False flag attacks are usually just that – false
Successful covert attacks by a country on its own people are extremely hard to pull off, and thus extremely rare.
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Discover the latest New Statesman content on Russia, exploring the politics, culture and economy of the nation. Insightful coverage and analysis of the war in Ukraine and Putin’s presidency.
Noam Chomsky: Russia is fighting more humanely than the US did in Iraq
The US linguist on the war in Ukraine, how the West is provoking China and why the UK is “not…
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The New Age of Tragedy
Great-power rivalry, resource scarcity and the crumbling of the liberal rules-based order.
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The end of the liberal delusion
At the turn of the century, Western leaders claimed progress was inevitable. Yet events have contradicted this “faith”.
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China’s wolf-warrior diplomacy is pushing it closer to Russia
The Chinese ambassador to France said that ex-Soviet states don’t have an “effective status under international law”.
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Xi and Putin: are there limits to the “no limits” friendship?
The two leaders seek to remake the global order, while Turkey braces itself for a hotly contested May election.
The world according to Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin
China and Russia are united in an epic struggle against the West – and their leaders seek nothing less than…
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Leaks, lies and strategic offensives
What the leaked Pentagon documents do – and don’t – reveal about where the war in Ukraine is headed.
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Why Russia arrested Evan Gershkovich, with Pjotr Sauer
Can we expect more hostage diplomacy?
Brazil’s stance on Russia is worrying the West
President Lula’s positioning of Brazil as a broker in the war is emblematic of how some of the world’s largest…
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Rachmaninoff’s enduring melodies
In his lifetime, his music was an escape from modernity – 150 years after his birth, the Russian composer bridges…
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Emmanuel Macron’s vision for Europe still doesn’t match reality
As long as the defence of the continent depends on American goodwill, Europe cannot credibly distance itself from the US…
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Inside Ukraine’s Orthodox heart
The holy Monastery of the Caves beneath Kyiv is threatened by war.
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Who is afraid of Martin Heidegger?
Why the most radioactive philosopher of the 20th century still speaks to us.
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Why has Finland joined Nato?
Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine catalysed the most significant security restructure in northern Europe for decades.
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Why the Russian Orthodox Church supports the war in Ukraine, with Katherine Kelaidis
How will this conflict affect the future of the Church?
Vladimir Putin knows that hostage taking works
Russia’s arrest of the American journalist Evan Gershkovich is a disturbing escalation.
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With Belarus, Vladimir Putin continues his nuclear blackmail
Russia’s announcement that it will station nuclear weapons in its neighbouring country is intended to put pressure on the West.
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The meaning of the battle for Bakhmut
Without taking the city Vladimir Putin cannot achieve his war aims.
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Signs of the times
China and Russia are committed to upending the US-led international order. How should the West respond?
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