In August 2025, Vladimir Putin abolished the president’s office for cultural relations with foreign countries, which promoted “soft power” (and in fact, espionage), and instead created the presidential office for strategic partnership and cooperation (USPS). As The Insider found out, the structure and tasks of the new management are almost …

The file of northeastern Syria, defined by negotiations and clashes between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), is nearing a decisive stage, following a military operation that led to broad control by the Syrian army, backed by Arab tribes, across eastern Syria. While the war is being …

The U.S. is using diplomatic and economic carrots to project influence in a region that Russia has long regarded as its backyard. Vice President JD Vance visited Armenia and Azerbaijan from February 9 to 11, making him the highest-level U.S. official to visit either country. The trip signaled a sharper …