Will 2026 Be the Year Putin Tries to Exit the War in Ukraine — and What Could Push Him to Do So
At present, experts see no reason for the Kremlin leader to end the war, despite the high costs and heavy losses.
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“The King Lives, But the King Is Gone”: How Mohammed bin Salman Became the Arab World’s Most Powerful Politician
Officially, 89-year-old Salman remains the monarch. However, his public activity has nearly ceased, and updates on his health have become rare.
The New Silk Roads: How Turkey, China and the EU Compete for Control over the Middle Corridor
How global trade geography is shifting after the start of the war in Ukraine: why the Middle Corridor has become a battleground between Turkey, China, the EU and Russia.
Frozen Russian Assets and Aid to Ukraine: The EU Balances Politics and Market Trust
The European Union is finding it ever harder to agree on a mechanism to finance support for Ukraine using frozen Russian assets.
Russian Liquidation Commission Seeks to Seize Google’s Assets in France
According to Bloomberg, this episode is another sign of how quickly the traditional mechanisms of international legal cooperation are eroding.
Lukoil Under Pressure: U.S. Blocks Gunvor Deal, Opening Path for Rosneft Takeover and Loss of Foreign Assets
The U.S. blocked Lukoil’s €14 billion asset sale to Gunvor, intensifying sanctions pressure and paving the way for a potential Rosneft takeover.
Lada Aura’s “Bad Aura”: Why the B-Segment Sedan Failed to Win Over Russian Buyers
The Lada Aura sedan has landed with a thud: fewer than 800 cars have been sold so far.
Xi, Putin and Modi Show Unity — A Signal to Washington
The leaders of China, Russia and India appeared before the press holding hands and pledging deeper cooperation—a gesture aimed not only at participants of the gathering but also at Washington.
Why the Russia–India–China Reboot Won’t Last
Trump’s trade war has pushed Moscow, New Delhi, and Beijing into a tactical rapprochement. Yet beneath the outward unity lies an old, deep-seated mistrust.
Rubio’s Mission: How Washington Is Building “Security Guarantees” for Ukraine
The administration of President Donald Trump is trying to jump-start the stalled peacea process in the war in Ukraine—and a key role in that effort has been assigned to Marco Rubio.
Russia’s “Deflation” Narrative: Official Statistics vs. Everyday Reality
The Kremlin has been keen to promote a narrative of easing inflation and even deflation. Yet behind the official numbers, a different reality emerges—one of steadily rising prices, shrinking purchasing power, and growing public anxiety.
Cracks in the Heart of Putin’s War Economy: What the Numbers Hide Ahead of the Alaska Meeting
Russia’s economy — reshaped by Vladimir Putin over the past two and a half years to serve the needs of war — is now facing perhaps its most serious crisis since the collapse of the USSR.
Beijing as the New Yalta? Why Trump, Putin and Xi Could Meet on September 3
President Trump gave Putin 50 days. That window began in mid-July and is set to expire around September 1. On September 3, Beijing will host a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
