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November 20, 2009
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Daria Solovieva

Daria Solovieva is a freelance journalist based in Washington. She previously worked for EurasiaNet, a provider of information and analysis about Central Asia and the Caucasus. She is a graduate of the Bard Globalization and International Affairs program, where she served as a co-editor-in-chief of BardPolitik, the school's journal of global affairs.

Articles written by Daria Solovieva

Russian Government Keeps Eye on Social Unrest

By Daria Solovieva 01 May 2009 | World Politics Review MOSCOW -- The Russian government has stepped up its efforts to keep social unrest in check, as the financial crisis rages on across the country. For now, willingness to join mass protests is not as high as in neighboring Ukraine and Belarus. But the uncertain economic climate and growing ranks of the unemployed are significant enough to keep the Kremlin on its toes.

Russia Reacts to Time Magazine's Choice of Putin as 'Person of the Year'

By Daria Solovieva 20 Dec 2007 | World Politics Review Exclusive Vladimir Putin this week received an additional boost of support from an unlikely source: Time magazine's editorial board. After Putin beat out former Vice President Al Gore and "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling for the title of the magazine's "person of the year," a firestorm erupted in Russia over the meaning and possible ramifications of the title. Pro-government newspapers and television channels jumped on the story as the latest Western validation and recognition of Putin's achievements.

Somali Journalists Struggle to Work Amid Violence, Media Crackdown

By Daria Solovieva 18 Dec 2007 | World Politics Review Exclusive MOGADISHU, Somalia -- Twice a day, Ahmed Omar Hashi, a senior producer at Shabelle Radio here, receives a telephone call from an unidentified stranger who, in a muffled voice, threatens to kill him. Sometimes the stranger tells him he has been watching him, and knows where he at that very moment. Such threats are a common occurrence for members of the media in Mogadishu, where security has badly degenerated since the ousting of the Islamic Courts regime in December 2006.

Somalia's Humanitarian Crisis Continues to Degenerate

By Daria Solovieva 29 Nov 2007 | World Politics Review Exclusive MOGADISHU, Somalia -- As the United Nations Security Council and secretary general deliberate about whether Somalia is too dangerous for authorizing a larger peacekeeping force, United Nations officials on the ground say the country is facing the worst humanitarian crisis in Africa. In the last two months, the security situation in the capital city of Mogadishu has steadily deteriorated, forcing over 600,000 refugees to flee the city. One million have been displaced in a country of 7 million, according to the U.N.

Kasparov's Opening Move

By Daria Solovieva 31 Oct 2007 | WPR Blog Garry Kasparov won the presidential nomination of Russia's opposition coalition, the Other Russia, on Sept. 30. Days later, he came to Washington.

Expect Putin's Youth Army to Step Up Activity as Russian Election Nears

By Daria Solovieva 26 Jul 2007 | World Politics Review Exclusive Last week in Lake Seliger, Russia, 10,000 Russian youth gathered for a two-week summer camp that involved volleyball sessions, morning exercise, sailing, and in-depth ideological instruction on President Vladimir Putin's policies.  As Russia's government relations with Europe and particularly Britain are entering a new hostile stage, a pro-Putin youth movement called Nashi is playing a uniquely visible role in the Kremlin's campaign against its opponents. That role likely will grow as the 2008 presidential election approaches.

Russia Continues to Wield Energy as Tool of State Power

By Daria Solovieva 11 Jul 2007 | World Politics Review Exclusive President Bush's meeting with Vladimir Putin last week found U.S.-Russian relations in a difficult state. Perhaps the most important recent change U.S.-Russian relations is Russia's much greater reluctance to support the Bush administration's Middle East and Europe policies. Russia's new assertiveness is largely the result of its booming energy sector. In recent months, the Putin administration has further tightened state control of Russia's energy sector and demonstrated continued willingness energy as an instrument of power in foreign policy.

Politkovskaya's Death, Other Killings, Raise Questions About Russian Democracy

By Daria Solovieva 31 Oct 2006 | World Politics Review Exclusive Over the last month, Russia has experienced a surge of contract killings, with five high-profile murders -- a potent reminder that the country is far from the stable democracy its leaders say it is. The Oct. 7 murder of the anti-Kremlin journalist and human rights advocate Anna Politkovskaya is the most prominent of these. In a political climate with virtually no vital opposition parties or movements, Politkovskaya, 48, was easily the most outspoken critic of Putin's regime.