Their Thesis: the Western media tells us Russia is in a death spiral, its economy is one giant oil bubble, suffers from endemic corruption, inequality and lawlessness and is presided over by a KGB kleptocrat dead-set on resurrecting the USSR and launching Cold War II.

Our Antithesis: Russia is a normal country with a booming non-hydrocarbons economy underpinned by a well-educated and secular workforce. The Putin administration has affirmed democratic values, worked to improve human rights and pursued Russia's national interests abroad.

Your Synthesis: ?

Da Russophile records and comments on Russia-related news reports from an eclectic mix of media outlets. We also offer Editorials (original content on a major issue of the day), Core Articles (general exposition on a particular topic) and Flotsam and Jetsam (videos, music, humor, bits and bobs).

Da Russophile is the author of this blog. Please feel free to comment on our posts and get in contact by e-mailing darussophileATyandexDOTru.

Poll 4: How will the Russian economy develop in the next 6 months? (poll coming soon)

Poll #1

Poll #2

Poll #3

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