Russia
Mongolia in the middle: China and Russia may split over the allure of renewables
Mongolia, sandwiched as it is between China and Russia, the world’s two most powerful authoritarian states, is unlucky. Its rich solar and wind potential may prove to be a curse,…
Australians stand with Ukraine – but attention won’t last indefinitely
Even before Russia’s weekend of upheaval left people wondering what to think, Australian attitudes towards the war in Ukraine have proved fascinating. Australians might have a…
Prigozhin’s mutiny: What does it mean for Putin – and Russia?
The crisis occasioned by Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin’s short-lived mutiny is over, but real uncertainty and questions about the future remain – for all involved.
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What does Wagner’s revolt mean for the future of Russia?
How quickly things can change in authoritarian societies.
The internecine spat between Russia’s armed forces and the Wagner Group, led by the bombastic Yevgenyi Prigozhin, has…
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: Why and why now?
Bogged down in a grinding war of attrition in eastern Ukraine, and now facing a counter-offensive by Kyiv, Russia’s folly and miscalculation in invading its neighbour last…
Chemical weapons: Impunity is killing deterrence
In May of 2023, as anticipation of a long-awaited Ukrainian counter-offensive was building, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy touched down in the blistering heat of Saudi Arabia. This…
Russia’s ally Kazakhstan turns eyes to the West
Kazakhstan, Russia’s nominal ally in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), seeks to strengthen economic and political ties not only with the West, but also with…
It’s time Australia branded Russia’s Wagner Group a terrorist organisation
The French parliament has recently designated Russia’s Wagner Group, led by Vladimir Putin’s “chef” Yevgenyi Prigozhin, as a terrorist organisation. Paris has called for the wider…
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is spurring a transition of global order
With the Russian invasion of Ukraine now well into its second year, its far-reaching implications are becoming ever more evident.
Start with the obvious: by sharply aggravating…
China to the rescue, with peace plans for Saudi, Iran, Russia, Ukraine and Afghanistan – up to a point
In another sign of its increasingly prolific international diplomacy, China last month released an 11-point position paper on the “Afghan Issue”. China’s Afghan démarche came just…