Many Russians feared the Kremlin would order a new mobilization after last month’s elections: to replenish decimated forces fighting in Ukraine. That hasn’t happened. But creative and coercive recruiting tactics – called “quiet” or “creeping” mobilization by some – continue nationwide.
The popular Iranian music group Pallett is refusing to play concerts in Iran after authorities barred a female band member from performing on stage. Iranian authorities continue its harsh repression of women, enforcing rules that limit their freedom to sing and perform in public.
Russia's shadow campaign of drone incursions, sabotage, and assassination attempts in NATO countries has largely backfired by drawing a resolute response but is approaching a "crucial point," Christopher Walker, vice president of the Center for European Policy Analysis, tells RFE/RL.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, has no interest in peace talks and criticized a US deal with Moscow on diesel exports, saying it will hand more money to Moscow to fund its war against his country.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads to Uzbekistan this weekend for talks with five Central Asian countries as the Trump administration seeks to strengthen commercial ties and expand Washington's strategic presence in the region.
A Ukrainian platform that shares captured Russian and North Korean military hardware for “destructive testing” and other research has granted access to 376 foreign companies and agencies since its launch, RFE/RL has learned.
Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan has been the scene of a spate of militant attacks in the past month. What’s behind the violence in one of Iran’s poorest regions?
Christopher Walker, vice president of the Washington-based Center for European Policy Analysis, speaks to RFE/RL Senior International Correspondent Ray Furlong in Prague on October 14.
Ukrainian forces have struck an oil refinery in Russia's Ryazan region, Russian officials said, hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would resume attacks on Russian energy facilities and voiced anger over a "dangerous" disruption of satellite intelligence from the United States.
Russia is deepening diplomatic and military cooperation with Afghanistan's Taliban rulers, driven by security concerns in Central Asia. But worsening Taliban-Pakistan tensions and questions over the scope of Moscow's assistance are complicating the rapprochement.
A new dress-code dispute in Azerbaijan’s public schools has sparked protests by parents and students after reports that girls wearing hijabs, or Islamic headscarf, were turned away from classes. The protests come after a new ban on clothing deemed incompatible with the secular nature of education.
Ukraine is increasingly using artificial intelligence in drones and other battlefield systems to track, identify, and attack targets. Military officials say humans still remain in control of lethal decisions, but developers warn that fully autonomous weapons are moving closer to reality.
Azerbaijan’s new school-uniform rules have sparked protests after reports emerged of schools turning away girls wearing hijabs, renewing debate over religious freedom and secular education.
The European Union is working on multiple fronts to limit the number of Russian citizens that can enter the bloc, including the nuclear option of a total ban on all non-essential travel into the club’s Schengen zone.
Moscow launched a wave of ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv overnight, killing at least three people and injuring more than 20. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country once again received no advance warning from its Western partners about the Russian attack.
Russia shows no sign of letting up on its escalating aerial campaign against Ukraine’s apartment buildings, bridges, power plants, electricity grid, and other targets. As fall gives way to winter, Kyiv residents are racing to prepare.
Deadly Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine pounded civilian and energy sites across the country, leaving hundreds of thousands without power despite a cease-fire previously announced by US President Donald Trump.
Satellite imagery sourced by RFE/RL confirms Taliban claims they have completed a road that leads up to China's remote border with Afghanistan. However there is no indication Beijing intends to open the militarized boundary any time soon.
Ukrainian drone strikes on three data centers operated by Russia’s Yandex will reportedly take months to repair and have caused widespread disruption in everyday life across Russia and other countries the sprawling tech company operates in.
Russia launched overnight missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, striking Kyiv, Kharkiv, and other regions. At least four people were killed in Kharkiv. The attacks came amid a US-proposed energy cease-fire that Moscow has not confirmed.