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Georgia: April 9th protests could be explosive

By J. Wesley ⋅ March 25, 2009 ⋅ 3 comments

Much like Ukraine’s Orange Revolution, the Rose Revolution in Georgia was more unified in what it opposed than in what it wanted. Today, former allies of the Rose Revolution are bitter political enemies. President Mikheil Saakashvili, a key U.S. ally and a leader of the Revolution, has seen his support decline since Georgia’s disastrous [...]

Aesop might have something to say on this. . .

By J. Wesley ⋅ March 24, 2009 ⋅ One comment

Sen. Levin wants the U.S. to unite with Russia against Iran. You know, the Russia which has critical trade ties to Iran and supplies them with all of their nuclear energy components?
In other news, the chicken wants to unite with the bear against the wolf. That should go well.

Dagestan heats up for the Russians

By J. Wesley ⋅ March 21, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Five Russian soldiers and at least 14 militants are dead in Dagestan (which incidentally sounds like a GREAT title for a thriller.) The clashes took place on Thursday, about thirty klicks from the capital of Makhachkala. Russia is currently stepping-up operations against Dagestani separatists. At the same time, economic problems [...]

Does the Kremlin have online goon squads?

By J. Wesley ⋅ March 20, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

I’m tempted to say something about bears and the woods/popes and Catholicism.
The article over at OpenDemocracy is a reprint of an Expertiza.ru article from about a year ago. But it’s still interesting reading. The editor of Expertiza asserts that the Russian FSB has legions of totalitarian supporters which mob anti-government forums, [...]

Russian military soon to acquire 1990s-level tech marvels

By J. Wesley ⋅ March 20, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

While Russians celebrated a quick win over Georgia, after-action analysis revealed major weaknesses in the Russian military. Outdated equipment, poorly trained troops, weak intelligence, and spotty logistics are only a partial list of problems facing the Russian military.
Much like neighboring Ukraine, Russia has long needed to downsize its military. This would allow [...]

Georgian separatists to finally receive Moscow aid?

By J. Wesley ⋅ March 17, 2009 ⋅ 2 comments

Long after the guns have silenced in Georgia, the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia have seen little of the aid promised by Moscow. On Monday, Kommersant published a close look at conditions in South Ossetia. What they found was stark — little has been rebuilt, aid from Moscow has dried [...]

Svetlana Rudneva on abortion in Russia

By J. Wesley ⋅ March 17, 2009 ⋅ One comment

Chastnyi Korrespondent has an interview with Sveta Rudneva, head of the “Family and Childhood” foundation of Russia. Like many Russians, she’s worried about the demographic decline of Russia. As she rightly points out, abortion is perhaps the biggest factor driving Russia into the demographic ashbin of history.
Asked if she’s seen a [...]

President Medvedev “Just says No” to easy bailouts.

By J. Wesley ⋅ March 15, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Medvedev’s approach is a mix of fiscal accountability and economic nationalism. The Russian government is looking to help support 295 major corporations which are deemed “vital for the country.” Much like GM, they are considered too big to fail and are in danger of falling into foreign hands. At the same time, [...]

Two truths and a lie from Putin

By J. Wesley ⋅ March 11, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Remember the old party game where you would say two true things about yourself and one lie? Friends would then try to guess which was which? Meeting with United Russia, Putin just played the same game with the economic crisis. Can you spot the lie?
1. The economic crisis will continue for a long time.
2. [...]

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