Peter Zalmayev

The Saakashvili saga exemplifies how easily one can stray from democratic promise to semi-authoritarian rabble rousing.

A dangerous populist political game in Ukraine is threatening the stability of the government.

Ukraine deserves to break out of the “sick man of Europe” mould, known primarily for the protracted war and corruption.

The doping scandal is the latest in a string of misadventures in Putin’s pursuit of Soviet-style greatness.

The ignominious end of Rakhat Aliyev, Kazakhstan’s most feared man, heir apparent, sugar czar, fugitive.

Did Boris Nemtsov, the bogeyman of Russia’s rising nationalism, push his luck by provoking Putin repeatedly?

Ukraine stands on the precipice of war as pressure mounts on Putin, seen as ‘saviour’ of the Eastern Slavic world.

By issuing ultimatums and then failing to follow up, Kiev has further emboldened the rabble-rousers.

Even without an armed conflict, Russia’s Crimean adventure has set it on a course of protracted collision with the West.