Russian Election Boosts Putin, Sparks Protests

Staff / Truthdig Dec 4, 2007 The results of Sunday's parliamentary election in Russia, which resulted in a sweeping victory for Vladimir Putin's United Russia party and signaled that the president will stay in power beyond the end of his second term next spring, are being questioned on a national and international scale. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bush Gets Mugged

Mike Luckovich / Truthdig Nov 22, 2007 Dig deeper

Putin: I’m Not Going Anywhere

Staff / Truthdig Nov 13, 2007 Although term limits require Russian President Vladimir Putin to step down in May, many, including chess wizard and opposition leader Garry Kasparov, have speculated that he will find some way to maintain his influence. Putin, it seems, agrees, saying that if his party wins the next election, he will have the "moral right to hold those in the Duma and the Cabinet responsible for the implementation" of his policies. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Putin Warns of a New ‘Missile Crisis’

Staff / Truthdig Oct 26, 2007 Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Bush's proposed missile shield in Europe could create a situation analogous to the Cuban missile crisis. He added, "It's not the same and we're not enemies. I can call President Bush my friend. But we've put forward solutions and we haven't yet received any answer." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Mosaic on Bush’s World War III ‘Threat’

Staff / Truthdig Oct 20, 2007 The Mosaic Intelligence Report tackles Bush's heated rhetoric about Iran and the connection with the president's chilly relationship with Russia. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bush Warns of “WW III” If Iran Gets Nukes

Staff / Truthdig Oct 18, 2007 Let's review these key ingredients from a White House news conference on Wednesday and see if they remind us of anything, shall we? We had: President G. W. Bush -- check! Fear-mongering about weapons that a Middle Eastern nation is allegedly developing -- check! Accusations from the Bush administration about said Middle Eastern nation lying about said weapons to the U.N. -- check! Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

UK Joins Grab for Polar Territories

Staff / Truthdig Oct 17, 2007 While Russia is leading the race to claim the North Pole for itself, Britain has decided to expand its territory on the other end of the world, in Antarctica. The British Foreign Office says it has no immediate plans for the additional 1,000 square miles of seabed, but simply wishes to "safeguard for the future." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Putin and Ahmadinejad: Two Amigos

Staff / Truthdig Oct 16, 2007 Continuing to broadcast a clear message of disapproval to the U.S. regarding its foreign policy and commercial interests abroad, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran on Tuesday to discuss Iran's nuclear program and to present a unified front against Washington's possible plans vis-à-vis Iran. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bush and Putin Still on the Outs

Staff / Truthdig Oct 13, 2007 George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin used to have a loving relationship, but the two have grown cold and distant in recent years. Bush blames Russia's deteriorating democratic process, while Putin is upset because the U.S. wants to build a missile shield on his doorstep. Bush's friend Condi stopped by Moscow to try to smooth things over, but it looks like it didn't go too well. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Arctic Land Grab Update: Russia Claims Victory

Staff / Truthdig Sep 21, 2007 Russian officials say they have proof to back up Moscow's claim to the north pole -- and nearly half a million square miles of neutral Arctic territory -- but don't expect Denmark, Canada and the U.S. to go down without a fight. It's all part of a nakedly opportunistic attempt to cash in on energy resources made available by global warming and melting ice caps. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The 10 Most Polluted Places in the World

Staff / Truthdig Sep 15, 2007 The Blacksmith Institute, a U.S.-based environmental group, has identified the 10 most polluted places on the planet. Cities in Russia, China, India, Zambia, Peru, the Ukraine and Azerbaijan made the list, which focuses on the impact pollution has on the local population. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Putin Disbands Russian Gov’t

Staff / Truthdig Sep 12, 2007 President Vladimir Putin dissolved the Russian government in a move designed to clear out the upper levels of power before his expected exit from office in the spring. Among those ousted in Wednesday's Kremlin shakeup was Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, who may be replaced by his first deputy prime minister, Sergei Ivanov. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )