The Kremlin recently sentenced DOXA's Founding Editor Armen Aramyan to 10 years in prison on charges of “justifying terrorism.” In our latest, Armen reflects from exile on the charges, the broader spread of global authoritarianism, DOXA’s origins, its recent coverage of the war in Gaza, and more.

"Before I was just seen as a journalist in exile. Now, no one in Russia wants to be linked to someone labeled a terrorist."

Armen Aramyan, DOXA Journal’s Founding Editor, speaks about his recent arrest in absentia, the spread of global authoritarianism, and the state of independent Russian media in exile.

doxaenglish.substack.com

Today would’ve been Alexei Navalny’s birthday. Back in February, on the first anniversary of his passing, we published two opinion pieces to mark the occasion. The first, by political scientist Ilya Matveev, reflects on Navalny’s legacy and the once-unified opposition he left behind:

The Landscape After the Battle

A year after Alexei Navalny’s death, his movement struggles to redefine itself—fractured, exiled, and estranged from political action. Yet his vision for a democratic Russia endures.

doxaenglish.substack.com

"The shift from competence to loyalty within the administrative state is a hallmark of democratic erosion," writes political scientist @thenoahbuckley.bsky.social in our latest piece on the parallels between Putinism and the Trump administration's current trajectory.

Very happy to see this out in DOXA, discussing the authoritarian threat we can see looming in American politics right now

DOXA Journal in English@doxajournal.bsky.social · last yr.

As Trump barrels through his second term, the warning signs of democratic backsliding are impossible to ignore. Is authoritarianism possible in America, and what can we learn from Putin's Russia? Political scientist and scholar of authoritarianism @thenoahbuckley.bsky.social breaks it down:

As Trump barrels through his second term, the warning signs of democratic backsliding are impossible to ignore. Is authoritarianism possible in America, and what can we learn from Putin's Russia? Political scientist and scholar of authoritarianism @thenoahbuckley.bsky.social breaks it down:

Democratic Fragility: Eroding Norms and the Authoritarian Threat in America

What We Can Learn from Putin’s Russia?

doxaenglish.substack.com

In our latest piece, freelance contributor Nicholas Castillo explores the surge in xenophobia toward non-Slavic communities in Russia following the 2024 Crocus City Hall terrorist attack.

One year after the devastating Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow, Russia’s crackdown has targeted migrants, fueling state-backed xenophobia. Raids, deportations, and far-right violence are surging. But the attack ignited new tensions or exposed old ones? Nicholas Castillo reports:

A Year After Crocus: Racism and Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in Russia

Did the Moscow terrorist attack trigger a new wave of racism, or did it merely deepen existing prejudices?

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Stern talks from veterans, drone-assembly workshops, and standardized tests featuring nationalist writers like Zakhar Prilepin are now the new normal in Russian schools.

Stalin died in March 1953. After a period of stagnation, Soviet cinema underwent a “thaw.” Censorship eased, allowing a wave of bold, dynamic films to reach the screen. With spring in the air, we’ve selected seven films for a perfect Sunday watch—each available via: sovietmoviesonline.com

A little message to our followers!

Reports of state propaganda seeping into Russian schools continue to emerge. But is the push to militarize youth working? Our interview with a Russian high schooler offers a glimpse into life in the classroom since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

A Russian High School Student On How the Government Indoctrinates Its Youth

"If you want to get anywhere, you have to accept the patriotic programming."

doxaenglish.substack.com

💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐 For many across the former Soviet Union, it’s been a flower-filled weekend. But behind the celebrations of International Women’s Day lies a harsher reality. In our latest piece, feminist scholar Sasha Talaver examines how Russia has militarized reproduction in wartime.

Weaponizing The Family Unit

A March 8th reflection on how the Kremlin is militarizing women’s bodies and social reproduction to address a demographic crisis.

doxaenglish.substack.com

Happy International Women’s Day! While we'd love to be all flowers, these critical times demand serious reflection. In the latest piece, feminist scholar Sasha Talaver examines how the Kremlin fuses militarization with demographic policy, weaponizing reproduction for imperial ambitions.

Weaponizing The Family Unit

A March 8th reflection on how the Kremlin is militarizing women’s bodies and social reproduction to address a demographic crisis.

doxaenglish.substack.com

Meduza summarizes a new report from @doxajournal.bsky.social about how the Russian authorities have invested in pro-Kremlin influencers to promote friendly narratives about life in annexed Ukraine.

‘Thanks, Uncle Vova’ Moscow invests in pro-Russian influencers to spread propaganda in occupied Ukraine — Meduza

The Russian government has been investing in a powerful propaganda tool in Ukraine’s occupied territories: video bloggers. These pro-Russian influencers film upbeat reviews of cafes in the…

buff.ly

DOXA Journal and other exiled Russian media face a crisis. As Russia once again takes center-stage in global discourse, it's vital for us to keep exposing the reality of its regime.

We're looking for pitches! If you're a freelance journalist or a budding scholar with compelling ideas on Russia or the post-Soviet space, pitch us at: english@doxa.team. Check out our pitching guide here: doxaenglish.substack.com/p/pitching-g...

Russia is among several countries using nationalist rhetoric to push childbirth—and alienate women who don’t comply. Our latest piece traces the worldwide origins of "traditional values."

Russian student media co-founder Armen Aramyan sentenced to 10 years in absentia on wartime censorship and “justifying terrorism” charges The @doxajournal.bsky.social editor's case centered on a tweet mapping Russia's crimes in Bucha and an op-ed urging resistance.

Russian student media co-founder Armen Aramyan sentenced to 10 years in absentia on wartime censorship and “justifying terrorism” charges

A Russian court has sentenced Armen Aramyan, co-founder of the independent student magazine DOXA, to 10 years and 1 month in prison in absentia on charges of justifying terrorism and spreading “false ...

theins.press

From maternity benefits to abortion bans: how the Kremlin’s “family values” crusade mirrors a global shift in authoritarian pronatalism—and why it owes more to American neoconservatives than Russian tradition. Our latest for the substack:

Where Did "Traditional Values" Come From?

How the Kremlin moved from supporting mothers to restricting abortions: the roots of aggressive pronatalism, and the surprising role of the American Neoconservative movement.

doxaenglish.substack.com

Today marks three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Early in the conflict, DOXA Journal profiled a teenager from Chernihiv. In a follow-up conversation three years later, her reflections remind us that, for many, the war remains a harsh, unyielding reality.

Hi! DOXA’s English editor here. This week’s piece—translated from our Russian outlet—looks at how Russia’s stand-up comedians are struggling to navigate wartime censorship. Some comedians rely on wordplay to slip past censorship laws, while others fear the genre is on the verge of disappearing.

“If This Keeps Up, Stand-Up in Russia Will Disappear Entirely”: How Russian Comedians Struggle With Tightening Censorship Amid War and Repression

DOXA analyzed over 200 YouTube videos from popular independent stand-up clubs and interviewed comedians still in Russia to understand what subjects remain safe for jokes—and which are off-limits.

doxaenglish.substack.com

Read Ilya Matveev on Navalny's legacy at @doxajournal.bsky.social: doxaenglish.substack.com/p/the-landsc...

The Landscape After the Battle

A year after Alexei Navalny’s death, his movement struggles to redefine itself—fractured, exiled, and estranged from political action. Yet his vision for a democratic Russia endures.

doxaenglish.substack.com

Today marks one year since Alexei Navalny died in a remote Russian prison colony. In our second of two pieces to mark the anniversary, UC Berkeley visiting scholar Ilya Matveev reflects on a bygone world that vanished with Navalny himself.

The Landscape After the Battle

A year after Alexei Navalny’s death, his movement struggles to redefine itself—fractured, exiled, and estranged from political action. Yet his vision for a democratic Russia endures.

doxaenglish.substack.com

For our first of two pieces on the one-year anniversary of Alexei Navalny's death, @nataliabaranova.bsky.social reflects on the need for collective action and new activism models to combat the challenges of global authoritarianism.

After Alexei Navalny

Reimagining resistance in an age of global authoritarianism.

open.substack.com

My column on Alexey Navalny's death anniversary and critical reflection on his impact on Russian politics and activism. I urgently call to address the root causes of war; and offer to practice solidarity, hope, and care in our resistance in a time of far-right: open.substack.com/pub/doxaengl...

After Alexei Navalny

Reimagining resistance in an age of global authoritarianism.

open.substack.com

February 16 will mark one year since Alexei Navalny’s death in a Russian prison colony. For our first of two guest essays reflecting on his legacy, exiled scholar Natalia Baranova urges a broader collective response to resist authoritarian control.

After Alexei Navalny

Reimagining resistance in an age of global authoritarianism.

doxaenglish.substack.com

DOXA turns 8! Founded as a student journal in Moscow, we defended student rights, helped detainees at protests, faced political persecution, and went into exile. Today, we continue reporting on Russia despite being labeled an "undesirable organization."

Hi, I’m the new English editor at Doxa Journal. We’re launching a weekly newsletter with original reporting, in-depth analysis on Russia. Our first issue features an interview with Kevin Lick, who, at 17 became the youngest person in Russia ever charged with treason.

Arrested at 17 for High Treason, Freed at 19 In a Historic Prisoner Swap

An interview with Kevin Lick, the Russian-German dual national who was exchanged alongside Russian opposition leaders after spending over a year in a Russian jail.

doxaenglish.substack.com