Russia

August 23, 2010

Actvists Openly Criticize Putin at Rally

RFE/RL brings this report and video from Moscow’s weekend rallly and concert, organized by Khimki forest activists. Uncharacteristically, the event received permission from city officials. But the permission was revoked at the last minute. W...
August 23, 2010

RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – Aug 23, 2010

TODAY: Crowd gathers to listen to songs in Moscow Khimki protest, anti-Putin protest in Kaliningrad; Nemtsov detained for trying to march; forest head sacked; blogger under fire from United Russia for snubbing comment request; Moscow Metro bomber ...
August 20, 2010

Republicans Feel Cut Out of the Loop on START

Stephen Rademaker, a former Assistant Secretary of State under the Bush administration, has published a criticism of the Senate’s handling of the new START treaty with Russia in the Washington Post, which unlike the ping-pong match started b...
August 20, 2010

Viktor Bout’s Big Secret

It has long been a subject of wild speculation as to why the Russian government has lobbied to bring home the reputed arms dealer Viktor Bout, who is currently detained in Thailand and, according to a recent announcement, may in fact be extradited...
August 20, 2010

RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – Aug 20, 2010

TODAY: United Russia changes tack on election strategy; Medvedev visits Armenia, wants bombers ‘destroyed’; evidence on plane crash passed to Poland; only one wildfire state of emergency remains; City Hall prohibits Khimki concert; VTs...
August 19, 2010

RA’s Daily Russian News Blast – Aug 19, 2010

TODAY: Medvedev hosts Afghan, Pakistani and Tajik leaders and pledges support for Afghan peace efforts; Armenia extends Russia’s lease on its military base there over concerns about conflict with Azerbaijan; Lavrov defends sale of missiles t...
August 19, 2010

A Reset Top Ten List

Writing in Foreign Policy, James F. Collins and Matthew Rojansky give ten reasons why the US would benefit from improved relations with Russia: A year and a half after Barack Obama hit the “reset” button with Russia, the reconciliation...
August 19, 2010

KGB Playground

Newsweek has an interesting article today about the KGB’s long tradition of working (and playing) in Abkhazia and how this legacy has been passed on to the FSB and carried over to the present day. Here’s an excerpt: The Russian special...
August 18, 2010

Moscow Mayor Back on Holiday

Rudely interrupted from his vacation when wildfire smoke made Moscow air a health hazard, Mayor Yury Luzhkov is back on holiday again. Political opponents and some Muscovites criticized Luzhkov for responding too late to the emergency situation. P...