The Point: Conversations and insights about the moment

nytimes.com Silencing Independent Voices Is Not the Way to Join the West In Tbilisi, Georgia, the country’s parliament passed a “foreign agent” bill on Tuesday that, according to the…

Ominous Russian Military Moves Spark Fears Over NATO's Southern Flank

newsweek.com Russia is diverting more resources to its newest Mediterranean hub as Moscow seeks to grow its influence and outcompete Western rivals in conflict-ravaged parts of North and…

'The hard reality of an aging society'

theweek.com 'The only real fix to Social Security's problems? More babies.' "Declining birthrates are bad news for retirees," says Megan McArdle. The annual Social Security trustees'…

Genius or madness? Why Putin wants an economist to run Russia's Defense Ministry at a key point in the war

cnbc.com A government reshuffle was always in the cards after Russian President Vladimir Putin was sworn in last week as Russia's leader for a fifth term. But Putin's replacement of…

The man leading Russia’s war in Ukraine is out in a surprise shake-up hinting at Putin’s true focus

nbcnews.com Sergei Shoigu seemed to have survived. The man leading Vladimir Putin‘s war in Ukraine was looking relaxed just last week as he appeared in uniform at the Russian leader’s…

Putin axes defense minister, replaces him with an economist

businessinsider.com Former Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu (left) and his replacement Andrey Belousov (right). Sergei Bobylyov/Pool/AFP via Getty Images; Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool/AFP…

Putin replaces Russia's defense minister with civilian economist in unexpected move

cnbc.com Russian President Vladimir Putin tapped a civilian economist as his surprise new defense minister on Sunday in an attempt to gird Russia for economic war by trying to better…

Putin reappoints technocrat prime minister as fifth term kicks off

euronews.com Russian legislators will approve a new Putin cabinet in a rubber-stamp exercise following an election from which genuine opponents were excluded. Russian President Vladimir…

Vladimir Putin begins Operation Blame Ukraine

economist.com VLADIMIR PUTIN is a man who likes victories; preferably stage-managed ones. A fixed election win followed by an exhilarating concert. A rousing Victory Day speech. Eight…

Putin punishes defense minister for Ukraine war shortcomings: ISW

newsweek.com Russian President Vladimir Putin recently made a public gesture intended to punish Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu for his inability to achieve the Kremlin's military…