Dan Peleschuk

An illustration image shows the new Latin-based Kazakh alphabet published in a newspaper in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Oct. 27, 2017.

Kazakhstan's switch from Cyrillic to Latin is about more than just alphabets

Kazakhstan's president is betting that transforming the alphabet will help his country bolster its national identity, ditch its Russian and Soviet colonial past and better integrate itself in the modern world.

Kazakhstan's switch from Cyrillic to Latin is about more than just alphabets
A Ukrainian service member loads magazines at his position on the front line in the government-held town of Avdiyivka

Trump cozying up to Russia? Not in Ukraine.

Trump cozying up to Russia? Not in Ukraine.
An investigator works at the scene of a car bomb explosion that killed Maksym Shapoval, a high-ranking Ukrainian official involved in military intelligence, in Kiev

In Kiev, assassinations are becoming commonplace

In Kiev, assassinations are becoming commonplace
Crew members prepare tanks in the government-held industrial town of Avdiivka, Ukraine, on Feb. 2.

How Russia is testing Trump on Ukraine

How Russia is testing Trump on Ukraine
A protester sits in front of burning barricades during clashes with pro-government forces at Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine on Aug. 7, 2014.

Ukrainians worry that Trump will ignore them

Ukrainians worry that Trump will ignore them
President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan

Meet Central Asia's leaders for life

Democracy is a blast when there are no term limits, or age limits.

Meet Central Asia's leaders for life
Visitors to the new Space of Synagogues memorial place stones in remembrance of the dead in Lviv, Ukraine on Sept. 4.

Why Ukraine’s newest Holocaust memorial is so important

The Space of Synagogues memorial comes at a time when Ukraine attempts both to sort out its national identity and commemorate its Jewish past. Neither effort has been straightforward.

Why Ukraine’s newest Holocaust memorial is so important
The latest photo opp in Kiev: stand where the big Vladimir Lenin monument once stood and say cheese!

People are lining up to pose as the founder of the Soviet Union in Ukraine’s capital

Anyone in Kiev who’s ever dreamed of standing in Vladimir Lenin’s shoes now has their chance, thanks to a Mexican artist.

People are lining up to pose as the founder of the Soviet Union in Ukraine’s capital
A man walks along Red Square, with the mausoleum of Vladimir Lenin and St. Basil's Cathedral in the background, in central Moscow, Russia.

What’s wrong with Russia’s version of the Patriot Act

Critics ranging from telecom firms to Edward Snowden are slamming new Russian legislation that was pushed through in the guise of fighting terrorism.

What’s wrong with Russia’s version of the Patriot Act
If you're Russian, this abandoned land in Russia's Far East near China could be all yours.

Russia is literally giving away land for free

President Vladimir Putin signed a law this month granting 2.5 acres of land in its Far East territory to any Russian who wants it. What's the catch?

Russia is literally giving away land for free
Germany asylum seekers

Germany is receiving way fewer refugees now, but the crisis isn't over

Europe's biggest destination saw a sharp drop in the number of new arrivals, but asylum claims keep piling up.

Germany is receiving way fewer refugees now, but the crisis isn't over
Oktoberfest waitresses celebrate the end of the world's biggest beer festival.

Europe's 'nanny states' make it harder to vape and drink

The Nanny State Index reveals some countries come down extra hard on some of humanity's favorite vices.

Europe's 'nanny states' make it harder to vape and drink
Brussels attack memorial

The key to dealing with terrorism? Assuming it won’t go away

Completely eradicating terrorism — just like with violent crime — is simply unrealistic.

The key to dealing with terrorism? Assuming it won’t go away
Su-25 crews prepare to fly home from the Hmeymim airbase.

Here’s the other reason Putin is pulling out of Syria

'Mission accomplished' does not quite cover his motivation for calling time-out.

Here’s the other reason Putin is pulling out of Syria
Mark Zuckerberg in Germany

Germany is taking on Facebook’s data industrial complex

Personal privacy and data protection is a touchy subject for Germans.

Germany is taking on Facebook’s data industrial complex