Stories about Russia from January, 2008
Russia, UK: British Council
Robert Amsterdam writes on the UK-Russia conflict over the British Council.
Russia: Xenophobia Blogging
There seems to be more and more posts on xenophobia in the Russian blogosphere. Many are written by xenophobes, while some are written about them. Below are two recent examples of xenophobia blogging.
Soviet History: Fartsovshchiki
Window on Eurasia writes about a review of a new book on Soviet fartsovshchiki: “In the 1970s and 1980s, ‘fartsovka’ grew so large that Vasil’yev suggests there were six different groups involved in acquiring goods — hotel workers, sailors on Soviet cargo ships, long-distance truckers, participants in Interclubs, guides, and...
Russia, U.S.: Who Would Kremlin Vote For?
Russia Blog believes that if Kremlin could vote in the 2008 election in the United States, Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb) would most likely become the next president: “However, to Moscow’s regret, Hagel is not in the running, though his chances would be reasonably good.”
Russia: Extremism Charges Against “Voice of Beslan”
Robert Amsterdam and Siberian Light report on the plight of Voice of Beslan, a group of Beslan survivors and their relatives, who are now being accused of breaking the law on extremism.
Russia: Publishing Stalin
Window on Eurasia reports on an article in a Russian online publication about the efforts of Stalin's “most devoted followers to revise, reprint and extend the Soviet dictator’s collected works.”
Russia: Migration and Racism
Moscow Through Brown Eyes writes about Russian racists and labor migration to Russia.
Russia: Yemelyan Pugachev
ExecutedToday.com writes about Cossack rebel Yemelyan Pugachev's execution in 1775.
Russia: Yakov Slashchov
De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis writes about the White Guard general Yakov Slashchov: “Many years later, he became the prototype of general Khludov in the novel Flight (Beg in Russian) by M.Bulgakov — the brave but demoralized general who knew only one tool to restore discipline, the death penalty. Slashchov's...
Russia: Police Arrests Members of “Nashi”
Vilhelm Konnander writes about a crackdown on a rally by the pro-Putin youth movement Nashi: “That police actually intervened against Nashi demonstrators seems an exception to the rule of giving the movement great leeway in their public appearances and propaganda.”
Latvia: Politicians’ Quotes
“Amusing quotes” from Latvian politicians (as well as one from Putin, on Latvia), over at Latvian Abroad.
Russia: Putin's Soul
Sean's Russia Blog writes comprehensively about the endless “search for Putin’s soul.”
Russia: Nikolai Marr
De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis shares an extraordinary story of the life and work of Nikolay Yakovlevich Marr: “He became a great polyglot and could have become a great linguist, had it not been for the passion and obsession with his own unsubstantiated theories. He never even completed a single...
Georgia: Kicking Russian Ass
With international observers calling Saturday's snap presidential election in Georgia “broadly democratic”, Publius Pundit delights in “kicking a little Russian ass.” Now, the blog concludes, it's time for Georgia to be accepted into NATO.
Russia: Internet Use in the Regions
Windows on Eurasia writes on the internet use in Russia's regions.
Former Soviet Union: Diasporas
Windows on Eurasia writes about the impact of post-Soviet diasporas.
Russia: Yukos Shareholders’ Lawsuit
Siberian Light reports on a $100-billion lawsuit against Russia filed by Yukos shareholders.
Serbia: War Over Kosovo?
Dr. Filomena considers whether unrest in Serbia may be likely over Kosovo.
