Month: June 2017

RUSSIA & UKRAINE – Johnson’s Russia List table of contents :: JRL 2017-116 :: Wednesday, 21 June 2017

JRL Tables of Contents, Russian News, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
St. Basil's Domes

To inquire about a subscription to the full Johnson’s Russia List e-mail newsletter, e-mail David Johnson at davidjohnson@starpower.net [check back for updates, including more links; links also posted to facebook and twitter] Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2017-#116 Wednesday, 21 June 2017 A project sponsored through the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George Washington University’s Elliott School […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , ,

NEWSLINK: “The Trump Administration Has A New Plan For Dealing With Russia. A classified document by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson lays out a new path for Russia and the US. But does the president, weighed down by scandal and investigation, support it?” – Buzzfeed/ John Hudson

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Rex Tillerson file photo, adapted from image at state.gov

“… The former Texas oilman, who worked extensively with Kremlin officials as CEO of Exxon Mobil, has crafted a three-point framework for future US-Russia relations that takes a narrow view of what can be achieved between the former Cold War adversaries, but seeks a constructive working relationship with Putin on a limited set of issues. …”

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , ,

Are Russia And The Saudis Planning A Natural Gas Cartel?

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Middle East, North Africa, Oil, Gas, Energy, Saudi Arabia
Gas Flame file photo

(Oilprice.com – Cyril Widdershoven – June 18, 2017) The fledgling production cut strategy of OPEC (Saudi Arabia) and non-OPEC (Russia and the FSU) shows that a new strategy is needed to counter the ongoing doubts in the markets. At the same time, Russia and Saudi continue to give indications of a possible OPEC 2.0 scenario, in which a possible Russian […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , ,

Russian youths are taking to the streets, but let’s not over-hype the revolt of the “Putin generation” just yet; If we’re going to understand how young people in Russia are becoming more political, we need to ask the right questions before applying our own labels.

Children, Adoptions, Orphans, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Map of Russia and Russian Flag adapted from images at state.gov

(opendemocracy.net – Tom Junes – June 20, 2017) [Text with links opendemocracy.net/od-russia/tom-junes/russian-youths-are-taking-to-streets-but-lets-not-over-hype-revolt-of-putin-gene] Tom Junes is a historian and post-doctoral researcher focusing on protest movements in eastern Europe. He is a member of the Human and Social Studies Foundation Sofia and currently a visiting fellow at European University Institute in Florence, Italy. He is the author of Student Politics in Communist […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , ,

RUSSIA & UKRAINE – Johnson’s Russia List table of contents :: JRL 2017-115 :: Tuesday, 20 June 2017

JRL Tables of Contents, Russian News, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
St. Basil's Domes

To inquire about a subscription to the full Johnson’s Russia List e-mail newsletter, e-mail David Johnson at davidjohnson@starpower.net [check back for updates, including more links; links also posted to facebook and twitter] Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2017-#115 Tuesday, 20 June 2017 A project sponsored through the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George Washington University’s Elliott School […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , ,

NEWSLINK: “How Do America and Russia Avoid a War over Syria? The United States needs to think soberly about its next steps-and not stumble into a clash with Russia that it neither foresees nor desires.” – The National Interest/ Nikolas Gvosdev

Middle East, North Africa, Newslinks, Syria, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Syria Map

“That it has taken so long since the Russian intervention in Syria began in earnest, a year and a half ago, for an incident to occur that might directly pit Russian and American forces against each other has been nothing short of miraculous. That luck ran out this week, with the downing of a Syrian government warplane accused of carrying […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , ,

TRANSCRIPT: [Putin at] Meeting on economic issues

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Population Disaster, Demographics
Kremlin and River

(Kremlin.ru – June 19, 2017) Vladimir Putin held a meeting on economic issues at the Kremlin. Various aspects of national demographic policy were the main items on the agenda. President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues, Today, we will have a comprehensive discussion of demographic policy. As you know, for the subject came up during the Direct Line too, […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , ,

VIDEOS & LINKS: Watch All Four Parts of Oliver Stone’s “The Putin Interviews” [on/from] Vimeo

Cybersecurity, Foreign Policy, Security, Visas, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Spies, Spy Allegations, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
File Photo of Screenshot of Vladimir Putin in Twitter Video of Trailer of Oliver Stone TV Film Regarding Russia

VIDEOS & LINKS: Watch all four parts of Oliver Stone’s “The Putin Interviews” on Vimeo [links and embedded video below] Transcript: skyhorsepublishing.com/titles/13188-9781510733428-putin-interviews Showtime series site: sho.com/the-putin-interviews#/closed Part One https://vimeo.com/222012543 THE PUTIN INTERVIEWS / OLIVER STONE PART ONE from patrice greanville on Vimeo. Part Two https://vimeo.com/221567261 The Putin Interviews | Part 2 | Oliver Stone & Vladimir Putin from vbulahtin on […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cold War Deja Vu Deepens as New Russia Sanctions Anger Europe

Cuba, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Sanctions, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
American Flag and Partial View of U.S. Capitol Dome, adapted from image at aoc.gov

(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Marc Champion – June 18, 2017) Russia on Sunday accused the U.S. of returning to “almost forgotten Cold War rhetoric,” after President Donald Trump’s decision to reinstate some sanctions on Cuba. It could have dropped “forgotten.” There’s been a lively debate among historians and diplomats for years over whether the souring of relations between the U.S. […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , ,

Putin chooses systemic solutions to questions highlighted at Q&A session – Peskov

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Dmitry Peskov file photo adapted from image at kremlin.ru/wikimedia commons

MOSCOW. June 16 (Interfax) – The issues highlighted at the Q&A session with Russian President Vladimir Putin are later discussed at meetings with heads of the presidential administration and government members; they are not handled manually, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said. “As a rule, questions asked at the Q&A session are processed one way or another at such meetings […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , ,

RUSSIA & UKRAINE – Johnson’s Russia List table of contents :: JRL 2017-114 :: Monday, 19 June 2017

JRL Tables of Contents, Russian News, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
St. Basil's Domes

To inquire about a subscription to the full Johnson’s Russia List e-mail newsletter, e-mail David Johnson at davidjohnson@starpower.net [check back for updates, including more links; links also posted to facebook and twitter] Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2017-#114 Monday, 19 June 2017 A project sponsored through the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George Washington University’s Elliott School […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , ,

NEWSLINK: “In Final Oliver Stone Interview, Putin Predicts When Russia-US Crisis Ends” – Forbes/ Kenneth Rapoza

United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
File Photo of Screenshot of Vladimir Putin in Twitter Video of Trailer of Oliver Stone TV Film Regarding Russia

“… Stone takes Putin to task at times, saying he looks like a “fox in a hen house” when he imagines out loud that there might already be a secret battle between the U.S. and Russia in cyberspace. “I believe cyber warfare can lead to a hot war,” says Stone. Is Russia doing something about it? Come on, Mr. President, lay […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , ,

NEWSLINK: “Putin the Balancer: Containing and Balancing Russia’s Multifarious Forces through Soft Authoritarianism” – Russian and Eurasian Politics/ Gordon M. Hahn

Newslinks, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Tower and Building Inside Kremlin

“… This suggests that to some extent, not just its policies but the regime itself may be malleable to change depending on the tenor or face (as well as potential threat) it presents to representatives of the ‘sistema’. Remember most observers assume Putin was really the man in charge during Medvedev’s thaw. Liberals, in particular the rather rabid liberal intelligentsia, […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , ,

NEWSWATCH: “Russia has not touched its reserves funds this year, but it will. Russia’s gross international reserves have been growing.” – Intellinews/ Ben Aris

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, JRL NewsBlog
Diverse Paper Currency, Coins, Line Graph

“Thanks to higher than expected oil prices Russia has not had to touch its rainy day reserves funds so far this year to prop up budget spending. But the ministry of finance says it will have to dip into them in the second half of this year and expects to at least exhaust the $16.5bn National Reserve Fund. …” Click […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , ,

NEWSWATCH: “Volodin vs. Kiriyenko: The Battle for Influence in Russia’s Power Vertical” – Carnegie Moscow/ Andrey Pertsev

JRL NewsBlog, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Russian State Duma Building file photo

“… #Putin’s power vertical has always been an extremely simple construct: the presidential administration deals with everything—all party, parliamentary, and personnel issues—no questions asked. Because a second source of authority would undermine its top-down system, the Kremlin works hard to suppress attempts to create alternate centers of power. … however, a power struggle has emerged between #Duma Speaker Vyacheslav #Volodin, the […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , ,

NEWSLINK: “Russia enjoys third year of natural population growth” – bne Intellinews

Newslinks, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Population Disaster, Demographics
File Photo of Screenshot of Vladimir Putin in Twitter Video of Trailer of Oliver Stone TV Film Regarding Russia

“… According to Russian state statisticians, as of January 1, 2017, the population of Russia is almost 144.5mn excluding Crimea, whose annexation in 2014 is largely unrecognised by the international community. … In the 2010 census, ethnic Russians were found to make up 81% of the total population. In total, 160 different ethnic groups live within the Russian Federation’s borders. […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , ,

NEWSLINK: “The Special Seinfeld? An investigation about nothing could become something worse” – Wall Street Journal/ James Freeman

Cybersecurity, Newslinks, Spies, Spy Allegations, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
File Photo of White House with South Lawn and Fountain

“‘After 7 months of investigations & committee hearings about my “collusion with the Russians,” nobody has been able to show any proof. Sad!,’ tweeted … Trump …. his argument is stronger than he suggests, because … Comey’s FBI began looking for evidence of collusion nearly a full year ago. It still hasn’t appeared, which means that Department of Justice Special Counsel […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEWSWATCH: “Taking the Edge off U.S.-Russia Strategic Relations” – Russia Matters/ Steven Pifer

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, JRL NewsBlog, Media, Internet, Social Media, Television, Newslinks, Nuclear, Missile Defense, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Rex Tillerson file photo, adapted from image at readyagain.gov

“Secretary of State Tillerson and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov have agreed in principle to resume strategic stability talks. The United States and Russia should begin the talks expeditiously, and the first agenda items they should tackle include measures to reduce the risk of accident or miscalculation, preservation of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, and extension of the 2010 […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , ,

TRANSCRIPT & VIDEO: Direct Line with Vladimir Putin

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Vladimir Putin file photo with VOA logo; screen shot from video still

(Kremlin.ru – June 15, 2017) [Complete video in Russian also at kremlin.ru/events/president/news/54790] The annual special Direct Line with Vladimir Putin was broadcast live by Channel One, Rossiya 1, Rossiya 24 and Russia Today TV channels, and Mayak, Vesti FM and Radio Rossii radio stations. Tatyana Remezova: Good afternoon, we are live. This is Direct Line with Vladimir Putin, a joint […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , ,

RUSSIA & UKRAINE – Johnson’s Russia List table of contents :: JRL 2017-113 :: Friday, 16 June 2017

JRL Tables of Contents, Russian News, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
St. Basil's Domes

To inquire about a subscription to the full Johnson’s Russia List e-mail newsletter, e-mail David Johnson at davidjohnson@starpower.net [check back for updates, including more links; links also posted to facebook and twitter] Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2017-#113 Friday, 16 June 2017 A project sponsored through the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George Washington University’s Elliott School […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , ,

TRANSCRIPT: [Putin] Answers to journalists’ questions following Direct Line

Foreign Policy, Security, Visas, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Map of Russia and Russian Flag adapted from images at state.gov

(Kremlin.ru – June 15, 2017) Vladimir Putin answered media questions after Direct Line. President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Let us start with our Chinese friends. Question: This past May the heads of state and government of thirty countries adopted a joint communiqué at the first Belt and Road International Economic Forum, which includes a commitment to step up cooperation. Mr […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , ,

VIDEOS & ARTICLE: After Moscow Protest Crackdown, Kremlin Critics Question Navalny’s Tactics

Human Rights, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Alexei Navalny file photo

(©2017 RFE/RL, Inc. Article from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – rferl.org – Carl Schreck – June 13, 2017 – also appeared at rferl.org/a/navalny-moscow-protest-crackdown-critics-tactics/28546806.html) Russia’s liberal opposition has long been plagued by infighting. And fresh fissures have emerged over chief Kremlin foe Aleksei Navalny’s decision to move an anticorruption protest in Moscow to the city center, where hundreds were detained by police […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , ,

RUSSIA & UKRAINE – Johnson’s Russia List table of contents :: JRL 2017-112 :: Wednesday, 14 June 2017

JRL Tables of Contents, Russian News, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
St. Basil's Domes

To inquire about a subscription to the full Johnson’s Russia List e-mail newsletter, e-mail David Johnson at davidjohnson@starpower.net [check back for updates, including more links; links also posted to facebook and twitter] Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2017-#112 Wednesday, 14 June 2017 A project sponsored through the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George Washington University’s Elliott School […]

» Read more
Leave a comment

RUSSIALINK RIA Novosti: “No US greetings on Russia Day ‘for first time’ – embassy”

United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
File Photo of Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., Adapted From Image at loc.gov

(RIA Novosti – June 13, 2017) The Russian embassy in Washington has “for the first time in many years” not received any official greetings from the United States on the occasion of Russia Day on 12 June, RIA Novosti news agency has said. “We can confirm that we have not received any Russia Day greetings from the US side. This […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , ,

Zhirinovsky compares unauthorized rallies to ‘Russian tradition of fist-fighting’

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Vladimir Zhirinovsky file photo

MOSCOW. June 14 (Interfax) – Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, has compared young people’s participation in protest rallies to reflexes from the forgotten Russian tradition of fist-fighting. “The unauthorized protest rallies held in central Moscow and specific situations of unrest and resistance of police are residual reflexes of our young people from the forgotten Russian tradition of […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , ,

Court turns down motion on mitigating Oleg Navalny’s prison sentence

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Map of Russia and Russian Flag adapted from images at state.gov

VORONEZH. June 14 (Interfax) – The Uritsky District Court in the Oryol region has turned down a request on mitigating the punishment of Oleg Navalny, the brother of prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is serving his time at a local penitentiary, the court press service told Interfax. “The court today heard a request by Oleg Navalny’s lawyer on replacing […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , ,

JOB OPPORTUNITY: [Bilingual Journalist/ Researcher/ Reporting Assistant Position in Moscow with Washington Post] – Michael Birnbaum/ Washington Post/ facebook

Media, Internet, Social Media, Television, Opportunities, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
File Photo of Kremlin Aerial View, adapted from .gov source

The Washington Post‘s Michael Birnbaum has posted on facebook about a new opportunity in Moscow with the Washington Post: “… The Washington Post is looking for a highly motivated, resourceful and fast-thinking early-career journalist to fill a position in Moscow as a researcher and reporting assistant. … research, administrative work, and independent reporting and writing. … a passion for news, an obsession […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , ,

VIDEOS & ARTICLE: Russian Cyber Hacks on U.S. Electoral System Far Wider Than Previously Known

Cybersecurity, Media, Internet, Social Media, Television, Science, Technology, Engineering, Spies, Spy Allegations, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
File Image of Stylized Eye Surrounded by Binary Code

(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Michael Riley, Jordan Robertson – June 13, 2017) [See video “How to See If Russia Meddled With Your Vote”: bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-06-13/russian-breach-of-39-states-threatens-future-u-s-elections] Russia’s cyberattack on the U.S. electoral system before Donald Trump’s election was far more widespread than has been publicly revealed, including incursions into voter databases and software systems in almost twice as many states as previously […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Russian Protests Don’t Threaten Kremlin Because There’s No Opposition in the Duma, Portnikov Says

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Russian State Duma Building file photo

(Paul Goble – Window on Eurasia – Staunton, June 12, 2017) Both the Kremlin and the Russian people are afraid of a Maidan, but they needn’t be because for a Maidan to take place in Russia there would have to be something that does not now exist, a genuine opposition in the Duma ready and willing to serve as a […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Punishing Putin Mostly Means Punishing His Foes; Washington wants more sanctions. But they would further strangle a pro-democracy movement on life support.

Human Rights, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Sanctions, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Kremlin and River

(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Leonid Bershidsky – June 12, 2017) Leonid Bershidsky is a Bloomberg View columnist. He was the founding editor of the Russian business daily Vedomosti and founded the opinion website Slon.ru. After being surprised by broad-based protests in late March, the Russian authorities were ready to prevent a repeat on Monday. Police detained hundreds across the country […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

TRANSCRIPT: [Putin at] Russia Day reception

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Kremlin Aerial View, adapted from .gov source

(Kremlin.ru – June 12, 2017) Following the National Awards ceremony, a reception was held on the Kremlin’s Ivanovskaya Square for the national holiday, Russia Day. Speech by President of Russia Vladimir Putin during a reception for the national holiday, Russia Day. President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Dear friends, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to congratulate you on Russia […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , ,

RUSSIA & UKRAINE – Johnson’s Russia List table of contents :: JRL 2017-111 :: Tuesday, 13 June 2017

JRL Tables of Contents, Russian News, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
St. Basil's Domes

To inquire about a subscription to the full Johnson’s Russia List e-mail newsletter, e-mail David Johnson at davidjohnson@starpower.net [check back for updates, including more links; links also posted to facebook and twitter] Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2017-#111 Tuesday, 13 June 2017 A project sponsored through the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George Washington University’s Elliott School […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , ,

NEWSWATCH: “The Wars of the Future: Russian Defense Ministry’s New Modernization Plan; Upcoming re-armament program will offer clues on how Russia sees the future of war” – Moscow Times/ Michael Kofman

Budget, JRL NewsBlog, Military
Russian Mobile ICBM Parade File Photo

“… Delayed for two years owing to economic and budgetary volatility, the next phase of the State Armament Program (GPV), covering 2018-2025, is due to be finalized and signed by September. … [to] determine not just what Russian armed forces get next year, but the weapons and systems they will fight with into the 2030s. * * * … the […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , ,

Putin Calls U.S. Senator McCain ‘Old World’ But Admires His Patriotism

United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
U.S. Capitol in Bright Sunlight

(©2017 RFE/RL, Inc. Article from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – rferl.org – June 9, 2017 – also appeared at rferl.org/a/putin-calls-us-senator-mccain-old-world-but-admires-his-patriotism/28537171.html) Russian President Vladimir Putin in an interview excerpt released on June 8 said his longtime critic U.S. Senator John McCain is living in the “Old World” but he admires the former Republican presidential candidate’s patriotism. McCain, 80, last week called Putin […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , ,

Putin Hopes to Get Majority of Largely Conformist First-Time Voters, Moscow Analysts Say

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Arm and Torso of Person in Brown Sweater Placing Paper Ballot into Ballot Box

(Paul Goble – Window on Eurasia – Staunton, June 8, 2017) The Kremlin plans to make youth policy a centerpiece of Vladimir Putin’s campaign, Vedomosti says today, a reflection experts suggest of its belief that young people see no alternative to Putin but might not take part unless appealed to and its concern that older cohorts may be less inclined […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , ,

RUSSIA & UKRAINE – Johnson’s Russia List table of contents :: JRL 2017-110 :: Friday, 9 June 2017

JRL Tables of Contents, Russian News, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
St. Basil's Domes

To inquire about a subscription to the full Johnson’s Russia List e-mail newsletter, e-mail David Johnson at davidjohnson@starpower.net [check back for updates, including more links; links also posted to facebook and twitter] Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2017-#110 Friday, 9 June 2017 A project sponsored through the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George Washington University’s Elliott School […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , ,

RUSSIALINK RIA Novosti: Kremlin dismisses report on young people as top election theme

Children, Adoptions, Orphans, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Dmitry Peskov file photo adapted from image at kremlin.ru/wikimedia commons

(RIA Novosti – June 8, 2017) Moscow, 8 June: Issues concerning young people always become one of the main themes in an election campaign, but to say that this theme will be the only priority is primitive oversimplification, the press secretary of the head of state, Dmitry Peskov, said. Citing sources, the Vedomosti newspaper reported earlier (bit.ly/2rQGutl) that one of […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , ,

RUSSIALINK Amazon: “The Putin Interviews Paperback – June 16, 2017 by Oliver Stone (Author), Robert Scheer (Foreword)”

Newslinks, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
File Photo of Screenshot of Vladimir Putin in Twitter Video of Trailer of Oliver Stone TV Film Regarding Russia

“WITH SUBSTANTIAL MATERIAL NOT INCLUDED IN THE DOCUMENTARY Academy Award winner Oliver Stone was able to secure what journalists, news organizations, and even other world leaders have long coveted: extended, unprecedented access to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Putin Interviews are culled from more than a dozen interviews with Putin over a two-year span–never before has the Russian leader spoken […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , ,

Not ‘Constrained by Communism’ – Why Putin is a Greater Threat than Brezhnev Ever Was

History, Soviet Union, Human Rights, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
File Photo of Kremlin Tower, St. Basil's, Red Square at Night

(Paul Goble – Window on Eurasia – Staunton, June 3, 2017) Some years ago, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, who later became president of Estonia, suggested that “if the Russians were to come back to Estonia again, they would not be constrained by communism.” That is, they would pursue an even more repressive Russian nationalist agenda there than had the Soviet Union […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , ,

Russia Just Past Crisis, But Already Up Against Growth Limit

Economy, Business, Investment, Trade
Diverse Paper Currency, Coins, Line Graph

(Bloomberg – bloomberg.com – Olga Tanas – June 5 2017) The debate two years ago at President Vladimir Putin’s annual investment showcase in St. Petersburg centered on the direction Russia would take as it moved past the turbulence of oil’s collapse. This time the consensus is that the economy is running aground. Halfway through what’s likely to be the first […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , ,

Moscow’s English-Language Weekly To Change Hands, Cut Staff

Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Moscow Times Sample Covers and Mobile Device Display

(©2017 RFE/RL, Inc. – rferl.org – Tom Balmforth – MOSCOW, June 7, 2017 – article from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, also appeared at rferl.org/a/moscow-times-sold-cut-staff/28533926.html) A Dutch-registered foundation is reportedly poised to acquire the English-language Moscow Times in a shake-up that is expected to include major staff cuts and a discontinuation of the print version after a quarter-century in the Russian […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , ,

Fort Ross Dialogue conference in Russia

United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Stylized Russian and U.S. Flags, 200, 1807-2007

Subject: Fort Ross Dialogue conference in Russia Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2017 From: Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Russia Direct publisher russia-direct@rg.ru Dear Russia Direct readers, As you most likely already know, the Russia Direct website, ceased updating as of March 2017. However, the project’s publisher, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, continues to support initiatives promoting understanding between Russia and the United States. One such event […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , ,

Putin Needs an Intelligentsia that Complains but Knows Its Place, Shevtsova Says

Life in Russia, Culture, Arts, Media, Internet, Social Media, Television, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Kremlin and River

(Paul Goble – Window on Eurasia – Staunton, June 7, 2015) Vladimir Putin needs a constantly complaining but one that knows what not to criticize – his person and immediate entourage – and how not to act – by taking part in demonstrations or in politics – so that Russia will appear to be a civilized country and popular anger […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , , ,

RUSSIA & UKRAINE – Johnson’s Russia List table of contents :: JRL 2017-109 :: Thursday, 8 June 2017

JRL Tables of Contents, Russian News, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
St. Basil's Domes

To inquire about a subscription to the full Johnson’s Russia List e-mail newsletter, e-mail David Johnson at davidjohnson@starpower.net [check back for updates, including more links; links also posted to facebook and twitter] Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2017-#109 Thursday, 8 June 2017 A project sponsored through the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George Washington University’s Elliott School […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , ,

RUSSIA & UKRAINE – Johnson’s Russia List table of contents :: JRL 2017-108 :: Wednesday, 7 June 2017

JRL Tables of Contents, Russian News, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
St. Basil's Domes

To inquire about a subscription to the full Johnson’s Russia List e-mail newsletter, e-mail David Johnson at davidjohnson@starpower.net [check back for updates, including more links; links also posted to facebook and twitter] Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2017-#108 Wednesday, 7 June 2017 A project sponsored through the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George Washington University’s Elliott School […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , ,

Aggrieved party in Nemtsov murder case sees crime as not solved – lawyer

Assassinations, Beatings, Threats, Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Human Rights, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Boris Nemtsov file photo

MOSCOW. June 6 (Interfax) – The aggrieved party in the case dealing with the murder of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov sees the crime as not solved, as the investigation has not identified those who ordered and organized it, even though there is every opportunity for this, a lawyer said. “Those who ordered and who organized the crime must be identified […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , ,

Putin’s ‘Magic’ has Disappeared Like Cinderella’s Coach, Golts Says

Media, Internet, Social Media, Television, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
File Photo of Screenshot of Vladimir Putin in Twitter Video of Trailer of Oliver Stone TV Film Regarding Russia

(Paul Goble – Window on Eurasia – Staunton, June 6, 2017) Like Cinderella’s coach at the stroke of midnight, Vladimir Putin’s “magic,” his “negative charm, no longer works” as it did in the past, Aleksandr Golts says. Instead, as the recent St. Petersburg Export Forum showed, it has disappeared or more precisely turned into something else entirely (ej.ru/?a=note&id=31172). For most […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , ,

Russian prosecutor general suggests giving Justice Ministry right to conduct extraordinary inspections of NGOs that breach legislation

Corruption, Law, Police, Courts, Crime, Nonprofits, Activists, NGO's, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Yury Chaika file photo

MOSCOW. June 7 (Interfax) – Russian Prosecutor General Yury Chaika has suggested giving the Justice Ministry the right to conduct extraordinary inspections of NGOs. “We suggest giving the Justice Ministry the right to conduct extraordinary inspections of NGOs if there is information that they are in breach of any bans and restrictions envisaged by the law,” Chaika told a parliamentary […]

» Read more
Leave a comment , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Russian Hacking Allegations Could Get Putin Reelected; Allegations of Russian hacking are still murky, but distraction in Washington is still a net gain for Russia

Cybersecurity, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Spies, Spy Allegations, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
File Photo of Screenshot of Vladimir Putin in Twitter Video of Trailer of Oliver Stone TV Film Regarding Russia

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Vladimir Frolov – June 6, 2017) Vladimir Putin danced circles around U.S. television host Megyn Kelly on June 5, deflecting her questions on Russia’s meddling in U.S. presidential election. But he did not deny it. Before he sat down with Kelly, Putin told international news agencies that Russia never hacks on a state level. It […]

» Read more
Leave a comment
1 2 3