Corey Flintoff

Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov's classic, The Master and Margarita, ridiculed Soviet leaders and bureaucracy. It wasn't published until 27 years after his death, but it still resonates with Russians.

Russia is jailing three prominent figures from Ukraine and Estonia on what critics say are highly questionable charges. The cases also reflect the friction between Russia and its neighbors.

A tabloid and a TV channel have given play to theories asking if Americans plotted the attacks. Also, some religious figures have said Charlie Hebdo staff brought the violence on themselves.

Uzbekistan has been a key partner for the U.S. in the Afghan war. Now that the U.S. role in that war is winding down, will Uzbekistan's poor human rights record become more of an issue?

Igor Girkin claims to have touched off the conflagration, and he says he's proud of what he did. The former member of the Russian security service has a knack for turning up in tumultuous places.

Alexei Navalny is an anti-corruption blogger who helped organize massive anti-government protests 3 years ago. He's been the target of criminal cases that have hampered his political activities.

Vladimir Putin's popularity soared after the Winter Olympics and the annexation of Crimea. But his year is ending on a bitter note, with Russia in a deep recession and isolated internationally.

Despite tensions between Russia and the West, Moscow is forging links with far-right, anti-EU parties in Europe. They're attracted to the traditional social values of Vladimir Putin's Russia.

The Russian ruble hit new lows on Tuesday despite efforts by the country's central bank to stop the selling. The currency lost 11 percent of its value.

A rooster crowing in the dead of night? A sinister ice-cream truck on the streets of Moscow? No, it's the musical automaton clock at the Puppet Theater in Russia.

Russian performers who have criticized the country's role in Ukraine have been denounced on TV programs and had concert dates abruptly canceled.

Western sanctions are biting, oil prices are down sharply, and the Russian currency is tanking. The government now expects the economy to shrink in 2015.