International News, Analyses & Opinions
Putin’s Gambit - How Lukashenko’s madness strengthened Russia’s grip on Eastern Europe
Opinion Analysis by Joelle El Sheikh, Featured Writer and Francesco Pitzalis, Contributor
On the 23rd of May, The President of Belarus, Aleksander Lukashenko, hijacked a Ryanair Plane in order to abduct dissident Belarusian journalist, Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend, Sofia Sapega. Dubbed “Europe’s last dictator”, Lukashenko’s airborne antics are the embodiment of his obsession with maintaining power. The hijacking also consolidated Lukashenko’s alliance with Vladimir Putin. With European sanctions thus far failing to obstruct the Putin-Lukashenko alliance, we analyze what it might take to stop further Russian expansion into Eastern Europe.
Putin, Navalny, and Russian Democracy - Between means and ends
Opinion Analysis by Gaia Bchara, Featured Writer
Alexei Navalny’s rise within Russia’s political scene has made headlines around the world. Navalny isa Russian anti-corruption, anti-Kremlin critic, activist, politician, and former presidential candidate. Most recently, Navalny scored himself a new title: prisoner. His imprisonment comes at the heels of an assassination attempt – allegedly mandated by Russian authorities – last December. Support of the Kremlin’s harshest critic have poured in since his poisoning. Although the authoritarian nature of Putin’s rule is undeniable, some scrutiny of Russia’s vigorous opposition leader is in order.