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Government of the Soviet Union

The Soviet foreign minister, Vyacheslav Molotov, saying farewell to his German counterpart, Joachim von Ribbentrop (right), after a visit to Berlin during the Nazi-Soviet alliance that lasted from 1939 to 1941.

This pact between Hitler and Stalin paved the way for WWII

Conflict

Seventy-five years ago this week, the world was turned upside down when Hitler and Stalin signed a pact of alliance. Within days Hitler invaded Poland, starting World War II. Roger Moorhouse, a historian, has a new book out on the momentous but often-forgotten “Devils’ Alliance.”

Former Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze speaking to reporters at the US Pentagon on Oct. 5, 2001.

For former Soviet foreign minister Eduard Shevardnadze, ending the Cold War was his greatest legacy

Global Politics
Former Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze speaking to reporters at the US Pentagon on Oct. 5, 2001.

For former Soviet foreign minister Eduard Shevardnadze, ending the Cold War was his greatest legacy

Global Politics
President Kennedy meets with Chairman Khrushchev at the US Embassy residence, Vienna.

The White House to Kremlin Hotline: Avoiding War for 50 Years

Arts, Culture & Media

Experts say foreign policy largely irrelevant when U.S. voters head to ballot box

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Why Stalin Remains Popular in Parts of Former Soviet Union

Arts, Culture & Media

Soviet leader Joseph Stalin was one of the most murderous dictators of the 20th century. And yet, 60 years after his death, he remains popular in some former Soviet republics – especially in his own nation of Georgia.

What We Can Learn from the Soviet Withdrawal from Afghanistan

In February 1989, after nine long years, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan. Today, as the United States transitions out of the country,  Nikolas Gvosdev, professor of  national security studies at the U.S. Naval War College, says that Americans have plenty of lessons to learn from the Soviet withdrawal. The USSR invaded Afghanistan in 1979 with grand […]

The World

Faking It: The Matrix

Global Politics

Faking It: Manipulated Photography Before Photoshop is a singular and surprising exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Putin Swapping Mercedes for Russian-Made Zil Limousine

Global Politics

Russian President Vladimir Putin is trading in his current ride, a Mercedes Benz, for a Russian-made Zil limousine.

Soviet Era Dark Humor Makes a Comeback

Global Politics

The Soviet jokes disappeared when the Soviet Union collapsed, but that brand of dark humor has made a comeback in Russia today.

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