Russia's 'geopolitical stigma'

+ symbol of Spain’s housing crisis

Europe Edition - Today's top story: How the 'geopolitical stigma' associated with Putin's Russia is affecting ordinary Russians October 15, 2026 Europe Edition   The war in Ukraine has shattered Russia’s global reputation. A survey of 137 countries carried out shortly after the 2022 invasion found that 57% disapproved of Russia’s leadership, up from 38% a year before. The conflict also appears to be having a profound effect on how ordinary Russians view their home country. As part of her research, Marina Yusupova-Ryder interviewed the same group of Russian men ten years apart, first in 2013 and then again in 2023. She found a dramatic change in their stance on Russia over this period, with many speaking of the shame they now felt at being associated with their homeland. Their approaches to dealing with Russia’s “geopolitical stigma” differed. But one thing was clear: being Russian had become something that most of the men felt they had to explain, defend, distance themselves from or rethink. Elsewhere, we look at how the eviction and death of an 87-year-old disabled woman has become a central political topic in Spain ahead of the upcoming general election. Maricarmen Abascal came to symbolise Spain’s housing crisis but her story has also become a political football. And here are five research-based tips to help you get more from dating apps.   Sam Phelps Commissioning Editor, International Affairs, London   People go about their daily life in the Russian capital, Moscow, in 2023. Arnold O. A. Pinto / Shutterstock How the ‘geopolitical stigma’ associated with Putin’s Russia is affecting ordinary Russians Marina Yusupova-Ryder, Edinburgh Napier University The full-scale invasion of Ukraine changed more than Russia’s relations with the west – it changed the meaning of being Russian. Maricarmen Abascal, who was evicted on September 23, became a symbol of Spain’s housing protests. She died on October 7 in a Madrid hospital. Barcex/Wikimedia Commons Maricarmen Abascal: how a disabled, evicted 87-year-old woman became a political football in Spain’s upcoming election Dolors Palau-Sampio, Universitat de València Maricarmen Abascal’s eviction and activism made her an emblem of Spain’s mass housing protests. New research reveals that dating app users adopt and often combine three strategies: the romantic approach (i.e. steadily developing connections over time), a shopper strategy or a passive stance which lets the app be their guide. Studio Romantic/Shutterstock (no reuse) Five ways to beat dating algorithms at their own game Stefania Masè, IPAG Business School; Alisa Minina Jeunemaître, EM Lyon Business School; Jamie Smith, Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo da Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV/EAESP) There is a reason why algorithms make love at first swipe hard to come by. New research offers strategies for using dating apps wisely and breaking the “swipe cycle”.   How one of the world’s biggest music stars is transforming the Spanish language Lourdes Moreno Cazalla, Universidad Nebrija According to certain Iberian critics, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny doesn’t speak ‘proper’ Spanish. French school protests: a rite of passage – and the result of genuine concerns Joseph Downing, Aston University Problems – and protests – regarding conditions in French schools go back decades.   Navi Pillay’s Nobel Peace Prize is an example of how international law trumps the law of the jungle Chloé Maurel, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne 85 year-old Navi Pillay served as a leading national (during apartheid in South Africa) and international jurist. By appointing her, the Nobel Committee is making a stand which has drawn praise and condemnation. Donald Trump aligns with Vladimir Putin yet again, leaving Ukraine – and US relations with Europe – under pressure Stefan Wolff, University of Birmingham The US president appears to have made an abrupt about-turn in US policy towards Russia and the Ukraine war.   Will AI be good or bad for the climate? Here’s what the latest evidence on energy use suggests Francesco Grillo, Bocconi University AI data centres are using vast amounts of energy, but that is expected to grow fast. Menopause is a biological transition that’s become a lucrative consumer business Jennifer Takhar, SKEMA Business School; Anna Schneider-Kamp While menopause media coverage helps to bust taboos, it also fosters a lucrative, social media and business-driven market that takes advantage of woman’s need for support. La Bola Negra is about the Spanish Civil War – but is unmistakably about our present moment Nicholas Manganas, University of Technology Sydney Set across 1932, 1937 and 2017, new Spanish film La Bola Negra follows three gay men whose lives become connected across generations. France’s student uprising and young people’s mental health – what are the common causes? Maria Melchior, Inserm; Sorbonne Université; Camille Davisse-Paturet, Inserm; Sorbonne Université Two researchers explore the connections between France’s ongoing student movement and mental health related to academic pressure and conditions in secondary and higher education. Women are more emotionally intelligent than men, and that’s a problem – landmark study Mary M. Hausfeld, University of Limerick; Jochen Menges, University of Zurich New research - it’s one of the largest studies of emotional intelligence to date Inside two prison systems: why Denmark and the UK punish so differently Julie Laursen, University of Copenhagen Punishment and trust: what prison systems in Denmark and the UK reveal about two different countries. China and the EU could turn Morocco into a surprise global hub for electric vehicles Linda Calabrese, ODI Global; Jodie Keane, ODI Global The north African country has attracted huge amounts of investment.     You’re receiving this newsletter from The Conversation The Conversation France (assoc. 1901) 14, rue Sainte-Cécile 75009 Paris