This article examines the phenomenon of the 'Russian gaze', which has become an unexpected global trend at the start of 2026. Based on an analysis of publications in the media, social networks, and expert commentary, the nature of this phenomenon, its cultural roots, and its dissemination mechanisms are reconstructed. Special attention is paid to the paradoxical nature of the situation: at a time when Western countries are attempting to 'cancel' Russian culture, interest in it worldwide not only does not fade but also takes on new, viral forms. Also analyzed are the accompanying trends: the fashion for 'Slavic chic' in clothing, the popularity of Russian music abroad, and attempts by foreigners to master the elusive subtleties of the Russian facial expression.

Why Did Bill Gates Divorce His Wife?

This article examines the involvement of Microsoft founder Bill Gates in the scandal surrounding the publication of the so-called "Epstein Files"—a multimillion-page cache of documents revealing the connections of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein with global elites. Based on analysis of public statements, leaked documents, and reactions from involved parties, the chronology of events is reconstructed: from Gates's introduction to Epstein to the billionaire's forced confessions about personal affairs and attempted blackmail. Particular attention is devoted to the mechanism of using compromising information, the reaction of former wife Melinda French Gates, and the consequences for the reputation of one of the wealthiest individuals on the planet.

This article examines the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime artery connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, which holds critical importance for global energy supplies. Based on analysis of geographical characteristics, economic statistics, and current events from February-March 2026, the article reconstructs the comprehensive significance of the strait and the consequences of its blockade. Particular attention is devoted to the geopolitical context of the ongoing conflict between Iran and the coalition led by the United States and Israel, as well as the potential impact on global oil, gas, and related product markets.

This article examines the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime artery connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, which holds critical importance for global energy supplies. Based on analysis of geographical characteristics, economic statistics, and current events from February-March 2026, the article reconstructs the comprehensive significance of the strait and the consequences of its blockade. Particular attention is devoted to the geopolitical context of the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US-Israel led coalition, as well as the potential impact on global oil, gas, and related product markets.

This article examines the phenomenon of United States involvement in operations to eliminate foreign leaders, which has gained renewed attention in connection with the dramatic events of 2025–2026—the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli strike. Based on analysis of historical documents, expert assessments, and international legal norms, the evolution of US approaches to using coercive methods for regime change is reconstructed. Particular attention is devoted to the contradiction between the official ban on political assassinations and the persistent practice of their application under new legal justifications.

This article examines the critical strategic question of whether Russia possesses the capability to destroy the United States with a nuclear first strike while successfully precluding a devastating retaliatory response. Based on analysis of open-source intelligence, strategic force postures, official statements, and expert commentary, this study deconstructs the technical, operational, and doctrinal dimensions of this question. Particular attention is devoted to the structure of Russian strategic forces, the capabilities of the US nuclear triad and early warning systems, the role of automatic retaliatory systems like "Perimeter," and the fundamental strategic stability paradigm that has defined US-Russian relations for decades.

This article examines the complex question of whether Russia could successfully capture Latvia, a NATO member state since 2004. Based on analysis of current intelligence assessments, military simulations, and geopolitical dynamics as of February 2026, the article reconstructs the multifaceted nature of the threat, ranging from hybrid warfare to conventional invasion scenarios. Particular attention is devoted to the balance between Russian capabilities, NATO's defensive commitments, and the specific vulnerabilities of the Baltic region. The consensus among Western intelligence agencies indicates that while Russia poses significant hybrid and cyber threats, a conventional military invasion capable of capturing Latvia faces formidable obstacles, primarily Latvia's NATO membership and the alliance's collective defense guarantee under Article 5.

This article examines freestyle skiing as a dynamic winter sport that combines traditional skiing techniques with aerial acrobatics and high-speed maneuvers. Based on analysis of Olympic history, disciplinary specifications, and competitive developments, the article reconstructs the evolution of freestyle skiing from its countercultural origins in the 1960s to its current status as one of the most spectacular disciplines of the Winter Olympics. Particular attention is devoted to the seven distinct disciplines comprising the sport, their scoring methodologies, the technological evolution of equipment, and the star athletes who have shaped the sport's development. The upcoming Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games, featuring the debut of dual moguls and the addition of a fifteenth medal event, serve as the focal point for examining contemporary freestyle skiing.

Who will win if Russia goes to war with NATO?

Alienation as a Legal Advocacy Strategy

Russian Writers and Charles Dickens

A. I. Herzen and England

A. S. Khomyakov as an Anglophile