Anne Applebaum Commentary

Turning Abkhazia into a War

Russia’s bad reputation in the American media may turn a spat with Georgia into a potentially explosive situation.

Abandoning Burma

What’s happening in Burma is a tragedy. Now Washington should step up to the plate.

The Rose Revolution, Four Years Later

As the January elections in Georgia approach, takes a look at the successes and failures of the Rose Revolution.

Beacon of Democracy or Khachapuri Republic?

Assessing progress toward democracy in Georgia points to positive as well as negative developments. What Washington has done well—and where it has failed—is revealing.

Putin's Heir?: NI Online's Continuing Russia Coverage

After Vladimir Putin’s announcement today that he would support Dimitri Medvedev to be the next Russian president, Nikolas K. Gvosdev gives some perspective.

Torture is Not a Republican Value

Contrary to what many have said, supporting torture is not part of being a conservative. If continued, White House policies that tolerate it will undermine U.S. credibility, produce bad intelligence and put American soldiers at risk.

Ruling Pakistan

If ruling Pakistan is like riding a tiger, President Pervez Musharraf may be drawing in his reins too tightly, according to some analysts.

Moscow, We Have a Problem

If the end result in 2008 is for Russia to be more prosperous but to have simply traded one group of “the powerful” who are unaccountable and operate above the law for another, that may not be the legacy Putin is looking to leave behind.

The Media's Litvinenko Morality Play

Regardless of the evidence, the media narrative concludes with Putin’s guilt, if not of murdering Litvinenko then of killing democracy.

An Unsavory Ally

"The Saudis are friends.

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May 26, 2012