Russian spring? Suprise setback for Putin

Russia’s first general election since the advent of the smartphone offers up a surprise setback for Vladimir Putin. Are nascent protests the sign of a burgeoning democracy, or indeed the beginning of the end for the team that has now ruled for over a decade?

DEBATE

Misha MOST, Russian artist;
Natalia NAROCHNITSKAYA, President, Institute of Democracy and Cooperation; Former member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation;
Galia ACKERMAN, Head of Russian Department, "Politique Internationale"(quarterly review);
Douglas HERBERT, France 24 International Affairs editor;
Vladimir SMEKHOV, France 24 journalist.
Watch the second part

Presenter

François Picard

15/12/2010 - THE DEBATE

Crunch Time in Ivory Coast

It’s crunch time in Ivory Coast. The opposition has planned a march on state television for Thursday. From his U.N.-guarded hotel that serves as headquarters, Alassane Ouattara may have the backing of the international community but Laurent Gbagbo remains in control of the loyalist army as well as cocoa, oil and other main sources of revenue. Who will blink first, and can a bloodbath be avoided?

14/12/2010 - THE DEBATE

Islamophobia and extremism (part 2)

A far-right political leader compares Muslims praying in the streets to the occupation of France by Nazi Germany. A woman sacked for wearing the Muslim veil at a pre-school loses her appeal and a British-based Islamist blows himself up on a busy street in Stockholm. Europe's Muslim minority is in the spotlight once again and uncomfortable questions are being asked: integration, extremism and islamophobia are terms which elicit strong reactions from all sides of the political divide.

14/12/2010 - THE DEBATE

Islamophobia and extremism

10/12/2010 - THE DEBATE

Europe's debt crisis: Portugal under pressure (part 2)

Will Portugal be next? As the finger-pointing continues, the country is scrambling to avoid its fate as prescribed by the markets. Investors are almost certain Lisbon will follow Athens and Dublin and be next in line for an EU/IMF bailout. So is Europe on the right road to ending the crisis? Or are we facing bailout after bailout? Is the euro, and the European Union itself, under threat?

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