTHER NEWS
EU Leaders To Discuss Ukraine, Syria, Brexit At 'Minefield' Summit
EU heads of state and government are meeting in Brussels on December 15 for a one-day summit to discuss a "minefield" of issues, and are expected to prolong sanctions against Moscow through July 31.
Medvedev Promises Economic Growth, As Putin Promised
Citing structural changes and successes in the country’s agricultural sector, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told journalists on December 14 that Russia’s economy will achieve 4 to 4.5 percent growth in 2017. (in Russian, Current Time TV)
Russia Deports American Accused In Massive Wall Street Cybertheft
An American man whom U.S. prosecutors have accused of organizing the largest known cyberattack on Wall Street has been deported from Russia to the United States.
Ukraine Unprepared To Counter Cyberattacks
Commenting on the numerous, recent cyberattacks targeting Ukrainian government websites, experts say the country’s failure to implement international standards of cybersecurity and a comprehensive control system have left it vulnerable. (in Ukrainian)
Azerbaijan State Oil Platform Collapses In Caspian Sea
Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR says one oil worker has died and nine others are missing after part of an offshore platform fell into the Caspian Sea on December 15.
Suspect In Alleged Montenegrin Coup Posts Photo With Lavrov
A suspect in an alleged plot to assassinate pro-Western Montenegrin politician Milo Djukanovic has posted a photograph of himself standing near Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov this week in Belgrade.
Kazakhstan Vows To Keep Pursuing Ablyazov After French Extradition Refusal
Kazakh authorities say they will continue their efforts to prosecute fugitive tycoon and opposition figure Mukhtar Ablyazov and his associates despite his release from custody in France.
11th-Century Poem Threatens Longer Sentence For Imprisoned Tajik Lawyer
Tajik lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov, already serving a 23-year prison sentence on charges widely seen as politically motivated, now faces additional jail time for reciting an 11th-century poem in court.
Turkmen President Berdymukhammedov Nominated For New Term
Turkmenistan's dominant party has nominated incumbent President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov as its candidate ahead of the Central Asian nation's February 12 presidential election.
Turkmen Schools To Teach President’s Wisdom
The Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights reported on December 13 that teachers in Turkmenistan are required, as of October, to use quotes and excerpts from The Wisdom Book, one of eight volumes written by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. (in Russian)
Poland’s Jaruzelski Tested By Russia
Thirty-five years after martial law was declared in Poland, Peter Cheremushkin, author of the book, Wojciech Jaruzelski: Tested by Russia, told RFE/RL that General Jaruzelski implemented the regime to avoid “the black scenario” of a Soviet invasion, such as occurred in Budapest and Prague. (in Russian)
Sweden Likely To Reject Russian Request For Harbor Space
Citing security concerns, officials on the strategic Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea said they likely will turn down a Russian request to rent harbor space there.
ANALYSIS: Uzbekistan's Long-Distance Opposition Faces 'Crisis Of Legitimacy'
The transfer of Uzbekistan’s presidency to Shavkat Mirziyaev has raised public expectations for change, and created a crisis of legitimacy for the country’s long-exiled opposition.
POWER VERTICAL: Can Navalny Trump Putin?
Aleksei Navalny is betting that the antiestablishment fever sweeping the West will soon rock Russia.