What Putin’s No. 2 Believes About the West
A secret-service overlord’s delusional outlook becomes the party line in Russia—with global implications.
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Sergei Karpukhin / Reuters The Sanctions Against Russia Are Starting to Work
Economic penalties gain force over time, and for average Russians, the pain is finally setting in.
Contributor / Getty Putin Is Worried, So He Turned to Anti-Semitism
His recent rhetoric targeting Jews suggests that his grip on power may be loosening.
Antonio Masiello / Getty A Neutral Ukraine Is a Dangerous Idea
Even if Kyiv agrees not to align with the West, Putin will have other demands.
Petros Giannakouris / AP What’s Behind Putin’s Dirty, Violent Speeches
Although seemingly spontaneous, the Russian president’s deployment of vulgar language has almost always been intentional and strategic.
The Atlantic ; Kay Nietfeld/Picture Alliance/Getty Putin Pays Backhanded Tribute to Democracy
In his new bid to cling to power, Russia’s authoritarian president pretends to obey constitutional norms.
Alexander Nemenov / AFP via Getty Russian Jokes Tell the Brutal Truth
In a repressive society, dark political jokes allow regular people to describe what they see with their own eyes.
Grigory Dukor / Reuters
