Exploiting the Phraseology of Democracy

By James Kimer | Published: September 17, 2007

The great Serge Schmemann of the IHT has published quite a compelling opinion article on objectives and perspectives of Vladimir Putin: The implication is clear – those quaint times are behind us. He does not disown the Soviet Union, which he served as an agent of the KGB, but the Russia he repeatedly invokes is […]

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The King of Consumer Banking in Russia

By James Kimer | Published:

Meet Roustam Tariko, owner of the Russian Standard vodka brand, and king of consumer credit lending in Russia – one of the country’s most promising areas of economic growth alongside retail. Today the International Herald Tribune is running an interesting profile of his businesses, and the changes currently unfolding as Russia’s banking system matures into […]

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Audio: RA Interview with ABC Australia – Sunday Profile

By James Kimer | Published:

In this 25-minute radio interview with ABC Australia’s Monica Attard, Robert Amsterdam discusses the Khodorkovsky case, Russia’s energy relations, and the business climate. From ABC: MONICA ATTARD: Now Khodorkovsky is going to face another raft of charges quite soon, is he not? ROBERT AMSTERDAM: Yes. MONICA ATTARD: And what will they relate to? ROBERT AMSTERDAM: […]

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RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – Sept. 17, 2007

By Citizen M | Published:

Astronauts Faiz Khaleed (R) of Malaysia, Michael Fincke of the U.S. (L) and Salizhan Sharipov of Russia wave as they start their exams in Star City Cosmonaut Training Centre outside Moscow, September 17, 2007. (Photo: REUTERS/Sergei Remezov) Backing his assertion that the race for the presidency is wide open, Vladimir Putin has discussed five possible […]

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The Gazoviki in Germany

By Robert Amsterdam | Published:

Below is an excerpt of exclusive translation of a long investigative article from German magazine Stern by journalist Hans-Martin Tillack. The article may be somewhat over-dramatized (characterizing Gazprom’s acquisitions as an “invasion” really misses the point), but nevertheless contains excellent and detailed information on Gazprom’s diverse shareholdings in Germany. The original German version can be […]

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RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – Sept. 14, 2007

By Citizen M | Published: September 14, 2007

Who says I’m colorless? New Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov holds flowers at the parliament in Moscow on Friday, Sept. 14, 2007. (Photo: AP) The Duma has approved Viktor Zubkov, Vladimir Putin’s surprise Prime Minister, a move which is being compared to Boris Yeltsin’s appointment of Putin as PM in 1999. Zubkov addressed the final […]

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Gazprom Looks into French Pipeline Company?

By James Kimer | Published:

Sometimes the best indication of what Gazprom is going to do is what they specifically insist they won’t do. Perhaps for this reason, rumors on European markets that Gazprom is interested in acquiring the French steel pipe manufacturer Vallourec simply won’t die down, despite the Russians’ repeated statements that they are not interested in this […]

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Video: The New Russian Government

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: September 13, 2007

Below is a BBC newsreel covering the major shift in government in Russia. Not much new information, and lots of the old theories get circulated here, but we are also treated to some of the strangely staged footage that was aired on Russian television.

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Kremlinology Wisdom

By Robert Amsterdam | Published:

Just saw this in the FT: “Kremlinology is not an exact science.” Gee, thanks for imparting that bit of wisdom.

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Fradkov’s Immaculate Resignation and Putin’s Zubkov Shuffle

By Robert Amsterdam | Published:

“It was too early to put Putin in. Someone else had to fill the gap. I needed someone to serve as decoy.” – From Boris Yeltsin’s memoir “Midnight Diaries” (page 284) on the appointment of Vladimir Putin as Prime Minister. Putin was Yeltsin’s favored successor as early as March 1999, but in order to protect […]

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