Aruuke Uran Kyzy works at TRT World Research Centre. She has a degree in International Relations, English and Literature from Istanbul University. Her current area of focus is Russian and Central Asian studies.
The Dungan, a little-known community of Russian-speaking Muslims of Arab-Chinese descent, have survived years of religious persecution and yet managed to keep their identity intact.
The Chinese One Belt One Road initiative is running through a chunk of Russia's sphere of influence in Central Asia. It will inevitably pit Russia and China against each other.
Russia and Turkey have managed to build a pragmatic relationship despite diverging interests and a historical regional rivalry. It's in both countries interest that it survives past elections.
Russia is aiming to fight American sanctions with counter-sanctions of its own. This may backfire and further expose the weak Russian economy, while ultimately compounding the stress on its own population.
Putin's victory in this year's election is not in doubt. But what will the future Russia look like as the country enters into a third decade of Putinocracy?
Could the rapprochement between Turkey and Russia lead to a long-term alliance or are both the countries simply cooperating for short-term gains?
Putin has announced that he will contest the 2018 presidential election. In Russia today, Putin is in the house, and the house always wins.
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