Latest Articles about politics

Kremlin’s New Moves Towards ‘Internet Sovereignty’

Executive Summary: The Kremlin instituted restrictions on the civilian use of virtual private networks (VPN) and U.S.-built technology at the beginning of September, ostensibly fearing that the U.S. government is using the technology to sow internal discord in Russia. The Russian Duma approved legislation on... MORE

Non-Russians Increasing Their Share of Russia’s Population

Executive Summary: Non-Russians in the Russian Federation are increasing their share of the country’s population despite decreasing in absolute numbers because the decline in the number of ethnic Russians is far greater. This proportional increase reflects higher fertility rates among non-Russians than among ethnic Russians... MORE

Georgian Dream Consolidates Power Following Municipal Elections

Executive Summary: The ruling Georgian Dream party won an overwhelming victory in Georgia’s October 4 municipal elections, capturing all 64 mayoral seats amid an opposition boycott, low voter turnout, and minimal international monitoring presence. Critics allege the elections were manipulated to fabricate a competitive image... MORE

‘Mainlander’ Narratives Dominate Kuomintang Leadership Race

Executive Summary: Leading candidates in the KMT party chair elections strongly self-identify as Chinese and are advocating to resolve cross-Strait tensions with a dialogue approach rooted in the 1992 Consensus. Notably lacking amongst the leading candidates is someone who represents the “Taiwanese” faction of the... MORE

Reports From Regions Show the Cost of Putin’s War Outside Moscow

Executive Summary: The proportion of deaths in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine among men from non-Russian republics and from poorer but predominantly ethnic Russian regions has been far higher than among residents of Moscow and other large cities. Putin’s adoption of the Soviet-era... MORE