Justice for Viktor Bout!
When it comes to Russian diplomacy, tit-for-tat is a natural reflex. We’ve seen it repeatedly from the expulsion of diplomats, awards given to Cold War spies, and peculiar analogies. While it’s all sadly childish, the measures usually don’t amount to anything meaningful or lasting. Until now.
Uzbekistan Takes a Hostage in Foreign Investment Dispute
After months of threats, harassment, and terrorizing of the company by the tax authorities, a military court has tried and sentenced an Oxus employee, Said Ashurov, to 12 years in prison on patently absurd charges of “espionage.” The case serves as an ugly reminder how hostage taking has become a regular feature of state theft in the CIS, and we certainly hope that cooler heads will prevail in Tashkent to put an end to this worsening crisis.
Amsterdam & Peroff LLP Joins Legal Team of Nigerian Politician Yusuf Tuggar to Fight Electoral Fraud Case
The following press release was distributed via wire this morning: London, August 5, 2011 — International law firm Amsterdam & Peroff LLP has been retained to assist the legal team of Mallam Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, a popular Nigerian politician, in an alleged case of massive electoral fraud in the gubernatorial elections of the state of […]
Should Medvedev Cross the Rubicon?
Yurgens and Gontmakher were less than subtle in demanding that their friend Dmitry Medvedev declare his candidacy. But others disagree with their reasoning.
The Election in Russia Does Not Matter
Interesting analysis in the Financial Times today from Charles Grant, director of the Centre for European Reform, arguing that it doesn’t matter who becomes the next president of Russia. The next president is unlikely to allow a more pluralistic political system, significantly strengthen the rule of law or tackle corruption. Nor is he likely to […]
A Preview of Putin’s Election Rhetoric
Vladimir Putin made a televised visit to the annual Nashi summer camp at Seliger yesterday, and, as might be expected, he tailored his messages for the domestic audience. Forget economic modernization, forget global leadership in helping solve Libya and Syria, forget liberalization and changes to the criminal code – just go straight to the nationalist […]
Russia’s Tough Guise
It’s a pretty firmly established meme that masculinity is a celebrated trait in Russian culture, one that has been capitalized upon by Vladimir Putin’s conspicuously frequent photo ops without clothing (even his new personal photographer is a hot model). After all, the country has turned into a welcoming graveyard for fallen 1980s action movie stars: […]
MN: The Russian authorities are learning how to control the Internet
The following is a translation of an article published by the Moscow News. A Case of Disconnect – The Russian authorities are learning how to control the Internet The Government is to study foreign methods of Internet governance The authorities are planning a fresh attack on the Internet. This became clear after the completion of […]
Net Freedom in Russia Under Pre-Election Pressure
Although serious investigative journalism in Russia is a dangerous, if not suicidal, profession, for the armchair internet pundit, the Runet is their oyster. Despite the occasional case of a jailed blogger or an arrested extremist, the Russian government’s policies toward online activities has long been an anomaly; a free, open, and uncensored departure from other trappings of authoritarianism.
The Berlusconi-zation of Vladimir Putin
There’s a strange thing that happens to some autocratic leaders after spending a decade or so in power … Things start getting pervy. The brutal Nigerian military dictator Sani Abachi had to leave office in a body bag when his heart finally expired under a mountain of Indian prostitutes. The Generalissimo Rafael Trujillo ruled the […]
Russia News Blast
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RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – February 24, 2022
Today in Russia: Invasion. Will the world respond?
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RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – February 23, 2022
Today in Russia/CIS: Ukraine calls up reservists; Levada Center Director Volkov on public opinion in Russia; Erdogan says Turkey won’t accept Russian moves in Ukraine; EU and US latest sanctions; Russia-Ukraine crisis as viewed Uzbekistan; Israel walks a tightrope on its Ukraine position
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RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – February 22, 2022
but which borders?;’ History professor (and President) Putin delivers fiery speech; Lavrov re-writes the rules of international sovereignty; UK and EU roll out initial sanctions, and Washington plans big moves; Nord Stream 2 finally meets its end after a slow, painful death; Zelensky’s speech; White House: On second thought, that’s an invasion; How will China respond?; Russia to evacuate all diplomatic staff from Ukraine
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