Russia

Beijing’s bad bet on Moscow
Beijing’s bad bet on Moscow
Beijing must be suffering from a severe case of buyer’s remorse. China’s leaders may speak the language of steadfast “no limits” support to Moscow, yet they are surely…
Unleashing chaos: Nova Kakhovka Dam destruction threatens global food security
Unleashing chaos: Nova Kakhovka Dam destruction threatens global food security
The partial destruction of the Nova Kakhovka Dam in southern Ukraine’s Kherson region on 6 June represents another blow to global food security. Located on the transboundary…
Mongolia in the middle: China and Russia may split over the allure of renewables
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
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?
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.  …
What does Wagner’s revolt mean for the future of Russia?
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?
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
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
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
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…