Russia: Attacks on Americans and Atrocities in Syria; anti-Putin Protests by the Democratic Opposition

           The attack I posted about earlier this month in Syria against American forces was conducted by Russian mercenaries.  In an authoritarian state like the Russian Federation, mercenaries are government subcontractors, not independent private agents.  Meanwhile, Russia has again been targeting opponents of the Syrian regime by bombing civilian areas, including targeting hospitals.  

           Thousands of Russians protested today in Moscow against Vladimir Putin on the third anniversary of the murder of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov near the Kremlin.  Hundreds were arrested for exercising the freedom of peaceful assembly.  The protestors demanded the authoritarian Putin’s ouster and freedom for Russia.  Putin is seeking a fourth presidential term in elections this spring in which the main opposition candidate, Alexei Navalny, is barred from participating.  Elections in Russia are not free and fair because of the lack of basic freedoms, like assembly and press, and because only candidates who support the regime or who are token opponents are generally permitted to run for president.  The democratic opposition, therefore, is boycotting the rigged elections.  Rigged elections are used by despots to legitimize their rule.