Putin

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump meet with Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan and Emine Erdogan in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on November 13, 2019.

How Turkey's Erdoğan went from populist hero to strongman

The Turkish president has managed to navigate a threatened political crisis with the US. Turkish historian and writer Soner Cagaptay says it's because he's a masterful tactician.

How Turkey's Erdoğan went from populist hero to strongman
A man stands next to a mannequin with a burning hat.

As US focuses on impeachment, Ukraine worries about being left to Russia

As US focuses on impeachment, Ukraine worries about being left to Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during his annual end-of-year news conference in Moscow, Russia, Dec. 14, 2017.

Putin says US gripped by fabricated spymania, praises Trump

Putin says US gripped by fabricated spymania, praises Trump
harvey weinstein

Russians look at the Harvey Weinstein scandal and say, 'What's the big deal?'

Russians look at the Harvey Weinstein scandal and say, 'What's the big deal?'
People look at the remains of a rocket shell on a street in the town of Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine February 10, 2015.

What the violence in Ukraine looks like up close

What the violence in Ukraine looks like up close
Khabarovsk's reported new airport logo.

Hello, Putin! A flying bear that swept the Internet

The absurdity of Russia's lumbering mascot as an airport logo is irresistible. Stay weird, Khabarovsk.

Hello, Putin! A flying bear that swept the Internet
David Rowe, Australia, January 8, 2015

This cartoonist packs a punch, with worldwide targets

Cartoonist David Rowe of Australia uses watercolors to paint his cartoons, which are takedowns of politicians and hypocrisy the world over.

This cartoonist packs a punch, with worldwide targets
According to a local newspaper in Pskov, Russia, this is the grave of a Russian soldier who died last week. The grave is close to the base of the 76th airborne division cited for heroism by President Putin last week.

Ukraine faces up to a Russian invasion, while Moscow keeps denying it

Russia says its soldiers aren't fighting in Ukraine, but evidence keeps piling up that Russia has invaded — even in Russia itself. That's caused some protests in Russia and disappointment in Ukraine, where people are feeling abandoned by the outside world.

Ukraine faces up to a Russian invasion, while Moscow keeps denying it
Two former Russian soldiers, Sevold (on the right) and Nikolai (diving), cooling off in a fountain in Moscow's VDNKh Park. Unlike many people in the park, these men expressed some concern about the impact of the new round of sanctions against Russia.  But

Are Russians worried about the new sanctions? Not so much

The US and Europe have imposed a new round of economic sanctions on Russia. Russians brush them off, though some analysts say these sanctions could do real damage.

Are Russians worried about the new sanctions? Not so much
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a televised statement at early Monday. He said the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in east Ukraine must not be used for political ends and urged separatists to allow international experts access to the crash

Russians react to the Malaysia airplane tragedy with denials, conspiracy theories — and tears

As evidence mounts that a Russian anti-aircraft missile was used to shoot down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, the government and ordinary Russians distrust the facts and deny that Russia had any responsibility. Moscow-based reporter Natalia Antonova shared the reactions she heard, including real sadness at the tragedy, with PRI's The World.

Russians react to the Malaysia airplane tragedy with denials, conspiracy theories — and tears

The French president separates his D-Day allies when it comes to dinner

French President Francois Hollande won't go hungry Thursday night. He will host two separate state dinners — one for President Obama and another for Russian President Vladimir Putin. A White House chef explains the dance between food, politics and diplomacy.

The French president separates his D-Day allies when it comes to dinner
Some of the top names from the autograph collection of Randy Kaplan. He launched his collection in 1996, with the autograph of Bill Clinton, and has gathered 130 autographed baseballs to date.

To get the autographs of top world leaders, you need commitment, courage and chutzpah

Between them, Randy Kaplan and Zoltan Marian have collected more than 2000 autographs of heads of states, royals and popes. They share a kind of ethical code, but differ when it comes to who will they include in their collections.

To get the autographs of top world leaders, you need commitment, courage and chutzpah
US Secretary of State John Kerry and Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet sign the US Estonia Partnership Statement at NATO headquarters in Brussels December 3, 2013. The statement affirms the commitment of both countries to continue working together to e

Estonia casts a wary eye toward Russia, while leaning on NATO

Estonia Foreign Minister Urmas Paet says all European and NATO countries have to be disturbed by Russia's rhetoric and the changed security environment in Europe.

Estonia casts a wary eye toward Russia, while leaning on NATO

This photo of male chauvinism in Delhi has gone viral

India has been engaged in a long debate over the way its women are treated. The latest battle in that ongoing war came on Twitter recently, when someone posted a picture of two men sitting on Delhi metro seats reserved for women. It didn't go over well. That and more in today's Global Scan.

This photo of male chauvinism in Delhi has gone viral
US dollars and Russian roubles are seen in this illustration picture taken in Moscow February 17, 2014.

The Crimea crisis is making American investors in Russia very nervous

Relations between Russia and the US and Europe may be at their worst level since the Cold War — and that's not good news for American companies doing business in Russia.

The Crimea crisis is making American investors in Russia very nervous