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How Russia’s Parliamentary Parties Are Preparing for the 2026 State Duma Elections: New People, LDPR, and A Just Russia

Ksenia Smolyakova examines the current standing of three parliamentary parties as they head into the 2026 State Duma campaign
Riddle Political News Week
Bans in a Vacuum
Andrey Pertsev sums up the political week (April 27 — May 3)
Andrey Pertsev sums up the political week (April 27 — May 3)
By Andrey Pertsev
Riddle Economic News Week
What’s the Worst That Could Happen?
Nicholas Trickett’s economic summary of the week (April 27 — May 3)
Nicholas Trickett’s economic summary of the week (April 27 — May 3)
By Nicholas Trickett
Russia’s Digital Crackdown

Oleg Loginov on the Kremlin’s push for full control over Russia’s internet
The ‘Dry Sponge’ of the Russian Economy

Vladislav Inozemtsev on whether Russia can meaningfully revitalize its economy using windfall oil and gas revenue
No place to hide a deficit

Andras Toth-Czifra: the growing pain points in Russia’s regional budgets
Dividends of Chaos: Why the Crisis Around Iran Is Both Beneficial and Dangerous for Russia

Nikita Smagin on how the war with Iran is reshaping Moscow’s regional strategy
Whose War Is This?

Alexey Uvarov on Western politicians' approach to engaging with Russian civil society and the opposition, 2022−2026
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    Ksenia Smolyakova on the state United Russia finds itself in as it approaches the launch of the 2026 State Duma election campaign

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  • Whose War Is This?

    Alexey Uvarov on Western politicians' approach to engaging with Russian civil society and the opposition, 2022−2026

  • The ‘Dry Sponge’ of the Russian Economy

    Vladislav Inozemtsev on whether Russia can meaningfully revitalize its economy using windfall oil and gas revenue

  • No place to hide a deficit

    Andras Toth-Czifra: the growing pain points in Russia’s regional budgets

  • Dividends of Chaos: Why the Crisis Around Iran Is Both Beneficial and Dangerous for Russia

    Nikita Smagin on how the war with Iran is reshaping Moscow’s regional strategy

Authors
  • Ksenia Smolyakova

    Political Scientist, expert of the «Election Atlas» project
  • Oleg Loginov

    Economic Journalist
  • Vladislav Inozemtsev

    Co-founder and Advisory Council Member, Center for Analysis and Strategies in Europe
  • Andras Toth-Czifra

    Political analyst, author of the analytical blog «No Yardstick»
  • Nikita Smagin

    Expert on Iran, Islamism and Russia’s foreign policy in the Middle East, author of the book «Iran for Everyone: Paradoxes of Life in an Autocracy under…
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