Though the US has long been considered the world’s leading power and a pillar of Western democracy, some now acknowledge a so-called ‘European pillar’ in the form of the European Union. Yet, the notion of a potential third pillar distinct…
With a firm handshake and a smile, U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin began their highly anticipated summit in Switzerland on Wednesday. The meetings were divided into two sections with the staff of both world leaders joining…
On Sunday 14 March, British-Iranian dual citizen Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was back in an Iranian court facing more charges. This time relating to a protest long ago outside the Iranian embassy and an interview with BBC Persia. Legally, the judge had…
Mass protests have continued throughout Russia after the recent sentencing of Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader. The Kremlin critic was sentenced to three and a half years in a ‘prison colony’. Due to the time he has already served,…
Yulia Navalnaya did what any partner would be expected to do when their loved one is arrested under suspicious circumstances. She joined fellow protesters on the streets of Moscow and demanded the safe release of her husband, Alexei Navalny. In…
This end of year review is part of a series from Backbench’s editorial team as they consider some of the themes that have dominated 2020. The views expressed in these reviews are those of the editors themselves and do not…
Last week, 15 pro-democracy lawmakers resigned en masse after Beijing passed a resolution that resulted in the disqualification of four of its members from the legislature. The move comes as the latest fallout in the ongoing struggle for democracy that…
As the military conflict in Artsakh ends with Azerbaijani forces having the upper hand, the majority Armenian population must either flee or risk extermination. On Monday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a Russia-brokered deal with Azerbaijan to put a…
In September 2017, the news of “re-education centres” in the Xinjiang province of China was first reported. In due course, it became clear that the Chinese government was working to brainwash the Uyghur people of Xinjiang. China maintains that the…
To protest the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the United States organised a boycott, involving 65 nations, of the 1980 Summer Olympics due to be held in Moscow. Looking forward to the present day, the World Uyghur Congress has asked the…