While critics argue that the Kremlin is responsible for Nemtsov's death -- if not for the killing itself, then for creating an anti-opposition atmosphere in which radicals could act -- Russian authorities have denied any involvement.
Despite the highly charged atmosphere, opposition to Jordan's involvement in the U.S.-led U.S.-ledn is not out of line with popular sentiment, said Mohammad Shalabi, the Salafist party leader better known as Abu Sayyaf.
In that atmosphere, the opposition's escalations and the Islamists' response has become more combustible, raising the specter of political violence.
The Saudi reform debate, according to one participant, has taken place in an atmosphere of opposition from senior princes, including Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz, the minister of interior, and to a lesser extent, Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, the minister of defense.
Human rights campaigners say this election – in a country which has never held a vote deemed free and fair by the OSCE – is taking place in a stifling atmosphere: no opposition parties exist, the media is muzzled and thousands of dissenters are in prison, where torture is rife, because of their political or religious beliefs.
Wales manager Chris Coleman believes his side can cope with a hostile atmosphere and opposition "play-acting" when they face Israel on Saturday.
Adding to Venezuela's tinder-box atmosphere, Venezuelan opposition supporters were taking to the streets again on Wednesday, to block roads around the nation for four hours with barricades.
In a tinderbox atmosphere, where opposition supporters are convinced that their candidate, Raila Odinga, was cheated of victory in last week's presidential election, the images spread on social media are incendiary.
(Or is the message that people are trying to get across that the Welsh teacher deserves less?) Meanwhile, conference organisers, in an attempt to make Bell feel at home in what could be an uncomfortable atmosphere due to opposition from teachers to the Government's school reforms told him: "We don't shoot the messenger".
Evans (R-Wash)., a supporter of the sale, said he thought that the attack on the Stark had "poisoned the atmosphere," inciting congressional opposition to the deal.
"If a political interest group had set out to create an atmosphere in which any opposition to the G-8 could be made to seem downright subversive, this is the way they might have gone about it," he said.
