Demonstrations in support of a third term for President Vladimir Putin were held across Russia, including Chechnya, on October 24. As Kommersant noted on October 25, while both the Kremlin and the pro-Kremlin United Russia party claimed the demonstrations were spontaneous actions “from below,” members of Russia’s political opposition claim …

As oil prices surged to another record ($93.56 per barrel), energy analysts said Russia has become a critical player in the world oil and gas market. Richard Herold is director of international affairs of the London-based oil multinational, BP, which has large investments in Russia.

The freedom of religion and consciousness and the role of religious organizations in Kyrgyzstan were discussed at an OSCE conference in Bishkek on 29 October.