Carnegie Politika

Putin’s Post-Election Reshuffle Advances Russian State Erosion

The pressures of war are gradually warping Russia’s system of governance, making it more vulnerable to a future crisis.

Turkmenistan’s Ruling Duo Is Having a Family Feud. Will Their Regime Survive It?

Ex-president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov remains interested in politics, but his son Serdar, Turkmenistan’s current president, is becoming increasingly independent and willing to break with his...

Stalled at the Front, Russia Seeks to Undermine Ukraine’s Economic Capacity

Russian strikes are weakening the economy sustaining Ukraine’s war effort. Closing the growing funding gap will require more European support and politically contentious reforms in Kyiv.

How Will Trump and Putin’s Diesel Deal Impact Russia and Global Markets?

Without a ceasefire with Ukraine on attacking each other’s energy infrastructure—to which the Kremlin is unlikely to agree—the diesel agreement between Putin and Trump is largely for show, rather...

In the Kremlin’s AI Propaganda Blitz, the Noise Is the Signal

Russia’s AI-driven propaganda campaigns operate in a fragmented, chaotic, and often illogical manner. That’s not necessarily a problem for the Kremlin, though: It’s much easier to mimic genuine...

Russian Indoctrination in Occupied Ukrainian Schools Is a Sham

Despite a new textbook, an influx of Russian teachers and managers, and an end to the teaching of Ukrainian, the Kremlin is unlikely to have “reprogrammed” locals.

What Happened in Russia’s 2026 Parliamentary Elections?

Podcast host Alex Gabuev is joined by Farida Rustamova, author of the Vlast newsletter dedicated to Russia’s domestic politics, to discuss the 2026 State Duma elections, what’s new, and what to...

Who Is Funding Russia’s War in the 2027 Budget?

For every ruble allocated to social policy, health, and education in 2027, double that amount is earmarked for the army, the police, and the security services.

Leaving Russian-Speakers Without Representation Is a Risk for Latvia

If the Russian-speaking community in Latvia cannot articulate their interests without being seen as disloyal, they could end up embracing a pro-Kremlin agenda.

Animal Tested by Leonid Bershidsky: A Utopian Novel for the Instagram Age

Blurring the line between humans and animals is a long-standing tradition in social utopian prose. In his latest novel, Leonid Bershidsky reminds us that in social experiments, people are often...

Inside the World of Russia’s Elites

Ten Years After Karimov’s Death, How Much Has Uzbekistan Really Changed?

In the tenth year of his presidency, President Mirziyoyev’s system is becoming even more personalized than that of his predecessor Karimov.

The Kremlin Can No Longer Postpone Hard Economic Decisions

Depleted financial reserves and a shrinking tax base mean it is no longer possible to simultaneously deliver high defense spending, price stability, and economic growth.

How the Kremlin Turned Tech Whiz-Kid VK Into a Loss-Making State Corporation

The war in Ukraine and a change in ownership led VK to neglect its commercial ventures in favor of implementing the Kremlin’s online agenda. Now it’s been sanctioned by the EU.

As It Turns 25, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Reflects the New World Order

With the growth in points of friction between the great powers, organizations like the SCO will continue to play a role in the strategic adaptation of the smaller powers caught between them.

Fedorov’s Challenge to Zelensky Could Upend Ukrainian Politics

With his public call for new elections in Ukraine, ex-defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov has opened Pandora’s box.