Month: August 2009

August 24, 2009

The Left’s Problems with Stalin

This is from a pretty interesting piece by James Marson in the Guardian: There are three ways that people justify Stalin. First, he was a “successful dictator” in the second world war and the industrialisation drive; second, his record...
August 24, 2009

Energy Blast – August 24, 2009

Following the hydropower disaster, Vladimir Putin has instructed Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko to submit proposals for regulating the wholesale power market to prevent high increases in prices.  Anti-monopoly chief Igor Artemyev has said tha...
August 24, 2009

Today in Russian Business – August 24, 2009

General Motors advisers are apparently recommending that the company walk away from Magna’s Merkel-backed bid to acquire Opel and instead seek out aid from other European governments to retain control of the unit itself.  ‘Every d...
August 24, 2009

RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – August 24, 2009

TODAY: Ingush President returns to work; concerns about dam surfaced decade ago; Georgian minister retracts comments on US aid; Medvedev in Mongolia.  TB alert; anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact sees debates resurface.President Medve...
August 21, 2009

Paying Out the Dead

One can appreciate Vladimir Putin’s genuine efforts in response to the tragic accident at the hydroelectric dam in Sayano-Shushenskaya.  He’s ordered a probe into the state’s infrastructure, and promised to boost much needed...
August 21, 2009

Energy Blast – August 21, 2009

Following the hydropower plant disaster, President Medvedev instructed the government ‘to provide uninterrupted energy supply to industrial enterprises, social institutions and the population’. Apparently Rushydro will not raise its pr...
August 21, 2009

Today in Russian Business – August 21, 2009

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has reiterated her preference for Magna in its bid for Opel and described herself as ‘very skeptical’ about rival bidder RHJ International’s prospects.  Finally some good news for ailing Lada-...
August 21, 2009

RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – August 21, 2009

TODAY: Putin orders infrastructure overhaul; blogger charged; Rogozin praises cooperation with NATO. Abkhazia warns Georgia over blockade; criminal charges for ‘negligent’ Ingushetia police; fire at rights organization HQ.  Medved...
August 20, 2009

Growing Isolation in Moscow

Here is the beginning of the latest excellent column by Philip Stephens in the Financial Times: The conventional story about Russia has been one of power reclaimed after the fall to chaos during the 1990s. Oil, gas and autocracy have restored it t...
August 20, 2009

Sympathy for Stalin

Poor Joseph Stalin.  Sure, he personally signed orders to kill hundreds of thousands, but why can’t the media leave the poor guy alone?  Efforts in Russia to rejuvenate his image have been creative…  We had the RussiaTod...