Russia

The most popular foreign playwright in Russia is London-born Irish playwright Martin McDonagh. He is known in the US as the award-winning Hollywood director and screenwriter behind films such as “In Bruges,” ” Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and “The Banshees of Inisherin.” In Russia, though, McDonagh is known for his plays, which are frequently put on in theaters throughout the country.

The World’s Daniel Ofman speaks with journalists Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan about their new book that documents their own experiences as journalists and the transformation of their friends as Russian President Vladimir Putin solidified his grasp on power over the years.

The increasingly powerful Russian Orthodox Church has built hundreds of new churches over the past decade. But some people in Moscow are pushing back against their construction, especially in places like city parks.

The clash between the Trump administration and Voice of America continues. In March, an executive order was issued to eliminate VOA’s supervising agency. Since then, VOA has been slashed and has cut down operations while also challenging the executive order in court. But as VOA shrinks, Russian news agencies targeting international audiences are growing.

Estonia has found itself at the forefront of Europe’s bid to fend off suspected — and anticipated — Russian hybrid attacks. Longtime Estonia observer and Deutsche Welle reporter Ben Bathke reports.