Mikhail Azhgirevich

On the penultimate day of the Russia–Africa summit, the All-Russian Decorative Art Museum welcomed Burkina Faso’s prime minister, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo. What did he see? What did they discuss? What role did the museum’s director, Tatyana Rybkina, play? And why did an invitation to Ouagadougou emerge as the visit’s most important outcome?

Who Came to Moscow

During the third Russia–Africa summit in Moscow, an exhibition on the textiles of two African countries opened its doors to a high-profile visitor: Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama toured it. What was on display? How did museum director Tatyana Rybkina describe the project? And why did a museum program become part of high-stakes politics?

The Summit and Its Framework

On October 20, the European Commission and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, unveiled a strategy titled "Europe's Northern Neighbourhood." Security comes first among its four priorities. How far has the balance of power shifted? Are Brussels' ambitions realistic? And how might Moscow respond? We have gathered the facts and the views of two Russian experts.

What the document says

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won the presidential runoff on October 25. Published results give him about 51.8% of valid votes to 48.2% for Flávio Bolsonaro, a margin of roughly 4.4 million votes. The president keeps his office, but his challenger has refused to concede and says he will seek to have the vote annulled.

The pendulum that swung left two decades ago has swung back to the right. Colombia and Peru chose right-wing presidents in June by fractions of a percentage point, and on Sunday Brazil will settle a runoff between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro. What is behind the turn? How does it resemble the "pink tide"? And what should the region expect?

Brazil: The October 25 Runoff

In 2026, Russia's projects in Latin America amounted to several dozen documents, yet real money is visible in only a few of them. What has been signed, what is under construction, and what is still waiting for ratification? We have gathered the confirmed data country by country and checked the dates.

The Big Picture

HSBC's chief executive says the Strait of Hormuz could become "unnecessary" within five years. We tested that idea against the facts of this year. What did the September drones show? Why is a pipeline not the same as security? And what does a fair order for all parties have to do with any of it?

What the Banker Said

If you think the protests in Europe flared up by chance, you are mistaken. But there is no single hand on the remote control either. Who gains from the fires? Why did Washington deliver its diagnosis in advance? And what does Russian gas have to do with it?

What Was Actually Burning

A second front of the Iran war has opened on the Arabian Peninsula, and the tone there is set not by Saudi skyscrapers but by Houthi missiles. What is happening between Ansar Allah, the Yemeni government and Riyadh? What does it mean for Russians and for business? How long will it last, and who is responsible for what?

How the Truce Collapsed

The region is growing slowly, and inflation is diverging across countries: Colombia and Argentina are fighting rising prices, Brazil has broken through the ceiling of its target range, and Mexico is staying within its band. What do the latest data from the IMF and central banks show? Which currencies are under pressure? And where is the region headed?

The Big Picture