Free Republic

Since then, Putin increasingly has referred to Russia as distinct from the West. He promotes an “orthodox morality” that rejects Western notions of tolerance and inclusive societies — seen domestically in the imprisonment of Pussy Riot, new “anti-propaganda” laws targeting gays and a crackdown on any media deviating from the Kremlin line. The West discounted much of this exceptionalist narrative until it was used in Crimea. Putin’s soldiers-of-no-nation are branded “local self-defense forces” to underscore native pro-Russian support. The relentless information war propagates perceptions of ethnic-religious divisions and Western “hypocrisy.” Financial weapons underscore Putin’s reliance on oligarch-princes to revitalize orthodoxy...

Iran shuts 'Western' barber shops Iranian police have closed more than 20 barbers' shops in the capital Tehran. The authorities say the barbers were encouraging un-Islamic behaviour by offering Western hairstyles, tattooing and also eyebrow-plucking for men. Police say they have inspected more than 700 shops during a two-week crackdown in the city. The move is part of an annual campaign against what is known locally as bad hijab, or un-Islamic clothing, that this year is also targeting men. Hundreds of women and men have already been cautioned. Police say that as well as avoiding Western hairstyles and make up,...