SPECIAL REPORT: Regional Elections Rundown
BMB Russia teams up with Verisk Maplecroft to bring you a look at United Russia’s (rather dismal) results in local elections. Continue reading SPECIAL REPORT: Regional Elections Rundown
Regional Elections 2018 Look-ahead: An interview with Ben Noble
What to expect in this weekend’s vote, and what the results may mean. Continue reading Regional Elections 2018 Look-ahead: An interview with Ben Noble
Billboard Baggins: A look at political advertisements in this year’s regional elections
A tour of political advertisements around Russia. Continue reading Billboard Baggins: A look at political advertisements in this year’s regional elections
Capital Trap: What authorities should fear if Sergei Sobyanin wins reelection
Moscow receives 25 percent of the expenditure budget of all of Russia’s other regions’ budgets combined. What could that mean for the political stability of the country? Continue reading Capital Trap: What authorities should fear if Sergei Sobyanin wins reelection
The Hotline: August 2018
What did Helsinski bring to the table? Nothing really substantial. Continue reading The Hotline: August 2018
Wagner in the C.A.R: who blesses the Russian mercenaries down in Africa?
By Sean Crowley On 27 July 2018, three Russian journalists – Orkhan Dzhemal, Aleksandr Rastorguyev, and Kirill Radchenko – arrived in the Central African Republic. They were in country to film a documentary about the shadowy Russian private military firm the Wagner Group for the Information Control Center, an initiative bankrolled by Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovskiy. After unsuccessfully pursuing leads for the first few days … Continue reading Wagner in the C.A.R: who blesses the Russian mercenaries down in Africa?
Georgia(’s presidential election) on my mind
By Steven Luber The Republic of Georgia will hold a presidential election this October, an important test for the government after ratifying a new constitution in September 2017. The new electoral system, the prominence of non-traditional candidates, and a perennially complex relationship with neighboring Russia make the election worth watching. In early August, French-born diplomat Salome Zurabishvili announced her candidacy with an independent affiliation. Approximately … Continue reading Georgia(’s presidential election) on my mind
Charlotte’s VEB: Beijing feigns partnership with bank play
By Nicholas Trickett Putin’s visit to Beijing in June bred the usual dog and pony show of effusive and warm statements about Sino-Russian ties. But the details, as usual, told a different story. In particular, a tentative agreement that China Development Bank (CDB) loan Vneshekonombank (VEB) roughly $10 billion was an eye-catching PR ploy to highlight bilateral cooperation on infrastructure projects. But the terms of … Continue reading Charlotte’s VEB: Beijing feigns partnership with bank play
Russia’s new game plan: civilian tech deals. How will it hold up against US and China?
Russia signs civilian technology MOUs with Sudan, Mongolia, Zimbabwe and Egypt: four countries where Russia faces competition with the US and China. Continue reading Russia’s new game plan: civilian tech deals. How will it hold up against US and China?
The Hotline: July 2018
By Lincoln Pigman US President Donald Trump’s controversial performances at various summits in July—the NATO summit in Brussels and Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki—have been widely hailed as victories for Russia. But while the optics of a divided transatlantic alliance certainly favor Russia, Trump’s actions have and will continue to undercut Russia’s interests in significant ways. Trump’s open attacks on both … Continue reading The Hotline: July 2018