In My Humble Opinion

By Viktor Bogorad 18/08/2012 15:32

Once upon a time — a few years ago — I decided that a look at the семь смертных грехов (seven deadly sins) would be culturally enlightening and personally edifying

Greed Is Not Good

By Viktor Bogorad 13/08/2012 13:11

What was singer Andrei Makarevich expecting when he wrote a letter last week to President Vladimir Putin about the widespread corruption in the country?

Patriots Are Destroying Russia

By Viktor Bogorad 02/08/2012 20:13

State Duma Deputy Ilya Ponomaryov from the Just Russia party came up with an interesting proposal last week. He submitted a bill to the Duma that would hold deputies, senators and governors criminally liable if they don't disclose their foreign bank accounts, real estate, securities and other foreign investments.

Why Putin Wants to Punish Pussy Riot

By Viktor Bogorad 01/08/2012 12:58

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has made his second public statement regarding the Pussy Riot case. His first comment was in an interview to five Russian television networks in April. He said that in carrying out the stunt at Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral, the members of Pussy Riot got exactly what they wanted — popularity.

United Russia Gets a Little Help From Its Friends

By Viktor Bogorad 25/07/2012 08:50

Novaya Gazeta published documents last week that are widely believed to have been written by top members of the presidential administration. The documents provide a good snapshot of how an authoritarian regime strengthens monopoly political control while trying to keep the semblance of free elections.

United Russia's Spy Mania

By Viktor Bogorad 20/07/2012 12:08

Some may have thought that the battle against "foreign agents" ended when the State Duma passed amendments to the law on nongovernmental organizations last Friday, the day before lawmakers adjourned for their summer recess. But even on vacation, the more ardent United Russia deputies simply couldn't rest as long as foreign agents were roaming around Russia, destabilizing the country.