Something is happening in Russia. Something nobody had anticipated. Neither the critical observing Western countries, nor the acting rulers nor even the opposition itself. An op-ed by Anna-Lena Vaje

Russia’s liberal-democratic parties, politicians and voters need their own mainstream party. The largest obstacles to this goal were not set by the Kremlin but rather by the liberal-democrats themselves. This tragedy needs to end, otherwise nobody will remain who is able to faithfully represent a Russian democracy. An op-ed by Stefan Bernhardt

Vladimir Putin is once again prepared to become president. The ‘strong man of Russia’ indulged himself in a hiatus of four years where he acted ‘only’ as Prime Minister. He was doubtlessly controversial during his first incumbencies from 2000 to 2008, but do his actions live up to his reputation? A Pro & Contra by Stefan Bernhardt

A hackneyed phrase it might be, but things are changing in Russia. Above all since the State Duma Election on December 4, 2011. Young journalists and activists are utilizing social networking to inform themselves and others of the new technologies to speak out against a system that no longer represents them. A report by Ana Sánchez Resalt

His election in 2000, made him only the second President of the Russian Federation. While his image is negative in the West, Vladimir Putin is one of the most popular politicians in Russia, yet he is not without controversy. He was Boris Yeltsin’s successor yet ousted the Yeltsin clan from power in order to rearrange Russia. By Stefan Bernhardt

Yashin is one of the youngest opposition leaders. He was one of the first demonstrators at the protests against the Duma Election fraud in 2011 and continues to be in the front row. In the West he is as of yet unknown but shows great political potential. By Stefan Bernhardt

Previously, Prokhorov made headlines only through his assets, companies and purchases of sport teams. In 2011 the third richest man of Russia went on the political stage with several scandals. Is he actually an independent candidate for presidency? By Stefan Bernhardt

The Kremlin responded to the first wave of protests in Russia on December 10 with political reforms. In April 2012, the amendments to the legislation regulating political parties entered into force while the Duma discusses changes to the governors' electoral system. Are these steps only democratic pretense? What is the opposition's take on the amended legislation? A report by Manarsha Isaeva

A new election law was passed in the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, on November 17, 2011. It will be put into practice for the first time in the upcoming Ukrainian parliamentary election in October 2012. Therefore, what should we be expecting of this new law and how would it affect Ukraine’s political future? An analysis by Roy Yu

Saakashvili has shaped Georgia since the Rose Revolution 2003, both for the better and for the worse. In 2013, his presidency will reach an end due to constitutional limit. His supporters see him as the savior of Georgia, while his opponents as a power-hungry populist. By Stefan Bernhardt

His infamous title "Europe's last dictator" shows the kind of reputation Lukashenko has. For almost 20 years, he has ruled Belarus with an iron fist, whereby his greatest strength is the weakness and fragmentation of the opposition. By Stefan Bernhardt

Out of nowhere, he entered Georgia’s political scene in October 2011. A billionaire, whose wealth exceeds the annual budget of the state, won the parliamentary elections with his newly founded party alliance, the Georgian Dream, in October 2012. By Stefan Bernhardt

For a small and politically volatile country that had previously only changed its political leaders through civil war and revolution, its parliamentary elections in October marked a significant step forward on its way towards democracy. 2012 was a groundbreaking year for Georgia, but what does 2013 have ahead? An analysis by Roy Yu

He has governed the small Central Asian state of Tajikistan since 1994. Although the country had lived through a bloody civil war in the 1990s, this war did not manage to threaten Rahmon’s iron rule. His terms in office, marked by human rights abuses and corruption, have made him a controversial figure both at home and abroad. By Roy Yu