Russia

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov links the attacks to Russia's need for its own Internet. It is a "geopolitical angle to try to defend their own steps," says Internet freedom expert Sanja Kelly.

NPR's Scott Simon reflects on the treatment of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia. Branded as "religious extremists," dozens of Witnesses were arrested in recent raids in Siberia.

Thirty years ago, the Soviet Union withdrew from a disastrous nine-year war in Afghanistan. "Those who fought are being looked up to again," says one Russian veteran.

Russian lawmakers have passed a bill restricting social media and smartphone use by service members.

Michigan resident Paul Whelan has been held in a Russian prison since he was arrested in December on suspicion of spying. His family says he was just attending a friend's wedding in Moscow.

Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe told CBS and NPR that officials had discussed invoking the 25th Amendment, a procedure which takes power away from the president.

The suspect is a high-ranking officer in Russia's military intelligence agency, Bellingcat says. The group accuses the Russian government of expunging documents to conceal the man's identity.

The brother of Paul Whelan, the American arrested in Moscow in late December, says Russia has given the family no information for why he is being accused of spying.

Authorities recommended conducting the test so that the country can assess its cyberdefenses in case of aggression, Russian media report.

Dennis Christensen was arrested during prayer. "I hope today is the day Russia defends religious freedom," he said before the verdict. Critics call it a severe crackdown on religious freedom.

The U.S. said last week it would stop abiding by the Cold War treaty banning intermediate-range nuclear missiles. "Our response will be symmetrical," Russian President Vladimir Putin said.