The announcement of the Putin divorce was unexpected and unprecedented for a Russian leader. What made him decide to do it now, when the marriage apparently broke down years ago? Was it an act of alpha courage or a politically disastrous beta move? Daniil Kotsyubinsky looks at the ramifications.
In
Russia, homophobia is not just an attitude, but government policy, with new
legislation reinforcing traditional hostility to sexual minorities and violence
against gay people as common as ever. Svetlana Reiter discussed the situation
with psychologist Vladimir Shakhidzhanian. 
What is life like for gay men and women in Russia? Sergey Khazov looks at the country's gay infrastructure, and discovers a very fragmented picture. 
Russia and Turkey are both former imperial powers with one foot in Europe and one in Asia. Igor Torbakov argues that imperialism is still alive and well in both countries; even as they talk about modernisation, they seem reluctant to leave the past behind.
Does Russia's online community have anything resembling a common philosophy? New analysis of social media suggests the only idea shared right across the political spectrum is xenophobia. Emile Pain presents the research.
Discontent may soon be the norm across all sections of Russian society. But it's unlikely to benefit the opposition or professional classes, says Dmitry Travin. 
International public opinion once concerned Russian and Soviet leaders, but not any longer. Pussy Riot, the Navalny trial and now attacks on independent pollsters Levada Center, a partner organisation of oDRussia, show the Kremlin has become totally indifferent to western outrage. 
Charismatic opposition leader Aleksey Navalny is on trial in the provincial capital of Kirov, 900km from Moscow. He is controversially accused of stealing timber worth 16 million roubles in 2009; if found guilty, he will spend his next few years behind bars. Local journalist Ekaterina Loushnikova met some of his supporters and opponents.
A concession or a ruse to ensure continued authoritarian rule? In the second of two articles examining changes in Russia's electoral architecture, Grigorii Golosov 
Recent protest rallies and continuing opposition sentiment have provoked the Kremlin into reform. The first part of the process sees the partial return of regional governor elections, abandoned nine years ago in favour of appointment by the president. Democractic Russia should be very wary of the changes, thinks Grigorii Golosov
Combatting child sexual abuse in Russia involves some unexpected players – on the
one hand, vigilantes who hunt down online child abusers, and on the other, the
Kremlin, anxious to discredit the opposition. Mikhail Loginov reports.
A disastrous fire in the 18th
century Lyadiny ensemble has resulted in the destruction of one of the two
churches and the belltower. Wooden churches are very vulnerable, but all too
often the situation is compounded by neglect and indifference, says Matilda Moreton
With his regime
running out of steam, Vladimir Putin is resorting to the rhetoric of the past
and traditional values. Marie Mendras
sees little future in it. 
Repressive laws, socialist icons, and the promotion of Eurasian identity amount to a regression to the Soviet past, says Daniil Kotsyubinsky. 
With
Aleksei Navalny on trial and other opposition leaders under threat, Vladimir
Putin is relying more on the stick than the carrot to shore up his regime.
Kirill Rogov points out the risks of this policy. This week's guest editors
Our guest editors James Ron, Leslie Vinjamuri, Sophie Arie and Archana Pandya introduce this week's theme of:
Our guest editors James Ron, Leslie Vinjamuri, Sophie Arie and Archana Pandya introduce this week's theme of:
A Turkish Spring?
Woolwich - terror or conflict?
Palestinian borders
Nobel Women's Initiative
Europe from the bottom up
The media in Europe
Mali: the plot thickens
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Remote control war
oDRussia at journalismfestival .com
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Lis Howell On broadcasting
Dan Hancox Revel, Riot and Rebellion
Martin Rose Bliss Was It in that Dawn to Be Next Door
Vron Ware Up in Arms
Jim Gabour Sunday Comics
James Warner Standing Perpendicular, as books do
Markha Valenta Inter Alia: religion, politics, culture
Paul Rogers on Global security
Mary Kaldor on Human security
