Grigory Pasko: New Mayor, Old Promises

By Grigory Pasko | Published: May 29, 2008

New mayor, old promises By Grigory Pasko, journalist Former member of the Legislative Assembly of Primorye [Primorsky Kray, one of the subjects (provinces) of the Russian Federation, whose capital is Vladivostok—Trans.] in the Federation Council of the RF, member of the party «United Russia» Igor Pushkarev on 23 May assumed the post of mayor of […]

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Rare Moments in Russian Justice

By James Kimer | Published:

First we had the positive decision for Manana Aslamazyan yesterday, and now this … dare we feel optimistic? I may have to stop using the word “rare” so often. From AP: A judge’s call of interference holds hope for Russia’s troubled justice system MOSCOW (AP) – It was a rare moment in the politically charged, […]

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Post-Putin Perestroika

By James Kimer | Published:

Lyndon at the always-excellent Scraps of Moscow had posted an interesting article from JRL: “Many liberals are waiting for the release from prison of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an oligarch jailed by Putin for his political ambitions. However, Medvedev would have a more difficult time releasing Khodorkovsky than attacking the imperial ideology. (…) It would be easier […]

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Energy Blast – May 29, 2008

By Citizen M | Published:

Russia, Canada, Greenland, Denmark, Norway and the US, which border the potentially energy-rich Arctic Ocean, have met in Greenland in an attempt to head off a new “gold rush” in the high north. The UN is set to rule on the arctic seabed’s ownership, but nonetheless, the Arctic nations have been accused of paving the […]

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Today in Russian Business – May 29, 2008

By Citizen M | Published:

Following the arrest of its owner earlier this year, Arbat Prestige, one of Russia’s oldest and largest cosmetics chains, could be shut down permanently in the next few weeks. Vladimir Potanin and Alisher Usmanov have agreed to create a “global mining leader“, inviting Oleg Deripaska’s Basic Element to join as a partner. English department store […]

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RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – May 29, 2008

By Citizen M | Published:

TODAY: Yukos “hatchet man” hired as presidential aide; Georgia accuses Russia of trying to block its Nato membership; EU-Russia pact to take more than a year to complete; Putin in France for 2-day visit; Winnie the Pooh/Medvedev comparison upsets Zhirinovsky. Anton Ustinov, the tax official who pressed claims against former oil company Yukos, has been […]

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The Legitimacy Crisis of 21st Century Autocracy

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: May 28, 2008

Although this blog was launched two years ago with Russia and Europe as the main focus, in coming weeks and months I’m planning to expand coverage to other regions where I work; emerging areas which are similarly stifled by the issues of rule of law, polemics of state-owned business, and civil society development. Case in […]

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Stanislav Markelov: Defending the Victim in Russia

By James Kimer | Published:

Stanislav Markelov is one of Russia’s most talented and brave human rights lawyers, and we’ve been pleased to share some of his material in translation on this blog in the past. (Download his bio here). Over the years he has been involved in some of the most contentious and dangerous cases against Russian Army and […]

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Grigory Pasko: Looking a gift horse in the mouth, Part 6

By Grigory Pasko | Published:

[See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5 of this series.] Nord Stream, Scandinavian Style or The Cold War, Continued Part 6 By Grigory Pasko, journalist Если Вы хотите прочитать оригинал данной статьи на русском языке, нажмите сюда. The Baltic Sea (photo by Grigory Pasko) Here’s a list of questions that […]

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McCain’s Doublespeak on Russia

By Robert Amsterdam | Published:

Some bloggers are leaping all over John McCain for his comments this week about his aim to build a deepening alliance with Russia to prevent nuclear proliferation – not because he had the bravery to broach this urgent and difficult subject – but because his comments clashed so strongly with his Los Angeles World Affairs […]

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