Russia

January 20, 2014

“Dmitry Did It!”

Alexei Bayer attempts to tell the fortunes of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, voicing his surprise at the former puppet President’s longevity in the government.  Bayer attempts to figure out which aspects of Medvedev’s potential useful...
January 20, 2014

Homophobia & Intimacy

Russia’s gay rights question has been the most prominent topic in the press this weekend.  In this piece, a BBC reporter offers some insights into the contradictions of Russia’s widespread and popular homophobia, and the intimate exper...
January 17, 2014

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – Jan 17, 2014

TODAY: U.S. lawmakers to expand Magnitsky Act worldwide; Kremlin’s rights council wants activists to be limited; Putin promises no ideology, no discrimination; Kozak denies misuse of Sochi funds; no prison for mayor who murdered journalist; Bolotn...
January 16, 2014

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – Jan 16, 2014

TODAY: Central banker cries ‘stagflation’; Foreign Ministry slams EU society and economy; OECD slams Russian business climate; proposed law would allow police to search without warrant; Rosneft losing Yukos cases; Navalny asset seizure was lawful,...
January 16, 2014

Theories of Khodorkovsky’s Release

I don’t endorse any particular theory here, but it’s an interesting take.  A translation of Andrei Illarionov’s theories behind the release of Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Original source: Rufabula.com. Russian President Vladimir Putin ...
January 15, 2014

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – Jan 15, 2014

TODAY: Kudrin warns on financing Ukraine; loan to Hungary will fund nuclear plants; critics attack Aksana Panova ban; U.S. journalist’s Russia ban is payback, sources say; Politkovskaya trial resumes with new jury; Pussy Riot visit their former ja...
January 14, 2014

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – Jan 14, 2014

TODAY: Kerry and Lavrov meet in Paris to discuss Syria; prominent U.S. journalist banned from Moscow; state purchases unregulated; new restrictions for Navalny? ‘New’ Magnitsky investigation opened; Kalashnikov regrets revealed; Nobel laureates ap...
January 13, 2014

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – Jan 13, 2014

TODAY: Poll names Putin as most admired; Khodorkovsky case troubling university; LUKoil faces hefty spill fine; Iran and Russia on verge of trade deal; Sochi protest zone location announced as police continue terror sweep; gay rights, Pussy Riot, ...
January 10, 2014

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – Jan 10, 2014

TODAY: Terror attempt thwarted in Stavropol; F.B.I. sending personnel to Sochi for Games; European Court orders Chechnya payout; Ukraine signs price reduction with Gazprom; Mokhnatkin charged; Pussy Riot attend trial broadcast; bank loses license....
January 9, 2014

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – Jan 9, 2014

TODAY: Carry-on liquids banned from flights across the country; actor slurs gay community again; Patriarch Kirill cheers inmates, Church attacked over Stalin calendar; officials accused of poaching; Russia blocks U.N.’s Syria statement; Vanity Fai...