What Resisting Russians Are Reading

The newest political act in President Vladimir Putin’s Russia? Reading. As in Soviet times, writes Andrei Kolesnikov, when people are unable to protest openly, they express a “different kind of resistance by readingg literature that is banned, discouraged, or casts an unfavorable light on the regime.” Kolesnikov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Moscow Center, notes that there has been a surge in interest in stories of spies and espionage. (FP’s own I Spy podcast, which is now four seasons strong, is a great starting point if you’re similarly inclined.)

Most intriguing, though, is the upswing in sales of books about Nazi Germany among Russian readers—and not the usual fare about Soviet heroism in the Great Patriotic War, either. “At first glance, this kind of resistance might not seem like much,” writes Kolesnikov. “Yet the act of reading these books should not be dismissed lightly. It matters for the future of Russia which books its citizens are reading.”—The editors

New and Noteworthy

• Sudan’s Crisis: The collapse of Sudan's democratic transition has led to anger and backlash in Washington among diplomats and aid officials. Read FP reporter Robbie Gramer’s “How the U.S. Fumbled Sudan’s Hopes for Democracy.” Plus, this past Sunday’s Flash Points newsletter was a roundup of some of FP’s best reporting on the U.S. role in this crisis. Sign up for Flash Points, a free weekly themed journey through our archive, here.
• The Bid to Dethrone the Dollar: The talk of de-dollarization is in the air. Fueled by fears of U.S. sanctions, Russia and China appear to be ramping up efforts, yet again, to use the renminbi in trade with partners. Here’s why, despite the hype, the greenback’s dominance is here to stay.
• How Cannes Got Its Glitz: Ahead of the film festival starting tomorrow, read a review of a new book that details the transformation of this remote stretch of the French coastline into a legendary hub for the rich and famous.

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Ukraine and the Global South

May 17, 2023  |  11 a.m. EDT

Can Ukraine swing the global south? What tools and leverage does Kyiv have over New Delhi, Brasília, or Jakarta? And amid these efforts, what are Ukraine’s plans to maintain Western support? Join Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova in conversation with FP’s Ravi Agrawal as they discuss a crucial angle in the continuing war in Ukraine. Register here.

Should Governments Regulate AI?

June 1, 2023  |  11 a.m. EDT

Is U.S. President Joe Biden’s White House prepared to deal with the remarkable growth of artificial intelligence? What are the current and potential risks to Americans? Join Alondra Nelson, the architect of the White House’s “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights,” and formerly the head of the White House’s Science and Technology policy, for a wide-ranging discussion with FP’s Ravi Agrawal. Register here.

Inside the U.S.-China Tech War

June 20, 2023  |  11 a.m. EDT

Where is the new tech war between the United States and China headed? How are other countries being impacted as a result? In what ways are they reassessing their relationships with the world’s largest economic superpowers? Join FP’s Ravi Agrawal in conversation with technology expert Dan Wang for a discussion about China’s technological rise and whether U.S. actions can really stop it. Register here.

Exercise Your Mind

The two warring factions in Sudan signed a deal on Thursday. Which of the following is not part of their agreement? 

1. A cease-fire
2. Restoration of electricity and other services
3. Protection of civilians
4. Permission to allow humanitarian aid entry into the country

You can find the answer to this question at the end of this email. Click here to take the rest of our weekly news quiz.

South Asia Brief: India and the Gulf Are Getting Cozy—to Counter China

A new project aims to link New Delhi to the Middle East through roads, rails, and seaports.

Last weekend, national security advisors from India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh to discuss an ambitious connectivity project to link the Middle East to India through roads, rails, and seaports. The idea emerged during meetings of the I2U2 group—which also includes Israel—over the last year, Axios reported.

The proposed initiative signals that India and the United States are ready to take their joint efforts to counter China beyond the Indo-Pacific region and into the Middle East. It’s clear the Biden administration views the connectivity project as a way to balance Chinese power in the region. “Nobody said it out loud, but it was about China from day one,” a former senior Israeli official told Axios.

This is a bit surprising: The I2U2 group—a relatively new vehicle for U.S.-India cooperation in the Middle East—was not envisioned as a China-focused entity, given the close commercial cooperation that both the UAE and Israel enjoy with China… 

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Answer: 1.) A cease-fire. The United States’ mishandling of Sudan’s democratic transition helped fuel the current conflict, FP’s Robbie Gramer reports.