Will 2026 Be the Year Putin Tries to Exit the War in Ukraine — and What Could Push Him to Do So
At present, experts see no reason for the Kremlin leader to end the war, despite the high costs and heavy losses.
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“The King Lives, But the King Is Gone”: How Mohammed bin Salman Became the Arab World’s Most Powerful Politician
Officially, 89-year-old Salman remains the monarch. However, his public activity has nearly ceased, and updates on his health have become rare.
While Russia Makes Promises, China Delivers: How Beijing Became Cuba’s Main Patron
Chinese projects are not just promises — they’re changing lives on the ground by providing electricity, jobs, and a glimpse of stability.
How Much Could Iran Earn From Controlling the Strait of Hormuz?
Iran’s proposed $1–$2 per barrel transit fee could generate up to $14 billion annually, shifting costs to Gulf exporters while posing legal risks tied to sanctions on the IRGC.
How the Middle East war could trigger a global economic crisis
It is reasonable to assume that the conflict may drag on. If so, the impact will not be limited to commodities markets. Energy sits at the core of modern industrial systems, and through petrochemicals it connects — directly or indirectly — to almost every sector of the global economy.
Kremlin pushes parties into public sparring before Duma election
The idea, the people said, is not to shake up the system, but to make it look less static. Officials want more noise, more visible friction and a stronger sense of political movement — while keeping the result broadly under control.
Workload on Russian Teachers Keeps Rising
The burden on Russian teachers continues to grow — and it may increase even further in the coming months. The reasons go beyond staff shortages and chronic underfunding in the education system.
Iran and Venezuela as Mirrors for Russia’s Elite
Russian elites are watching developments in Iran and Venezuela with unusual attention, treating both countries as possible models for how ruling groups behave under mounting external pressure and deepening internal crisis.
Russia May See Oil Revenue Surge Amid War Around Iran
According to Bloomberg, after global benchmark prices climbed above $100 per barrel, the additional income is likely to start showing up in Moscow’s export earnings.
Frozen Russian Assets and Aid to Ukraine: The EU Balances Politics and Market Trust
The European Union is finding it ever harder to agree on a mechanism to finance support for Ukraine using frozen Russian assets.
Russian Liquidation Commission Seeks to Seize Google’s Assets in France
According to Bloomberg, this episode is another sign of how quickly the traditional mechanisms of international legal cooperation are eroding.
Lukoil Under Pressure: U.S. Blocks Gunvor Deal, Opening Path for Rosneft Takeover and Loss of Foreign Assets
The U.S. blocked Lukoil’s €14 billion asset sale to Gunvor, intensifying sanctions pressure and paving the way for a potential Rosneft takeover.
Lada Aura’s “Bad Aura”: Why the B-Segment Sedan Failed to Win Over Russian Buyers
The Lada Aura sedan has landed with a thud: fewer than 800 cars have been sold so far.
