Sanctions on Rosoboronexport

It’s a scary situation when after oil and gas, a country’s top export is arms. Somehow I just don’t see that really helping the world. Although India and China are traditionally the largest buyers, Russia has been ambitiously expanding its weapons customer portfolio and enjoying an estimated 23% growth in sales from last year. It’s […]

RA in the WSJ: Russia’s Jailed Bellwether

Tomorrow will mark the fifth anniversary of the arrest of Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Today Robert Amsterdam has an opinion article published in the Wall Street Journal in commemoration. Also see an article published earlier this week about the case by the New York Times. Russia’s Jailed Bellwether A CEO’s fate shows Moscow’s true colors By Robert […]

Fear and Whining in Florida

As my week in New York City draws to close I’m relieved to be headed back home, both to see my family and to get away from the non-stop election coverage that I masochistically subject myself to. Here’s a thought that I am sure is shared by many other Americans: I am sick and tired […]

Google Blocked in Russia

This one comes from from Silicon Alley Insider: The Russian government blocked Google from acquiring contextual advertising firm Begun. Google would have paid Russian portal Rambler $140 million for its subsidiary, but Russian authorities say Google failed to provide “documented information about individuals that may influence the business group Google.” A Rambler shareholder told Russian […]

Video: Medvedev Drops the C-Bomb

No, not the c-bomb that John McCain dropped, but rather he said the forbidden word regarding the current economy…

Video: Russia’s Debt Rating Gets Downgraded

Between Business as Usual and Isolation

This is from Michael McFaul’s recent testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on Sept. 9, 2008. Two responses currently being debated among America’s foreign policy elite – business as usual and isolation – must be avoided. This first school of unqualified engagement contends that we need Russia on so many crucial issues, and […]

The Azeri Dance

Good piece in the New York Times today about Azerbaijan. “Azerbaijan is doing a dance between the West and Russia,” said Isa Gambar, an Azeri opposition figure. “Until now, there was an unspoken consensus. Georgia was with the West, Armenia was an outpost of Russia, and Azerbaijan was in the middle.” But with the war […]

Human Rights Goes on Trial in Singapore with Chee Soon Juan Case

As many regular readers of my blog already know, I am involved in the international legal support of the Singapore dissident Chee Soon Juan. Today he went on trial, and the following press release has been distributed to media. I urge everyone to support his important cause. Human Rights Goes on Trial in Singapore with […]

The Solution to the U.S. Economic Crisis

Who says propaganda’s dead? RIA Novosti reports: Lukashenko says crisis prompts U.S. to look to Belarus model. Oh yes, that’s a great idea. What we really need are political prisoners, no free speech, flagrant corruption, zero transparency, and a Kremlin-owned dictator to stay in power for at least 14 years. That’s what we should be […]