Month: August 2010

August 6, 2010

What’s in a Name?

Medvedev announced today he wants the Russian police to be called by its pre-communist era name. “We need professional people. We need personnel who work efficiently and honestly,” RFE/RL quotes Medvedev. “So I believe that the t...
August 6, 2010

Russia’s Influence in the Caucasus

Writing in the Financial Times, Thomas de Waal takes a look at Russia-Georgia relations two years after the war. He argues that the conflict ended up weakening Russia’s position in the region and that Russia is now moving away from trying to...
August 6, 2010

Bringing the Near Abroad Closer to Home

Here’s some fodder for Russia apologists: In Foreign Policy this week, Leland R. Miller argues that Russia is using the Collective Security Treaty Organization, an often-overlooked alliance of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan...
August 6, 2010

Energy Blast – Aug 6, 2010

Under a new deal signed by the two countries’ presidents, Russia will provide South Africa’s nuclear power stations with uranium until at least 2017, which, according to Rosatom, will give Russia control over 45% of South Africa’...
August 6, 2010

Today in Russian Business – Aug 6, 2010

Russia will tighten security over grain stockpiles following its decision to ban grain exports, which has already caused an 8% price jump and ‘sparked a buying frenzy‘, with many analysts speculating on the likelihood of a world food c...
August 6, 2010

RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – Aug 6, 2010

TODAY: Fire death toll hits 50 as compensation draws criticism; Kremlin silent on Strategy 31 criticism from the US; two years on from Georgian war, Medvedev has no regrets; debate with Japan continues; embezzlement witness killed; Chirikova fined...
August 5, 2010

Markets React to Russia’s Wheat Export Ban

Russia’s ban on exporting wheat as a measure to help the domestic market cope with the country’s ongoing draught has had an immediate effect, driving up wheat prices around the world. Putin announced the ban today, in an apparent sudde...
August 5, 2010

Possible Benefits of Privatization

Writing in the Moscow Times, Kim Iskyan argues that, despite many critics’ skepticism, the Kremlin’s recenlty-announced privatization plan could bring some positive developments, namely, help create a push for a better, less corrupt in...
August 5, 2010

Medvedev on Georgia

Speaking to the press just days before the two-year anniversary of the South Ossetia War, Medvedev blamed the unimproved relations between the two countries on Georgia’s leadership. Russia’s news agency reports: “Russia is not gu...
August 5, 2010

Kara-Murza and Opposition Nostalgia

Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Solidarity leader, has published a new op/ed in the Wall Street Journal denouncing the terribly pointless arrest of Boris Nemtsov.  In the article, Kara-Murza draws comparisons between the 1960s dissident gatherings on ...