Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2015-#149 :: Monday 3 August 2015

Johnson’s Russia List :: JRL 2015-#149
3 August 2015
A project sponsored through the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES) at The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs
The contents do not necessarily represent the views of IERES or the George Washington University.
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RUSSIA

1. AFP: The changing face of Russia’s emblematic matryoshka dolls.
2. Levada.ru: Fewer Russians bothered by Western sanctions, international isolation – poll.
3. RFE/RL: Russian Poll Shows Strong Support For Internet Censorship.
4. The Economist: Religion in Russia: Russians feel less positive towards religion now than they did in 1990.
5. TASS: NATO increases number of exercises near Russia’s borders by half – Defense Ministry.
6. Moscow Times: Opposition Mayor of Russian City Refuses to Go Without a Fight. (re Petrozavodsk)
7. www.thedailybeast.com: Anna Nemtsova, Trying to Build Democracy in a Hellish Russian Village Called Paradise. The Russian opposition has gone to the hinterlands hold primaries and start a democratic process. It’s going to be a long struggle.
8. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Proposed extensions to Russian police powers spark controversy. A new bill proposing to extend policemen’s rights, including those concerning the use of weapons, has provoked major disagreements among Russian public figures and rights activists. While its authors believe that extending police authority is necessary for defending the rights of fellow policemen, critics worry that if the law is adopted it will legitimize police brutality and may be used to crack down
9. Interfax: Human rights activists fear Soros Foundation to leave Russia.
10. Sputnik: Russia Successful in Stabilizing Banking Sector – IMF.
11. Moscow Times: Russian Food Prices Stabilize After Months of Racing Inflation.
12. www.rt.com: Ruble extends losses, as weak oil & softening China disappoint.
13. Moscow Times: Haters and Beliebers: 8 Russian-Speaking YouTube Stars.
14. Russia Insider: Stuart Smith, Why Russia Should Abolish Visas for US, EU This Second. Red tape is keeping away tourists which could help Russia withstand Western sanctions better. Over time, more visitors would serve to improve the skewed perception of Russia abroad.
15. http://readrussia.com: Jim Kovpak, Why Russia Might Be Better for You Than It Is for Russians.
16. Moscow Times: Luc Jones, Tips for Russians Working Abroad.
17. The Observer (UK): Carol Rumens, The Penguin Book of Russian Poetry review – the importance of rhyme and reason. An ambitious anthology spanning 200 years is welcome – though some of the translators need to work on their rhyming.
18. Moscow Times: Sarah Lain, Russia Faces Facts on China.
19. Wall Street Journal: Georgia Dials Down Conflict With Russia. Shift comes as fighting in Ukraine draws the West and Moscow into a contest for spheres of influence.
20. Paul Goble: If Putin Remains in Power, Russia Will Become ‘North Korea 2.0,’ Gudkov Says.
21. Newsweek.com: Leon Aron, Five Questions Every Presidential Candidate Should Answer About Vladimir Putin.
22. www.unz.com: Israel Shamir, The Hunt for Red October. (re Sweden and submarines)
23. The Wilson Quarterly: Theodore Gerber and Jane Zavisca, WHAT 18 FOCUS GROUPS IN THE FORMER USSR TAUGHT US ABOUT AMERICA’S IMAGE PROBLEMS [excerpt]. After talking with dozens of people in Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan, two contradictory, prevailing themes emerge about the United States.

UKRAINE

24. Business New Europe: bne:Chart – More than 6 in 10 Ukrainians would like to leave the country, poll finds.
25. Kyiv Post: Violence erupts after rival Kharkiv rallies.
26. Financial Times: Fears grow as Ukraine rightwing militia puts Kiev in its sights. Leader of Right Sector battalion turns on Ukraine’s president.
27. Financial Times: Demoralised Ukraine troops start to lose faith in Kiev. Echoes broader ebbing of public support for political leaders.
28. Sputnik: ‘Moscow Must Burn!’ Right-Wing Extremists in Ukraine Mobilize.
29. Interfax: Committee for the Salvation of Ukraine believes there will be no peace in Ukraine with its current political administration.
30. TASS: Former Ukrainian lawmaker says Kiev pushed away Crimea and Donbas.
31. http://newcoldwar.org: Feature interview from Donetsk with Ukrainian pianist Valentina Lisitsa.
32. Fort Russ: Rinat Akhmetov’s humanitarian aid worker – “Read this letter and curse this war!”
33. www.rt.com: IMF approves new $1.7bn loan tranche to Kiev, plays down debt and security concerns.
34. Interfax-Ukraine: Support for joining NATO considerably increases in Ukraine -poll.
35. Antiwar.com Derek Royden, Our (Neocon) Man in Odessa. (Mikheil Saakashvili)
36. TASS: Experts say EU officials should rather see situation in Crimea with their own eyes.
37. www.rt.com: Dutch Safety Board asks for RT’s assistance in MH17 probe after documentary.
38. RFE/RL: U.S. Sanctions Official: Russia ‘Will Probe With A Bayonet.’ (Daniel Fried)
39. Interfax: U.S. should pressure Ukraine into fulfilling Minsk accords – French ambassador to Russia.
40. Paul Goble: Normalization of Relations with Moscow Impossible until Russian Occupation of Crimea Ends, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Says.
41. The Times (UK): Ukraine rebels ‘building dirty bomb’ with Russian scientists.
42. RIA Novosti: East Ukraine separatist spokesman denies reported plans to create “dirty bomb”
43. Antiwar.com: Justin Raimondo, Monsters of Ukraine: Made in the USA. Fascists proliferate as the country slides into a sinkhole.