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Russia

News and analysis about all things Russia, including special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, the war in Ukraine, and more.

Politics
Does the BuzzFeed report show that Trump obstructed justice? I asked 9 legal experts.Does the BuzzFeed report show that Trump obstructed justice? I asked 9 legal experts.
Politics

If the report is true, they said, then yes.

By Sean Illing
The Vox guide to Robert Mueller’s Trump-Russia investigation
Felix Sater, the spy, criminal, and mafia-linked executive tied to Trump Tower Moscow, explainedFelix Sater, the spy, criminal, and mafia-linked executive tied to Trump Tower Moscow, explained
The Vox guide to Robert Mueller’s Trump-Russia investigation

He helped track Osama bin Laden — and secure a Trump Tower in Moscow.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Trump has reportedly discussed withdrawing from NATO. That would be great for Russia.Trump has reportedly discussed withdrawing from NATO. That would be great for Russia.
Politics

According to the New York Times, Trump brought up pulling out of NATO several times in 2018.

By Emily Stewart
World Politics
The US apparently kept no detailed notes of Trump-Putin meetings for the past 2 yearsThe US apparently kept no detailed notes of Trump-Putin meetings for the past 2 years
World Politics

That’s a huge problem.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Trump’s ties to the Russian mafia go back 3 decadesTrump’s ties to the Russian mafia go back 3 decades
World Politics

Journalist Craig Unger talks Russia, Trump, and “one of the greatest intelligence operations in history.”

By Sean Illing
World Politics
Foreign spies could be manipulating Trump through Fox NewsForeign spies could be manipulating Trump through Fox News
World Politics

An ex-CIA analyst on the dangers of Trump’s Fox News obsession.

By Sean Illing
Politics
The 5 biggest Trump-Russia events to watch for in 2019The 5 biggest Trump-Russia events to watch for in 2019
Politics

Might we finally learn about collusion?

By Alex Ward
Politics
Rudy Giuliani lied about a Trump Tower Moscow letter of intent. CNN has receipts.Rudy Giuliani lied about a Trump Tower Moscow letter of intent. CNN has receipts.
Politics

Trump personally signed it.

By Aaron Rupar
Technology
Reports to Senate criticize social media giants for providing incomplete data in Russia probeReports to Senate criticize social media giants for providing incomplete data in Russia probe
Technology

Analysts say Facebook, Twitter, and Google did the “bare minimum” in providing information.

By Emily Stewart
World Politics
4 main takeaways from new reports on Russia’s 2016 election interference4 main takeaways from new reports on Russia’s 2016 election interference
World Politics

One includes Russia’s deliberate targeting of African Americans online.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
What you need to know about accused Russian spy Maria Butina’s plea dealWhat you need to know about accused Russian spy Maria Butina’s plea deal
World Politics

Butina pleaded guilty to conspiring to be a foreign agent in the US, and is cooperating with prosecutors.

By Jen Kirby
The Vox guide to Robert Mueller’s Trump-Russia investigation
Michael Cohen was just sentenced to 3 years in prisonMichael Cohen was just sentenced to 3 years in prison
The Vox guide to Robert Mueller’s Trump-Russia investigation

Trump’s former lawyer pleaded guilty to financial offenses, campaign finance violations, and lying to Congress about Russia.

By Andrew Prokop
World Politics
Russia isn’t complying with an arms control treaty — so the US is threatening to rip it upRussia isn’t complying with an arms control treaty — so the US is threatening to rip it up
World Politics

Russia now has 60 days to comply, or else the US will start withdrawing from a deal that Reagan signed.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Did Trump commit witness tampering by tweet? I asked 9 legal experts.Did Trump commit witness tampering by tweet? I asked 9 legal experts.
Politics

Probably, but it’s complicated.

By Sean Illing
Politics
Michael Cohen’s guilty plea proves the House GOP’s Russia investigation was a shamMichael Cohen’s guilty plea proves the House GOP’s Russia investigation was a sham
Politics

Republicans didn’t have all the facts. They ended the probe anyway.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Why Michael Cohen’s Trump Tower Moscow revelation matters, in under 500 wordsWhy Michael Cohen’s Trump Tower Moscow revelation matters, in under 500 words
World Politics

A small guide to a really big deal.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Trump cancels Putin meeting over UkraineTrump cancels Putin meeting over Ukraine
World Politics

The president abruptly canceled his G20 meeting, hours after his former attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty in the special counsel’s Russia probe.

By Jen Kirby
Politics
Trump’s talk of pardoning Manafort is a clear abuse of powerTrump’s talk of pardoning Manafort is a clear abuse of power
Politics

We need to retain our ability to be shocked.

By Matthew Yglesias
Politics
Michael Cohen just made a plea deal with Robert MuellerMichael Cohen just made a plea deal with Robert Mueller
Politics

He admits lying to Congress about a project to build a Trump Tower in Moscow.

By Andrew Prokop
Politics
Read the plea documents from Michael CohenRead the plea documents from Michael Cohen
Politics

Trump’s longtime lawyer has pleaded guilty to lying to Congress.

By Aaron Rupar
Russia
Trump may cancel his G20 meeting with PutinTrump may cancel his G20 meeting with Putin
Russia

If he nixes the meeting, it’d be quite the change for Trump.

By Alex Ward
Politics
The past 24 hours in Trump-Russia news, explainedThe past 24 hours in Trump-Russia news, explained
Politics

New developments about Mueller, Manafort, and Corsi.

By Andrew Prokop
World Politics
Russia just openly attacked Ukraine. That could mean their war will get worse.Russia just openly attacked Ukraine. That could mean their war will get worse.
World Politics

Why attacks on Ukrainian ships amount to the greatest — and scariest — escalation in years.

By Alex Ward
Politics
The strongest case for — and against — Matthew Whitaker’s appointmentThe strongest case for — and against — Matthew Whitaker’s appointment
Politics

Two big legal arguments, all explained in less than 700 words.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Sen. Lindsey Graham is poised to lead the Senate Judiciary CommitteeSen. Lindsey Graham is poised to lead the Senate Judiciary Committee
Politics

This could have far-ranging implications for Justice Department oversight and the Mueller investigation.

By Li Zhou
Politics
Dana Rohrabacher, Putin’s favorite Congress member, just lost his House seatDana Rohrabacher, Putin’s favorite Congress member, just lost his House seat
Politics

He served for 15 terms — three decades — in a reliably Republican district.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Lindsey Graham said there’d be “holy hell to pay” if Trump fired Sessions. But that was then.Lindsey Graham said there’d be “holy hell to pay” if Trump fired Sessions. But that was then.
Politics

Graham used to defend Sessions. Now he’s defending the president.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Read Jeff Sessions’s resignation letterRead Jeff Sessions’s resignation letter
World Politics

There’s one particularly intriguing ambiguous paragraph.

By Zack Beauchamp
Politics
Jeff Sessions is out as US attorney generalJeff Sessions is out as US attorney general
Politics

He was Trump’s biggest proponent of Trumpism and a major obstacle to ending the Russia probe.

By Alex Ward and German Lopez
Politics
Russia is unhappy the Democrats won the HouseRussia is unhappy the Democrats won the House
Politics

The 2018 US midterm election results are in — and Russia feels like it lost.

By Alex Ward
The 2018 midterm elections, explained
The 2018 midterm election hasn’t been hacked — but Russia is still trying to influence itThe 2018 midterm election hasn’t been hacked — but Russia is still trying to influence it
The 2018 midterm elections, explained

China, Iran, and “other nations,” too.

By Alex Ward
Politics
How Russian money and influence slipped through cracks in the US legal systemHow Russian money and influence slipped through cracks in the US legal system
Politics

The 2010 Citizens United decision helped open the door to foreign influence in US elections.

By Alex Finley - Center for Public Integrity
Explainers
Trump may soon kill a US-Russia arms control deal. It might be a good idea.Trump may soon kill a US-Russia arms control deal. It might be a good idea.
Explainers

The INF Treaty controversy, explained.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Julian Assange is fighting the Ecuadorian government over a catJulian Assange is fighting the Ecuadorian government over a cat
World Politics

Worst. Houseguest. Ever.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Read: US indicts 7 Russian spies for hacking related to Olympic doping scandalRead: US indicts 7 Russian spies for hacking related to Olympic doping scandal
World Politics

The goal was to undermine and delegitimize the “integrity of the Olympics and other games,” according to federal prosecutors.

By Jen Kirby
World Politics
Russia-linked hackers attacked governments in Europe and Latin AmericaRussia-linked hackers attacked governments in Europe and Latin America
World Politics

The hacking group, known as Fancy Bear or APT28, interfered in the 2016 presidential election.

By Alex Ward
Politics
GOP lawmakers summon Rosenstein to testify about shocking NYT reportGOP lawmakers summon Rosenstein to testify about shocking NYT report
Politics

President Donald Trump’s allies really want to know if Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein wanted to secretly record the president and invoke the 25th Amendment.

By Alex Ward
Politics
Conservatives are skeptical of the New York Times’s Rod Rosenstein storyConservatives are skeptical of the New York Times’s Rod Rosenstein story
Politics

One senator warned, “BEWARE of anything coming out of the New York Times.”

By Jane Coaston
Explainers
Rosenstein is the only person between Trump and Mueller. He may soon be gone.Rosenstein is the only person between Trump and Mueller. He may soon be gone.
Explainers

Rosenstein’s ouster may now be imminent. That’s really bad news for Mueller’s Trump-Russia probe.

By Alex Ward
World Politics
Trump adds more Russians who interfered in the 2016 election to a sanctions listTrump adds more Russians who interfered in the 2016 election to a sanctions list
World Politics

Is Trump finally getting tough on Russia?

By Alex Ward