In a previous post and VPR commentary, I related how my friend Boris in Moscow speculated that, after the December Duma election, Russia would hold a national referendum and appoint Putin Tsar. Apparently TIME magazine beat Russia to the punch.

A review of the life and work of Boris Yeltsin.

Russia's population is in steady decline. So you would think it natural that the country would welcome immigrant workers. You'd think...

Do recent nationwide demonstrations in Russia signal a new faith in public action to foment political change?

Background and current information regarding the Russia - Belarus merger and why the former Soviet state is of importance to Russia.

Complete English text of President Putin's official response to the December 13, 2001, announcement of the withdrawal from the ABM Treaty by the US.

Germany's efforts to occupy the Soviet Union during WWII and executions of thousands of Jews on Russian soil.

Russia deserves concessions from the US in return for its support regarding Afghanistan and other issues.  Should Putin have secured this political payments up front?  What, if anything, will he take home from the November summit?

In 1919, after two failed Socialist Internationals, Lenin decided that there was a need for a new organization to bring solidarity among the working class; the Communist International was born.

A series of articles which deal with Soviet foreign policy. In Part One, we make our way through a series of treaties, pacts and secret alliances during the years leading up to WWII and Germany's attack on Russia.

Editor's picks of books about Russia's government.

Do you think the Cold War was over? Existing tensions between Russia and the U.S. regarding missile defense and NATO expansion are increasing. Is it possible for both to protect their interests against perceived threats without becoming a threat to each other?(originally published Feb. 2001)