Latest Articles about Domestic/Social
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Moscow’s Empty Promises on Far East Could Undermine Government Credibility
As more people die in eastern Ukraine in the fighting between government forces and Russia-backed rebels, Moscow seems determined to pursue its internal economic goals despite the damage already caused by the West’s sanctions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, on October 19, that his... MORE
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Moscow Launches Second Effort to Marginalize Crimean Tatar Mejlis
Because the Crimean Tatars and their assembly, the Mejlis, have opposed the Russian Anschluss of their homeland since the beginning, Moscow and the Russian occupying authorities on the Ukrainian peninsula have attempted to break it by banning some of its leaders, harassing others, and raiding... MORE
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Russia Pushes Kyrgyzstan to Adopt Draconian Legislation Ahead of Joining Customs Union
On October 15, Kyrgyzstani lawmakers in the Jogorku Kenesh (Kyrgyzstan’s parliament) voted on an “anti–gay propaganda” bill to criminalize and impose up to year-long prison sentences for distributing information about homosexuality or LGBT issues that is reflected in a positive light. The bill was overwhelmingly... MORE
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Dagestani Clans Replicate Themselves Despite Government Efforts to Eliminate Them
On October 21, the authorities in Dagestan announced that the head of the Dagestani branch of the Russian Federal Service for State Registration, Cadaster and Cartography, Adam Amirilaev, had stepped down from his position and was replaced by his deputy, Rizvan Bulatov (to05.rosreestr.ru, October 21).... MORE
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Former Editor-in-Chief of Lenta.ru Launches New Media Project From Latvia
Galina Timchenko’s new Russian-language news media project, the website Medusa (medusa.io), was launched on October 20, in Riga, Latvia. Timchenko’s project became an intriguing topic in the Russian press after she was fired this March from her position as editor-in-chief of the news agency Lenta.ru,... MORE
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Number of Disillusioned North Caucasian Militants Returning From Syria Increases
International observers have paid much attention to the fact that many foreigners are fighting against the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad. Tunisia holds first place among the countries of Asia and Africa, supplying volunteer fighters to the Syrian opposition forces (i100.independent.co.uk, September 11). Of the... MORE
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Belarus Is Asserting Its Own Voice
On October 17, President Alyaksandr Lukashenka conducted a 5.5-hour-long press conference for Russian provincial journalists. This was the 12th event of its kind. The first one occurred in 2002, when Lukashenka realized that neither he nor Belarus is a darling of the Moscow media. An... MORE
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The Geography of Discontent: Tunisia’s Syrian Fighter Dilemma
In June, Tunisia’s interior minister said that at least 2,400 Tunisian jihadists are fighting in Syria. The majority of them, about 80 percent, are allegedly fighting within the ranks of the Islamic State organization, previously the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), although some... MORE
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The End of the Road for Xi’s Mass Line Campaign: An Assessment
The end of the mass line campaign’s second phase this month provides an opportunity to understand more clearly what has been happening politically at the grassroots level in China over the last year. The Chinese press has reported at length on the crackdown against Chinese... MORE
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Political Factions and Spicy Ginger: Elder Networks in PRC Politics (Part 2)
Part 2: The Patronage Network of Hu Jintao Jiang shì lao de là: “Aged ginger is spicier” Chinese proverb meaning that older people possess more experience and wisdom. The triumph of Jiang Zemin in elevating prominent protégés into the ranks of the Politburo Standing Committee... MORE