Russia

February 9, 2012

Anti-Gay Bill Advances in St. Petersburg

On the same day that Vladimir Putin called for the Orthodox Church (who by the way believe his stint as Russia’s ruler to be nothing short of a miracle) to have a stronger presence on state-run television channels, St. Petersburg lawmakers h...
February 9, 2012

Zyuganov: Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Bride

Charles Clover of the Financial Times has a good piece on Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov’s role as Vladimir Putin’s insurance policy.  Is there any other leader that lost this many elections and continues to be the party’...
February 9, 2012

Today in Russian Business – Feb 9, 2012

Rostelecom says it has completed the installation of 15,000 web cameras in polling stations in preparation for next month’s presidential elections.  Moscow’s streets will be equipped with surveillance cameras this year, according to Mayor Sergei S...
February 9, 2012

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – Feb 9, 2012

TODAY: Lawmakers pass second reading of anti-gay propaganda bill; European Parliament calls for freeze on contact with Duma over fair elections; Posner protests censorship; Putin wants more TV time for religious topics; Putin blames Libyan situati...
February 8, 2012

Today in Russian Business – Feb 8, 2012

Indonesia will work together with Russian Railways on a $2.4 billion rail link in the East Kalimantan province, projected to be operative for transporting coal by 2017.  Polymetal has acquired the remaining 20% of AngloGold Ashanti for $20 million...
February 8, 2012

Today in Russian Business – Feb 8, 2012

Indonesia will work together with Russian Railways on a $2.4 billion rail link in the East Kalimantan province, projected to be operative for transporting coal by 2017.  Polymetal has acquired the remaining 20% of AngloGold Ashanti for $20 million...
February 8, 2012

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – Feb 8, 2012

TODAY: Zhirinovsky debates with Putin proxy; hacked Nashi emails supposedly show payments for online support; Putin appeals to blue collar voters; Lavrov given ‘royal welcome’ in Syria; Magnitsky could be tried posthumously; pro-Putin anthem seize...
February 8, 2012

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – Feb 8, 2012

TODAY: Zhirinovsky debates with Putin proxy; hacked Nashi emails supposedly show payments for online support; Putin appeals to blue collar voters; Lavrov given ‘royal welcome’ in Syria; Magnitsky could be tried posthumously; pro-Putin anthem seize...
February 7, 2012

QOTD

“I don’t quite understand what is meant by political amnesty. I don’t think we have any political prisoners, thank God.” – Vladimir Putin
February 7, 2012

Today in Russian Business – Feb 7, 2012

Major banks have concluded that Saturday’s protests indicate that unrest will escalate until Russians see political change: ‘Although many investors would like the March election to draw a line under the political uncertainty, we believe that the ...