In a surprising turn of events, the Russian government is cracking down on some of its most ardent supporters of the war in Ukraine, including pro-Kremlin pundits, military bloggers, and commentators. These individuals, once rewarded for their loyalty and enthusiasm, are now facing labels such as “foreign agent,” “terrorist,” and “extremist.” Analysts suggest these actions indicate a power struggle between rival factions within the regime, including a clash between the “loyalists” tied to the defense ministry and the “militarists” or Z-bloggers who have mobilized grassroots support for the war. This purge appears to be fueled by control over resources, as well as Moscow’s fear of any form of civic mobilization, even pro-war movements, with more arrests expected as the repressive apparatus continues its internal search for enemies.
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A court has sentenced a former Iranian cultural official to 100 lashes after convicting him of having sexual relations with another man. Well, that’s quite a headline, isn’t it? It immediately conjures up images of a harsh reality, a world away from the freedoms many of us take for granted. The fact that this individual was a former cultural official, someone who presumably had a hand in shaping the very values of the society, adds another layer of complexity to the story. It’s a stark reminder of the hypocrisy that can exist within any system, regardless of its ideological foundation.
The sentence itself – 100 lashes and two years of exile – is brutal.… Continue reading
Following complaints regarding dynamite explosions from a Moroccan construction company, residents of Equatorial Guinea’s Annobón island have faced an internet shutdown and subsequent repression. This resulted in the imprisonment of signatories, the collapse of essential services, and the exacerbation of existing marginalization. Despite denials from the company, Somagec, the government has continued the internet outage, impacting the island’s population of approximately 5,000 people. The move marks a significant escalation of repression by the government, which has a history of silencing criticism.
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During five days of pro-EU protests in Georgia, police violently suppressed demonstrators, employing tactics that included systematic beatings and torture in custody, as documented by Transparency International Georgia and the Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association. Detainees reported severe injuries and degrading treatment, with a Public Defender confirming widespread allegations of police brutality. Prominent critics suggest this brutality reflects training received from Russian counterparts, indicating a potential export of Russia’s authoritarian playbook to Georgia. This escalation of violence coincides with protests against the government’s pro-Russian stance and postponement of EU integration.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood