Stories about Russia from January, 2009
Russia: New Journal on Siberia
Window on Eurasia writes about a new journal intended to promote an “expanded understanding” of Siberia.
Russia: Pro-Government Rallies
Window on Eurasia writes about “Moscow’s plan to organize pro-government demonstrations.”
Russia, U.S.: Igor Panarin
The Ivanov Report writes about Igor Panarin, “the second most hated Russian in the United States.”
Russia: iPhone Apps
Siberian Light reviews “the best Russian iPhone apps.”
Russia: More on Markelov and Baburova
More on the killings of Markelov and Baburova – at Sean's Russia Blog.
Russia: “Mourning Markelov”
Robert Amsterdam writes: “Russia was a safer place when Markelov was still alive, because at the very least, his advocacy was ultimately emblematic of moral outrage – seemingly our last defense.”
Russia: “Creeping Police State or Looming Anarchy”
RFE/RL's The Power Vertical writes that “[r]ecent commentary on Russia has tacked back-and-forth between these two apparently contradictory narratives — the creeping police state vs. looming anarchy.”
Russia: Anastasia Baburova's Blog
Excerpts from the blog of Anastasia Baburova, a 25-year-old journalist killed in Moscow last week, translated from Russian – at OpenDemocracy.net.
Russia: “Should People of Color Go to Russia?”
Moscow Through Brown Eyes wouldn't advise “a young person of color” to come to Russia for long-term study: “The world is large and there are many options. You shouldn't have to fear for your life every day.”
Russia, Ukraine: “Far From Over”
Streetwise Professor writes: “In short, the Gas War is just the surface of things. Under the surface one finds the true dynamic–Russian imperial ambition resisted by a nation struggling to realize an independence long denied, but doing so under a confused, divided, and corrupt leadership.”
Czech Republic: News and Culture Roundup
A few updates from CzechFolks.com: Josef Lada‘s drawings; Karel Capek‘s life and writings; Vaclav Havel‘s health problems; the launch of a new Czech TV station; the 20th anniversary of Czech and Slovak ATMs; the gas dispute and the former Eastern Bloc countries’ dependency on Russia.
Ukraine: Rusyn Separatism
Lands Far Away… writes about “the threat of Rusyn separatism in Ukraine.”
Russia: LJ and “the Western Powers”
IZO writes that “the importance of the Russian LiveJournal blogosphere is leading the Western Powers to suck up to the leading bloggers and infiltrate the discussion sites.”
EU, Russia, Ukraine: “Everyone A Loser”
Michael Berendt of Blogactiv.eu writes that “[a]ll those directly affected [by the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute] were the biggest losers of all,” but that “[o]n the other hand the long-term case for a proactive EU energy policy has received a major boost.”
Ukraine, Russia, EU: Gas Politics
Antal Dániel of Central Europe Activ believes that Ukraine is “one of the most corrupted countries, a quasi-bankrupt and quasi-failed state” and quotes Gazprom's deputy chairman to emphasize that “the EU must find out what it want to do with Ukraine.” Hugo Lane of Lands Far Away… argues in the...
Georgia: Uneasy Reading
This is Tbilisi Calling comments on a new report released by Human Rights Watch detailing war crimes committed during the August war between Georgia and Russia. The blog says that the report is uneasy reading, but essential nonetheless. Meanwhile, while both sides violated international humanitarian law, The Tbilisi Blues says...
Russia, Ukraine: Gas Deal and Gazprom's Stock
Streetwise Professor writes this about the Russian-Ukrainian gas deal: “So, if the masterful Gasputin has really engineered such a coup, one that in addition to pulling Ukraine into Russia’s orbit, also secures Gazprom’s economic interests, why has the company’s stock performed so badly? The market certainly doesn’t seem to think...
Russia, Hungary: Tractors, Trolleybuses, Buses
“Crazy” Moscow tractor – at Moscow Blog; St. Pete trolleybuses – at Russian History Blog; Budapest buses – at Budapest Guide.
Russia: Mummies and Lenin's Death Anniversary
Eternal Remont writes about the mummies’ protest on the 85th anniversary of Lenin's death.
Russia: Robert Amsterdam's Interview on Echo of Moscow
Robert Amsterdam's interview on Echo of Moscow radio station about the murder of lawyer Stanislav Markelov – and a translation of LJ user varfolomeev-v‘s response (RUS) to it.
Russia: Notes on the Crisis, Movies
Megan Case writes about her trip to Russia: “Our friends had stories of their workplaces downsizing, several had been given an extra “vacation” (without pay) or received a pay cut. There seemed to be fewer cars on the road, which is only good for traffic and the environment, but a...