Brian Whitmore is the author of RFE/RL's popular Power Vertical blog, written especially for Russia wonks and obsessive Kremlin watchers, and the host of the weekly Power Vertical Podcast.
When Russia formally recognized the independence of Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions eight years ago this week, it was a harbinger.
The very idea of an independent Ukraine is offensive to Vladimir Putin, who has famously said that Ukraine "isn't a real country."
So Russia has now killed more civilians in Syria than Islamic State.
We're about to learn where Vladimir Putin really wants to take Russia.
Twenty-five years ago this summer, Russia held its first -- and arguably last -- free and fair presidential election.
The Daily Vertical is a video primer for Russia-watchers that appears Monday through Friday.
Despite the annexation and occupation of Crimea, despite more than two years of war in the east, and despite constant pressure and intimidation from Moscow, Kyiv has remained defiant. So now Russian President Vladimir Putin has apparently decided to up the ante and reset the conflict.
Eight years ago, Georgia's government apparently started a war with Russia -- even though Georgian troops never left Georgian territory.
So by now the holes in Russia's story about an alleged Ukrainian terror plot in Crimea are big enough to drive a truck through.
Well, so much for the idea of an Olympic truce.
You've really got to hand it to Sergei Lavrov for being able to say the things he says with a straight face.
Amid all the excitement over Russia's apparent hacking of the Democratic National Committee's e-mail servers, one thing really jumped out at me.
When Belarusian voters go to the polls to elect a new parliament in September, it should come as no surprise to anybody that Aleksandr Lukashenka is planning to fix the vote.
It's probably a good idea to keep a close eye on those tough guys standing behind Vladimir Putin sporting sunglasses and dark suits. Because you never know where one of them will pop up next.
Load more
