Why the EU Should Sanction Russia’s Patriarch
The Russian Orthodox Church’s sanctification of Russia’s war on Ukraine has met with little retort from Europe.
Russian Orthodox Church
Christianity Is the Vanguard of Western Civilization—and America Must Protect It Abroad
On Easter Sunday, the White House issued a press release stating that under President Donald Trump’s leadership, “the U.S. is once again a beacon of religious liberty — honoring the biblical...
Op-eds
In Russian-Occupied Ukraine, You’re Free to Worship Vladimir Putin
The Kremlin’s religious registration rules in occupied Ukraine are intended to snuff out freedom of religion.
Op-eds
Putin Demands Believers in Ukraine Pray His Way
astor Vladimir Ryitkov was leading Sunday mass in Russian-occupied Luhansk, Ukraine when Russian military and police officers burst into his small Baptist church. Armed with assault rifles, “they brusquely...
Op-eds
Russian Orthodox Propaganda Takes Aim at Patriarch Bartholomew, Calling Him ‘Antichrist in Cassock’
In its ongoing attacks on religious organizations with the potential to erode Moscow’s sway in its former sphere of influence, Russian intelligence is now stooping to demonological name-calling.
Op-eds
What it means for Russia’s fight in Ukraine to be a ‘holy war’
Excerpt The Russian Orthodox Church is supposed to bring people closer to God, not to Russian President Vladimir Putin. And yet, that seems to be just what the ROC is doing under Patriarch...
Op-eds
Serbian and Russian Orthodox Churches Unite Against West
As part of Russia’s plan to undermine cohesion in Europe, it hopes to pull Serbia away from its path toward the EU by emphasizing traditional Orthodox ties.
Op-eds
Trump must counter Vladimir Putin’s coming deception games — here’s how
Vladimir Putin’s regime is readying a new bag of diplomatic tricks for the second Trump administration, as the Kremlin angles to lure Trump’s incoming national-security team into helping...
Op-eds
Don’t believe Putin’s lies: Ukraine is not ‘persecuting’ Christians
Conservatives should not be fooled: Putin’s weaponisation of the Orthodox Church is part of his geopolitical strategy
Op-eds
From Gaza to Global South: How Russia Weaponizes Neocolonial Narratives
Russia is spearheading a disinformation campaign to portray the US and Israel as a neocolonial villain – all while waging its own revanchist colonial war against Ukraine.
Op-eds
Russia Is Not the Champion of Christian and Traditional Values
For years, Putin has sought to present Russia as the champion of Christian and traditional values. He portrays the West as a dystopia of decadence, where elites push “strange and trendy ideas like...
Op-eds
How Putin is Using Chaos in the Balkans to Distract the West
‘Russia sees the region as Europe’s soft underbelly and Moscow has used information operations to inflame ethnic tensions, encourage protests and make arms deals.’
Op-eds
Russia’s Sham Ukraine Vote Undermines Serbia’s Kosovo Claims
Vladimir Putin proclaimed Russia’s annexation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia Regions of Ukraine on Friday, Sep. 30, stating that they “are becoming [Russia’s] compatriots forever.”...
Op-eds
Serbia’s Move to Cancel EuroPride Shows How Vučić Plays Off West Against Russia and His Base
The Serbian government is moving to cancel a long-planned parade in Belgrade this Saturday as part of the annual pan-European EuroPride celebration, hosted in a different European city each year, after...
Op-eds
Hungary’s Orban Is Hardly a Model for American Conservatives
We are no progressives or mushy liberals offended by Mr. Orbán’s attacks on the left’s sacred cows. We are aware of the dangers posed by his brand of nationalism.
Op-eds
Russia’s Power Games Extend to the Orthodox Church
Pushing back against Russia’s multipronged assault on the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which includes Putin and Erdogan’s coordinated pressure on an institution they see as posing a threat to their respective illiberal projects, requires devising and implementing a concerted transatlantic strategy.
Op-eds
Russia-Turkey Pincer Movement Threatens Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Survival
It is time the West offered robust support to the Istanbul-based Patriarchate – now being squeezed by Ankara and Moscow, both of which see it as a threat to their illiberal projects.
Op-eds
Iran’s Multiethnic Society Explains Why Tehran Fears Democracy
Iran faces the democracy conundrum: in multi-ethnic states where one non-majority group prevails over others, democratization entails risk of loss of empire.
Op-eds
Erdoğan’s Interests Converge with Putin in Moldova’s Gagauzia
BACKGROUND: On October 17, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan touched down in Chisinau for a ...
Op-eds
The Embattled Ecumenical Patriarch Caught Between Russia and Turkey
On October 15, the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) announcedits decision to break with the Ecumenical Patriar...