Ben Noble
@benhnoble.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Russian Politics, UCL | Associate Fellow, Chatham House
Reposted by Ben Noble
“All red lines are in the heads of Western politicians and Putin knows this too well"- Sergei Medvedev & @benhnoble.bsky.social discussed at @chathamhouse.org why Russia won't stop its war on Ukraine & why the West is reluctant to see Russia defeated.
Full video www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/r...
Full video www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/r...
October 24, 2025 at 9:41 AM
“All red lines are in the heads of Western politicians and Putin knows this too well"- Sergei Medvedev & @benhnoble.bsky.social discussed at @chathamhouse.org why Russia won't stop its war on Ukraine & why the West is reluctant to see Russia defeated.
Full video www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/r...
Full video www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/r...
Reposted by Ben Noble
📣 New event | 21 October | Russia’s long war in Ukraine
Panelists: Natalie Sabanadze (@chathamhouse.org), historian Sergei Medvedev & our associate fellow @benhnoble.bsky.social
Register interest to attend in person or online: www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/r...
Panelists: Natalie Sabanadze (@chathamhouse.org), historian Sergei Medvedev & our associate fellow @benhnoble.bsky.social
Register interest to attend in person or online: www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/r...
October 13, 2025 at 4:44 PM
📣 New event | 21 October | Russia’s long war in Ukraine
Panelists: Natalie Sabanadze (@chathamhouse.org), historian Sergei Medvedev & our associate fellow @benhnoble.bsky.social
Register interest to attend in person or online: www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/r...
Panelists: Natalie Sabanadze (@chathamhouse.org), historian Sergei Medvedev & our associate fellow @benhnoble.bsky.social
Register interest to attend in person or online: www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/r...
What to make of the Intervision song contest? See this excellent article by Joanna York for @france24.com, including comment from me. @uclssees.bsky.social
www.france24.com/en/europe/20...
www.france24.com/en/europe/20...
Soft power: Russia revives the Intervision song contest, Cold War rival to Eurovision
Russia on Saturday hosts Intervision, an international song contest that was a regular fixture in Soviet states in the 1960s and ’70s. The revival follows Russia’s exclusion from Eurovision since its…
www.france24.com
September 22, 2025 at 2:46 PM
What to make of the Intervision song contest? See this excellent article by Joanna York for @france24.com, including comment from me. @uclssees.bsky.social
www.france24.com/en/europe/20...
www.france24.com/en/europe/20...
Russian copycats of McDonald's and Starbucks are preparing to defend their turf.
Excellent article by Eleanor Thornber for @bloomberg.com on how Russian copycat brands are faring, with comment from me. @uclssees.bsky.social
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Excellent article by Eleanor Thornber for @bloomberg.com on how Russian copycat brands are faring, with comment from me. @uclssees.bsky.social
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Russian Copycats of McDonald’s and Starbucks Are Preparing to Defend Their Turf
Sanctions have allowed some Russian consumer companies to thrive and they are digging in for a fight.
www.bloomberg.com
July 10, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Russian copycats of McDonald's and Starbucks are preparing to defend their turf.
Excellent article by Eleanor Thornber for @bloomberg.com on how Russian copycat brands are faring, with comment from me. @uclssees.bsky.social
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Excellent article by Eleanor Thornber for @bloomberg.com on how Russian copycat brands are faring, with comment from me. @uclssees.bsky.social
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
This made me guffaw.
YES! my second sport column is online!
I went to watch some rugby in Twickenham: can you guess how it went?
observer.co.uk/news/columni... [free to read!]
I went to watch some rugby in Twickenham: can you guess how it went?
observer.co.uk/news/columni... [free to read!]
May 31, 2025 at 8:24 AM
This made me guffaw.
Reposted by Ben Noble
Fascinating interviews with Russian journalists who never emigrated and stuck with the profession. Their harsh criticisms of the exiled independent press are profound — a real gut punch. Russian & Western audiences seem to have completely opposite demands & expectations. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
May 29, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Fascinating interviews with Russian journalists who never emigrated and stuck with the profession. Their harsh criticisms of the exiled independent press are profound — a real gut punch. Russian & Western audiences seem to have completely opposite demands & expectations. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Ben Noble
With the war in Ukraine and war-related repression expanding in Russia, it's easy to overlook a major transformation in Russia right now: thanks to a new 'extremism' designation, gay people are virtually outlawed in Russia.
My piece with Alina Lobzina:
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/w...
My piece with Alina Lobzina:
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/w...
A Prison Death Highlights Russia’s LGBTQ Crackdown
The Russian government has unleashed a wave of repression against L.G.B.T.Q. people, with the police raiding gay night clubs and investigators targeting people they suspect of being gay.
www.nytimes.com
April 1, 2025 at 9:27 AM
With the war in Ukraine and war-related repression expanding in Russia, it's easy to overlook a major transformation in Russia right now: thanks to a new 'extremism' designation, gay people are virtually outlawed in Russia.
My piece with Alina Lobzina:
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/w...
My piece with Alina Lobzina:
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/w...
The reason, of course, why this is so powerful is that it's an example of solidarity that we want to be more frequent – of colleagues calling out b******t, realising that, if they don't, the very foundations on which our institutions are built crumble.
If the American journalist she calls to ask a question instead, who responds by saying yeah I’d like you to answer the Brit’s question, is ever in a London pub we’re definitely buying him a drink yes
Here's Marjorie Taylor Greene literally telling a British reporter to "go back to your country" and berating her for trying to ask a question.
"We don't give a CRAP about your opinion."
"We don't give a CRAP about your opinion."
March 26, 2025 at 7:26 PM
The reason, of course, why this is so powerful is that it's an example of solidarity that we want to be more frequent – of colleagues calling out b******t, realising that, if they don't, the very foundations on which our institutions are built crumble.
Reposted by Ben Noble
If the American journalist she calls to ask a question instead, who responds by saying yeah I’d like you to answer the Brit’s question, is ever in a London pub we’re definitely buying him a drink yes
Here's Marjorie Taylor Greene literally telling a British reporter to "go back to your country" and berating her for trying to ask a question.
"We don't give a CRAP about your opinion."
"We don't give a CRAP about your opinion."
March 26, 2025 at 6:44 PM
If the American journalist she calls to ask a question instead, who responds by saying yeah I’d like you to answer the Brit’s question, is ever in a London pub we’re definitely buying him a drink yes
Reposted by Ben Noble
💡 We've compiled the Bluesky accounts of the Russia and Eurasia Programme team and Associate Fellows - follow for even more analysis and comment on global affairs!
March 18, 2025 at 10:19 AM
💡 We've compiled the Bluesky accounts of the Russia and Eurasia Programme team and Associate Fellows - follow for even more analysis and comment on global affairs!
Reposted by Ben Noble
My latest book, What Does It Mean to Be Kazakhstani, is OUT now with Hurst publishers.
The art cover by my favourite Qazaq artist Kuanysh Bazargaliev is already a selling point for the physical copy <3
But there's a lot of interesting things inside:
www.hurstpublishers.com/book/what-do...
The art cover by my favourite Qazaq artist Kuanysh Bazargaliev is already a selling point for the physical copy <3
But there's a lot of interesting things inside:
www.hurstpublishers.com/book/what-do...
What Does It Mean to Be Kazakhstani? | Hurst Publishers
An in-depth study of this Central Asian nation’s evolution since 1991, exploring how ethnicity, war and internal unrest are shaping and reshaping Kazakh identity.
www.hurstpublishers.com
March 17, 2025 at 11:59 AM
My latest book, What Does It Mean to Be Kazakhstani, is OUT now with Hurst publishers.
The art cover by my favourite Qazaq artist Kuanysh Bazargaliev is already a selling point for the physical copy <3
But there's a lot of interesting things inside:
www.hurstpublishers.com/book/what-do...
The art cover by my favourite Qazaq artist Kuanysh Bazargaliev is already a selling point for the physical copy <3
But there's a lot of interesting things inside:
www.hurstpublishers.com/book/what-do...
Reposted by Ben Noble
Zero Sum's launch day in the US is accompanied by this wonderful review in the @nytimes.com by David Kortava of @foreignaffairs.com Zero Sum is available via @oxfordunipress.bsky.social and @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @benhnoble.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/b...
Book Review: ‘Zero Sum,’ by Charles Hecker
As the Trump administration pushes for renewed business ties with Russia, a new book looks back at the companies that helped prop up illiberalism in the country.
www.nytimes.com
March 4, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Zero Sum's launch day in the US is accompanied by this wonderful review in the @nytimes.com by David Kortava of @foreignaffairs.com Zero Sum is available via @oxfordunipress.bsky.social and @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @benhnoble.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/b...
Reposted by Ben Noble
📖🎉 Big book news! Zero Sum: The Arc of International Business in Russia, is an Editors' Choice in the @nytimes.com this week. Zero Sum is out the US w/ @oxunipress.bsky.social. @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @benhnoble.bsky.social
6 New Books We Recommend This Week www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/b...
6 New Books We Recommend This Week www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/b...
6 New Books We Recommend This Week
Suggested reading from critics and editors at The New York Times.
www.nytimes.com
March 7, 2025 at 2:58 PM
📖🎉 Big book news! Zero Sum: The Arc of International Business in Russia, is an Editors' Choice in the @nytimes.com this week. Zero Sum is out the US w/ @oxunipress.bsky.social. @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @benhnoble.bsky.social
6 New Books We Recommend This Week www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/b...
6 New Books We Recommend This Week www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/b...
Reposted by Ben Noble
I am hugely grateful for this thoughtful and wonderfully written review of Zero Sum in The Tablet. As companies prepare to re-enter Russia, read what it was like when they entered 30 years ago - and evacuated 3 years ago. @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @oxunipress.bsky.social @benhnoble.bsky.social
March 6, 2025 at 5:15 PM
I am hugely grateful for this thoughtful and wonderfully written review of Zero Sum in The Tablet. As companies prepare to re-enter Russia, read what it was like when they entered 30 years ago - and evacuated 3 years ago. @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @oxunipress.bsky.social @benhnoble.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Noble
What an honour for Zero Sum
to be reviewed in @foreignaffairs.com and by none other than Maria Lipman, whose work I have always admired. www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/zero... @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @oxunipress.bsky.social @benhnoble.bsky.social
to be reviewed in @foreignaffairs.com and by none other than Maria Lipman, whose work I have always admired. www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/zero... @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @oxunipress.bsky.social @benhnoble.bsky.social
Zero Sum: The Arc of International Business in Russia
Hecker speaks with dozens of Western business executives, bankers, and financiers who reaped immense profits in the Russian market after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
www.foreignaffairs.com
March 5, 2025 at 4:42 PM
What an honour for Zero Sum
to be reviewed in @foreignaffairs.com and by none other than Maria Lipman, whose work I have always admired. www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/zero... @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @oxunipress.bsky.social @benhnoble.bsky.social
to be reviewed in @foreignaffairs.com and by none other than Maria Lipman, whose work I have always admired. www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/zero... @hurstpublishers.bsky.social @oxunipress.bsky.social @benhnoble.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Noble
Today @benhnoble.bsky.social and @mlallouet.bsky.social will discuss the legacy and impact of Alexei Navalny on Russian politics. St. Anthony's College, Oxford University, 17:00-19:00 BST, in person only! talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/9a8...
After Navalny: evaluating the impact of Alexei Navalny and his movement on Russian politics
Alexei Navalny was the leading Russian opposition figure – even when behind bars. One year on from his death, what can we say about the impact he, his team, and his movement made on Russian politics? ...
talks.ox.ac.uk
March 3, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Today @benhnoble.bsky.social and @mlallouet.bsky.social will discuss the legacy and impact of Alexei Navalny on Russian politics. St. Anthony's College, Oxford University, 17:00-19:00 BST, in person only! talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/9a8...
It's the one-year anniversary of Alexei Navalny's death on Sunday. What can we say about his legacy at this stage? My thoughts for @theconversation.com. @uclssees.bsky.social @chrussiaeurasia.bsky.social @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
theconversation.com/one-year-on-...
theconversation.com/one-year-on-...
One year on from Alexei Navalny’s death, what will his legacy be for Russia?
Navalny battled for an alternative to Putin’s regime – and paid the ultimate price. The Kremlin has made sure there cannot be another opposition figure like him.
theconversation.com
February 14, 2025 at 10:29 AM
It's the one-year anniversary of Alexei Navalny's death on Sunday. What can we say about his legacy at this stage? My thoughts for @theconversation.com. @uclssees.bsky.social @chrussiaeurasia.bsky.social @hurstpublishers.bsky.social
theconversation.com/one-year-on-...
theconversation.com/one-year-on-...
Reposted by Ben Noble
Polisky Dictatorsky
Join us next week for the first workshop of the season! Daniella Slabinski(@statsvitenskap.bsky.social) will present work on Illiberal legislation as a rent seeking tool in the Russian legislature. @benhnoble.bsky.social (UCL) and Erin York (Vanderbilt University) will discuss.
Join us next week for the first workshop of the season! Daniella Slabinski(@statsvitenskap.bsky.social) will present work on Illiberal legislation as a rent seeking tool in the Russian legislature. @benhnoble.bsky.social (UCL) and Erin York (Vanderbilt University) will discuss.
January 21, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Polisky Dictatorsky
Join us next week for the first workshop of the season! Daniella Slabinski(@statsvitenskap.bsky.social) will present work on Illiberal legislation as a rent seeking tool in the Russian legislature. @benhnoble.bsky.social (UCL) and Erin York (Vanderbilt University) will discuss.
Join us next week for the first workshop of the season! Daniella Slabinski(@statsvitenskap.bsky.social) will present work on Illiberal legislation as a rent seeking tool in the Russian legislature. @benhnoble.bsky.social (UCL) and Erin York (Vanderbilt University) will discuss.
Looking forward to this!
We start the season on January 28th with Daniella Slabinski(@statsvitenskap.bsky.social) presenting ""More Catholic than the Pope": Illiberal legislation as a rent seeking tool in the Russian legislature." @benhnoble.bsky.social (UCL) and Erin York (Vanderbilt University) will discuss.
January 15, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Looking forward to this!
Reposted by Ben Noble
Moscow's Pushkin Institute revealed its word of the year as... "Pushkin."
November 21, 2024 at 9:33 AM
Moscow's Pushkin Institute revealed its word of the year as... "Pushkin."
State Duma deputy Vasily Piskarev saying the quiet part out loud, claiming that "the line between foreign agent and traitor is becoming less and less clear".
www.kommersant.ru/doc/7312496
www.kommersant.ru/doc/7312496
Депутат Пискарев: грань между иноагентом и предателем все менее различима
Подробнее на сайте
www.kommersant.ru
November 20, 2024 at 1:49 PM
State Duma deputy Vasily Piskarev saying the quiet part out loud, claiming that "the line between foreign agent and traitor is becoming less and less clear".
www.kommersant.ru/doc/7312496
www.kommersant.ru/doc/7312496