How corrupt has Russia become under Vladimir Putin's rule? According to a new report by top opposition politicians, corruption over the past decade surpasses that of the so-called wild 1990s.
Celebrated Iranian filmmaker Rafi Pitts, whose political thriller "The Hunter" was nominated for Berlinale's prestigious Golden Bear award in February 2010, says one of the reasons he made a thriller was to reflect the suspense he sees building up in Iran.
Brussels should slap tough economic sanctions on Alyaksandr Lukashenka's regime in Belarus. That is the message of Natalya Kalyada, co-founder of the campaigning Belarus Free Theatre, who together with the members of her ensemble are considered to be public enemies in their home country.
In recent years, celebrated playwright Tom Stoppard has made common cause with opposition activists in Belarus, collaborating with the Belarus Free Theater. Stoppard spoke with RFE/RL writer at large James Kirchick on the sidelines of the annual Brussels Forum international affairs conference.
Human rights groups and other NGOs are inaugurating an EU-backed forum on civil society they hope will have a say in relations with Moscow. But the activists from Russia and European countries taking part face an uphill struggle to pressure a Kremlin that has periodically paid lip service to reform while maintaining its growing grip on power.
With a reputation as one of the Middle East's most ruthlessly authoritarian regimes, few thought the wave of Arab revolt would affect Syria. But now President Bashar al-Assad is facing the biggest crisis in his 11-year rule following a wave of demonstrations that have left dozens dead. Yet despite Syria's staunchly anti-Western stance, the fall of Assad's regime would likely not be welcomed by the United States or Israel.
The breakaway Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh unilaterally declared independence in 1991, a move not recognized by any country to date. But in hopes of raising its profile, the territory's de facto government has opened an office in Washington to push for official recognition.
In December, Belarusian presidential candidate Ales Mikhalevich was arrested along with fellow candidates and hundreds of supporters as they protested the controversial reelection of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, the man dubbed "Europe's last dictator." This month, Mikhalevich fled Minsk and was granted political asylum in the Czech Republic. In an exclusive interview with RFE/RL, he vowed to pursue justice after the government's crackdown and said he sees a moment of opportunity for the opposition.
A Georgian ship languished for 11 months in the Libyan port of Misurata, as its stranded sailors slowly starved. But then the fighting began -- giving them a now-or-never chance to break free.
In the wake of an ongoing crackdown in Belarus and a dizzying political transformation in North Africa, the European Union is retooling its approach to its immediate neighborhood.
Pakistan's prime minister has announced he is accepting an invitation to watch a key cricket match in India this week.
Kosovo's Prime Minister Hashim Thaci sees echoes of his country's own history in the unfolding events in Libya.
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