Russia's Devastating Downturn
Region: Russian Federation
Posted by Veronica Khokhlova In mid-October, Global Voices published a roundup of Anglophone bloggers' views on the financial crisis in Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Serbia and Ukraine. Below is another installment on the effects and the likely consequences of the crisis in Russia. Edward Hugh of Eastern Europe Economy Watch examines the figures and concludes that “Russia's macro data starts to confirm t... more
Views: 2066Moscow Open 2008 - British Parliamentary debating championship in Moscow
Region: Russian Federation
Do you think it's that easy to debate on a topic like "This house would limit the sovereignty of the states that fail to address piracy"? Well, no. It's not. Especially when you're not a native-speaker. Moscow Open 2008 took place in MGIMO. It was the biggest debating championship ever held in Russia - 48 teams (2 persons in each) from 6 countries, including Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Belarus. A lot of emotions and amazi... more
Views: 1420Russia, the New Land of Opportunity
Region: Russian FederationThe first time I heard about Russia improving its economy step by step was when Putin the Great took over the Kremlin years ago. The judo black belt master put into good use his management skills in leading Russia to economic progress. Although it took Russia some time to put the house in order, Putin slowly but surely led his country to where it is now, an economically improved Russia. The new Russia has emer... more
Views: 1484Let's Avoid a Second Crimean War
Region: Russian Federation
Historians will look back at the Bush Administration and recognize the resurgence of The Russian Federation as the major geopolitical shift that took place on its watch. 9/11 and the War on Terror will look like side-shows through the lens of the future. When George W. Bush took office in 2000, The Russian Federation was emerging from bankruptcy. By the late summer of 2008, Russia is the world’s... more
Views: 1502Soviet Union Wins the 2008 Beijing Olympics
Region: Russian Federation
According to Vladimir Putin, "the collapse of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical tragedy of the twentieth century." Looking at the medal tallies from Beijing, the man should have added sports debacle. Had the Soviet Union been intact this year, it would have won the medal count hands down. ... more
Views: 1733Russia Seeks Allies
Region: Russian Federation
Few rumors from Russian internal sources showed up more often than one that said that Russia is seeking for allies to strengthen their military assets after United States signed and agreement with Poland for the missile shield. A few weeks ago, after the signing, Russia stated that they might strike Poland with nuclear weapon. This caused tension in the countries around the Baltic sea. Before, a Russian daily... more
Views: 2906Détente
Region: Russian FederationThe recent incident in Georgia where it was nearly occupied by the marauding Russian army had sent chilling effect to the other former Soviet Republics that the old Russia is back. The former “Evil Empire” ultimately relayed a message to the world that they mean business and they are ready to protect their interests within its borders. For Medvedev and Putin, Russia is intolerable to the West’s clos... more
Views: 1324Moral Battle Lines Drawn in South Ossetian War
Region: Russian Federation
Russia tries to claim moral high ground as both sides allege war crimes. By Thomas de Waal in London Following the agreement of a fragile ceasefire, Moscow and Tbilisi are now engaged in an angry quarrel over alleged human rights abuses, with the Russians making this their central argument justifying an assault on Georgian territory. The Russians are also accusing the West of “double standards” in its ... more
Views: 1280South Ossetian War - What's Next?
Region: Russian Federation
Posted by Veronica Khokhlova to Global Voices Online Russian president Dmitry Medvedev announced the end of the so-called “peace enforcement” operation yesterday. LJ user varfolomeev66 - Radio Echo of Moscow journalist Vladimir Varfolomeev - asked this question on his blog: “What's next?” He wrote (RUS): I'm not referring to Georgia now. The Russian government has used every serious crisis... more
Views: 1788Russia Orders End to Fighting, But Hostilities Continue in Georgia
Region: Russian Federation
Posted by Josh Katz to findingDulcinea Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called for an end to fighting in the five-day mini-war that has has racked Georgia. Although Russia has declared an end to the fighting, Georgia claims that its villages are still under attack. According to The Guardian, “There were also separate reports today of witnesses seeing 135 military vehicles driving through Georgia towards t... more
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