Analysis: The UN Fails Syria

The veto cast by Russia and China on Saturday blocked action by the United Nations Security Council to back the Arab League’s initiative to stop the killing and facilitate a political transition in Syria.

Tens of thousands protest in Moscow against Putin

Undeterred by subzero temperatures that froze their breath and left icicles adorning many men’s mustaches and beards, tens of thousands of Russians marched through the streets of Moscow on Saturday demanding fair elections just a month before they are to go to the polls to choose a new president. (more…)

Putin points to U.S. role in Gadhafi’s killing

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accused U.S. drones and special forces of involvement in the death of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in comments Thursday.

He also attacked U.S. Sen. John McCain over a warning that Russia might follow the same path as Libya, suggesting McCain was not of sound mind following his time as a prisoner during the Vietnam War. (more…)

Russian parliament speaker quits after election protests

Longtime Russian parliament speaker Boris Gryzlov, the day-to-day head of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s ruling United Russia party, said on Wednesday he would not take his seat in the State Duma lower house elected last week.
(more…)

Billionaire Prokhorov to Challenge Putin for Russian Presidency

Billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov said he’ll run for president against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in March elections after the biggest anti-government demonstrations in a decade emboldened Russia’s opposition.

“This is the most important decision of my life,” the New Jersey Nets basketball team owner told reporters in Moscow. (more…)

Medvedev orders Russia poll inquiry, gets insults

President Dmitry Medvedev ordered an investigation on Sunday into allegations of fraud in Russia’s parliamentary election, one day after tens of thousands of protesters demanded it be annulled and rerun. (more…)

Russian elections spark protests by opposition, Putin supporters

Police hauled away about 300 protesters Monday night after thousands of demonstrators gathered near a metro station chanting “Russia Without Putin” and “We Need New Elections.”

The protest, the largest opposition gathering in years, follows a poorer-than-expected showing by Prime Minister Vladi­mir V. Putin’s ruling party in Sunday’s parliamentary election. (more…)

Russian voters deal Putin and party an election blow

Russian voters dealt Vladimir Putin’s ruling party a heavy blow on Sunday by cutting its parliamentary majority in an election that showed growing unease with his domination of the country as he prepares to reclaim the presidency.

Incomplete results showed Putin’s United Russia was struggling even to win 50 percent of the votes, compared with more than 64 percent four years ago. Opposition parties said even that outcome had been inflated by fraud. (more…)

Russians vote in election test for Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin’s ruling party could see its vast parliamentary majority cut back in elections that began Sunday in the icy tundra and sparsely-populated swathes of Russia’s far east.

At polling stations from the Arctic to the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the election will indicate the scope of fatigue with Putin’s 12-year rule just three months before he asks voters to endorse his return to the Kremlin as president. (more…)

Putin plots his return to Russia’s presidency , Q/A

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has announced he wants to return to the presidency in an election in March.
Following are some details of his strategy and what the outcomes might be:

What is Putin’s plan? (more…)