Author and activist Masha Gessen follows the experiences of half-dozen Russians whose lives have been changed by Putin's retro-totalitarian state.
Author Masha Gessen left Russia seven months ago, leaving behind a burning shame over her former country's "continuing slide into darkness."
With all the drama over Russia's intentions in Crimea, another Russian story has been pushed to the back pages. Pussy Riot. Now the Russian punk protest group is back in the headlines. There's a disturbing video making the rounds, that shows an apparent attack on two Pussy Riot members.
A Russian-American journalist says Russia's President Vladimir Putin is "ruining" the country. She says the case of imprisoned businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky is an example of how Putin quashes political dissent.
Russia's dissident punk band Pussy Riot has released a new protest video criticizing big oil companies and President Putin. Marco Werman speaks with journalist Masha Gessen, who recently spent four hours visiting a leading member of the group in prison.
In Russia, there's very little support for same sex marriage. In fact, several Russian municipalities have passed "homosexual propaganda" laws banning any mention of same sex marriage in front of minors.
Russian journalist Masha Gessen lost her job as editor of a nature magazine for refusing to cover Vladimir Putin. This week, Putin invited Gessen for a chat at the Kremlin. Gessen says this was an unusual encounter and a candid talk with Russia's leader.
Not every journalist in Russia was happy to cover Vladimir Putin's escapade when he led cranes across the Arctic in a motorized hang-glider. Masha Gessen tells host Lisa Mullins why she refused to cover the event, and as a result lost her job.
A ban on alcohol advertising has gone into effect in Russia. It is part of Russian officials' work to address the country's drinking problem.
Marco Werman talks with Moscow-based journalist Masha Gessen about Russia's relationship with Syria.