Russian Activist Takes Less Traveled Road In Fight For Civil Rights

Thousands of Russians are preparing to take to the streets on March 20 for nationwide rallies against worsening living conditions and official corruption. But not all activists will join in. Some, like prominent civil rights lobbyist Vyacheslav Lysakov, say civil disobedience is the wrong tactic. More

Flight Of Iran's Critical Voices Shows Joke Isn't Funny Anymore

As many Iranian journalists and bloggers have been arrested in a government crackdown on dissent that began after the presidential election, dozens more have been driven into self-imposed exile abroad. One is Alireza Rezaei, a well-known blogger whose humorous take on even the worst aspects of the postelection protests gained him a wide following. More

Hopes Raised Anew About Future Of Nabucco Gas Pipeline Project

The EU-backed Nabucco natural gas pipeline has experienced a roller-coaster ride in recent years. At times it appeared the project was close to being scrapped, but shareholders have steadfastly maintained Nabucco is a viable way to deliver non-Russian natural gas to Europe. Several events at the start of this month have again raised hopes about the project. More

Public Panic, Opposition Anger Over Report Of Mock Invasion In Georgia

Georgians reacted with fear and in some cases panic to a mock television report that claimed that invading Russian tanks had crossed the border and were heading for Tbilisi, and that Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili was dead. More

Vulnerable Kandahar Reels After Blasts

The beleaguered southern Afghan city of Kandahar is in mourning after a series of bombings in that killed at least 30 and wounded 50 more. More

Russia's Motor City Fights For Survival

As Moscow launched its own "cash-for-clunkers" program this week, it was aimed squarely at bolstering Russia's automotive leader, AvtoVAZ. The Lada manufacturer employs over 100,000 people and has hovered near bankruptcy since Russian car sales plunged last year. More

EU Will 'Always' Remain Kyiv's Main Priority, Ambassador Says

Ukraine's EU ambassador says integration with the bloc will remain the country's overriding policy objective under President Viktor Yanukovych. More

Mykola Azarov: Yanukovych's Right-Hand Man

Ukraine's new prime minister, Mykola Azarov, gets angry when reminded he's a geologist by training. He prefers to think of himself as a political animal. More

Why Is Iran Releasing Some Postelection Detainees?

Several prominent detainees arrested in the wake of Iran's postelection unrest have been freed from prison. But Iranian authorities' motivation in freeing the prisoners remains unclear. More