Putin’s Military Festival Axed as Humiliating Cancellations Spiral

Alexander Kazakov / via REUTERS Vladimir Putin’s annual military band festival has been canceled for only the second time ever, as the Russian president’s public humiliation spirals. Organizers of the Spasskaya Tower International Military Music Festival, which was due to start on Aug. 21 and run for nine days, released a mysterious statement on Monday, citing “reasons beyond the organizers’ control.” The festival, which features performances on Red Square by military bands from across the…