Johnson's Russia List E-Mail Newsletter
Johnson's Russia List, "the JRL," has been a favored source of Russia-related information since it was founded by Editor-in-Chief David Johnson in 1996. Like an "Early Bird" focused on Russia and related subjects, the JRL since its beginning has been a voluminous, full-text e-mail newsletter, where its complete content resides. Recent tables of contents for the e-mail newsletter follow below. E-mail David Johnson to inquire about an e-mail subscription.
JRL E-Mail Newsletter: 2012 additional tables of contents
Johnson's Russia List
2012-#150
21 August 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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POLITICS
1. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Experts explain how Russia is managed.
2. Kommersant: Everything According to Clan: Putin Finishes Forming Government.
3. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, Aug. 21, 2012.
4. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Most Russians don't sympathize Pussy Riot.
5. Moscow Times: Pussy Riot Copycats Demonstrate at Cathedral in Germany.
6. Christian Science Monitor: Fred Weir, How Russia transformed Pussy Riot into international cause célèbre.
7. Bellona: Charles Digges, ANALYSIS: Embraced abroad and reviled at home - how Pussy Riot has both shaken and exposed the faith.
8. Moscow Times: Opposition Fears Split Over Pussy Riot Case.
9. Interfax: Russian rights activist hopes Pussy Riot conviction will be repealed. (Mikhail Fedotov)
10. Interfax: Tambov deacon breaks up with church over Pussy Riot verdict.
11. Moscow News: Getting medieval. The Pussy Riot verdict caused anger and bemusement.
12. The National Interest: Andranik Migranyan, Pussy Riot's Pyrrhic Victory.
13. Izvestia: Journalist Maksim Sokolov Contends Pussy Riot Sentence Justified.
14. Der Spiegel: Russian Activist Alexei Navalny. Pussy Riot Trial 'Reminds Me of the Inquisition'
15. New York Times: Vadim Nikitin, The Wrong Reasons to Back Pussy Riot.
16. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Concerned Women for America's Courageous Attack on Pussy Riot.
17. Moscow Times: Vladimir Ryzkhov, This Is a Terrible Time to Be a Dictator, Mr. Putin.
18. ITAR-TASS: Opposition gets ready for elections to coordinating council, but skeptics are many.
19. Vedomosti: SELECTION. THE OPPOSITION: ELECTION OF THE COORDINATING COUNCIL IS UNDER WAY.
20. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Yukos Case Sequel.
21. Moscow News: Russia's Far East dilemma. The development of the country's Pacific territories is long overdue, analysts say.
ECONOMY
22. RIA Novosti: Russia Productivity Gap Threatens 'Greek Scenario' - Analyst.
23. Valdai Discussion Club: Andrei Kortunov, Role of business ombudsman in Russia.
24. Moscow Times: Taxman Wants to Peek at Private Bank Accounts.
25. Moscow News: Greenpeace looking to public. Mixed state response means environmental safety may have to rely on popular actions.
26. Moscow News: East side story. While Europe still buys the majority of Russia's resources, a risk of declining demand is spurring Russian firms to look to Asia for new customers.
27. Financial Times: Russia courts the east instead of west.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
28. www.russiatoday.com: Russia, China say bypassing UN rules is 'impermissible'
29. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Vzglyad: Russia's Foreign Ministry: military operations against Syria may lead to disaster. In recent interviews, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Moscow's positions on Syria and Iran.
30. AP: Circassians flee Syria strife for Russia homeland.
31. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Gazeta.ru: Fyodor Lukyanov, The world ignores Egypt at its own peril. While the major global players are focused on Damascus, a power play is going on in Cairo that could have a more significant effect.
32. Moscow News editorial: APEC and Pussy Riot.
33. Moscow News: Mark Galeotti, SCO guns and APEC butter.
34. Kommersant: FOREIGN AND DEFENSE POLICIES WILL BE MADE GLOBAL. Sergei Karaganov means to relinquish chairmanship at the Foreign and Defense Policy Council.
35. Pravda.ru: Visa-free regime between Russia and EU just around the corner.
36. Ottawa Citizen (Canada): Canadian Government Does Not See A Military Threat in the Arctic, Says DND (Department of National Defence).
- Back to the Top -
2012-#149
20 August 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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Your source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: Immigration Drives Russian Population Increase.
2. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, Aug. 20, 2012.
3. AFP: Russia launches hunt for other Pussy Riot members.
4. www.russiatoday.com: Lavrov warns against 'hysteria' over Pussy Riot trial.
5. Moscow Times: Guilty Verdict Puts the Heat on Putin.
6. AP: Russian clerics forgive Pussy Riot for Putin rant.
7. Christian Science Monitor: Fred Weir, Pussy Riot sentence: How did it play in Russia?
8. RIA Novosti: Pussy Riot Jailing Fails to Boost Street Protests.
9. AP: A guide to Pussy Riot's oeuvre.
10. Time.com: The Priest Who Beat Pussy Riot: The Orthodox Point Man with the Kremlin. (Father Vsevolod Chaplin)
11. Moscow Times editorial: Pussy Riot's Crime and Unfair Punishment.
12. Moscow Times: Oleg Kashin, Insulted, Putin Makes Millions of Us Feel His Pain.
13. Peter Lavelle: Pussy Riot and Russia's corrupt creative intelligentsia.
14. Gazeta.ru editorial: The strong shall forgive, the weak shall revenge.
15. Moscow Times: Victor Davidoff, Putin's Brave New World in a Medieval Russia.
16. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, The Pussy Riot Trial Is Bad, But It's Definitely Not "Stalinism"
17. Washington Post editorial: A Russian farce over a punk rock band.
18. Spiked: Tim Black, It isn't only Russia that punishes iconoclasm. Western observers have been thrilled by Pussy Riot's sacrilegious antics in Moscow. So why aren't they supportive of sacrilege here at home?
19. Real Clear Religion: Philip Jenkins, The New Soviet League of Militant Godless.
20. Moscow News: Flowers mark 21st anniversary of failed Communist putsch.
21. ITAR-TASS: Opposition nominates its candidate for Khimki mayor.
22. RBC Daily: THE KREMLIN AND REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIONS MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR THE FORTHCOMING GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS.
23. Interfax: Russians still oppose gay "marriage", become more tolerant of gay unions - poll.
24. New York Times: Misha Friedman, For Russians, Corruption Is Just a Way of Life. (photos)
ECONOMY
25. Business New Europe: Aton, Russian economy: No second wind. Outlook for 2H12 and 2013.
26. Russia Beyond the Headlines/ Rossiyskaya Gazeta: New numbers show Russians generally satisfied with work.
27. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: 'Oil Shale Revolution' Underestimated by Russia.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
28. Reuters: Russia: Syrian rebels getting lots of Western arms.
29. Moscow Times: Analyst Questions Kremlin's Threats Against Iran.
30. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Patriarch ends visit to Poland.
31. IDN-InDepth News: Russia to Focus on its Far East at APEC 2012.
LONG ITEM
32. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Bobo Lo and Lilia Shevtsova, A 21st Century Myth Authoritarian Modernization in Russia and China.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#148
17 August 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moskovskiye Novosti: Final Warning. Smoking in restaurants, on beaches and in trains may be prohibited in Russia.
2. Reuters: Russian punk protesters sentenced to two years jail.
3. Interfax: Pussy Riot singers were motivated by hatred for believers - court verdict.
4. www.russiatoday.com: Pussy Riot sentenced to two years in jail.
5. RIA Novosti: Pussy Riot Trial Verdict: Live Updates.
6. Kommersant: Forty-Four Percent of Russians Support Pussy Riot Trial.
7. www.russiatoday.com: Fyodor Lukyanov, Pussy Riot: International phenomenon?
8. Interfax: Pussy Riot stunt less harmful to society than their imprisonment Yavlinsky.
9. Reuters: Pussy Riot not a big hit with Russian pop stars.
10. Valdai Discussion Club: Alexander Rahr, Pussy Riot ushers in a new clash of civilizations.
11. Council on Foreign Relations: What's at Stake in Putin's Culture War. Interviewee: Stephen Sestanovich, George F. Kennan Senior Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Council on Foreign Relations.
12. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, Aug. 17, 2012.
13. RIA Novosti: Putin's Approval Rating at Post-Election Low Survey.
14. Vedomosti: PUTIN'S RATING IS AT AN All-TIME LOW. More than half of the population has an unfavorable opinion of Vladimir Putin.
15. Valdai Discussion Club: Vyacheslav Nikonov, The Third Hundred Days of President Putin.
16. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Kommersant: Church splits Russian society.
17. ITAR-TA SS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. RF president meets regional ombudsmen.
18. Moscow Times editorial: A Way to Put Officials In Our Place.
19. Asia Times: Dmitry Shlapentokh, Pragmatic jihad in Tatarstan.
20. RFE/RL: Brian Whitmore, Why The Kremlin Is Losing.
21. www.opendemocracy.net: Nicu Popescu, Updating Russia's repressive software (and why the genie will say 'no')
22. The Economist: Remembering Pyotr Fomenko. A happy life.
23. The Times (UK) obituary: Tony Bishop; Senior Russian interpreter who acted for the Queen and eight prime ministers during his 37-year career in the Foreign Office.
ECONOMY
24. Moscow Times/Vedomosti: Regulators: Don't Mess With Business.
25. Moscow News: Planned increases in tariffs could increase poverty levels.
26. Business New Europe: Troika, Winners & Losers from WTO entry.
27. Moscow Times: Q&A: If Only the School Bullies Could See Lou Naumovski Now.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
28. RIA Novosti: Fyodor Lukyanov, The West and Russia's 'Undeserved' Influence.
29. RIA Novosti: U.S. Keeps Russia on 'National Threat' List.
30. Interfax interview: Wendy Sherman: Moscow's position on Syria may have disastrous consequences for Russia. U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs)
31. www.counterpunch.org: Eric Walberg, Russia in the Middle East.
32. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: COLLECTIVE PEACEKEEPING DEFENSE. Blue helmets of the CSTO are preparing to neutralize the color revolutions in the post-Soviet territorires.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#147
16 August 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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Your source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moskovsky Komsomolets: Mikhail Vinogradov, PUTIN BEGINS AND...VLADIMIR PUTIN'S 100 DAYS: ACCOMPLISHES AND FAILURES.
2. RIA Novosti: One Hundred Days of Putin.
3. ITAR-TASS: Political scientists look back on first 100 days of Putin's presidency.
4. Russia: Other Points of View: Gordon Hahn, PUTIN'S RETURN AND THE THAW'S FATE.
5. RIA Novosti: Konstantin von Eggert, Russian Politics Saturated with Mistrust and Evasion.
6. ITAR-TASS: Nationalism is becoming Russia's ever more acute problem.
7. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, Aug. 16, 2012.
8. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, Aug. 15, 2012.
9. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, Aug. 14, 2012.
10. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Kremlin's new analytical center to seek ways to reconcile authorities and society.
11. Interfax: Putin 'hears' ombudsman opinion about Pussy Riot case.
12. Moscow Times: Kremlin Behind Pussy Riot Trial. Or Is It the Church?
13. RIA Novosti: Authorities Face Hard Choice in Pussy Riot Verdict.
14. Reuters: Russian female punk rock band trial sets tone for Putin presidency.
15. Reuters: Russian church leader rejects criticism over state ties.
16. RFE/RL: Media Frenzy Over Pussy Riot Obscures Legal Plights Of Lesser-Known Protesters.
17. The Daily Telegraph (UK): John Lough, Pussy Riot's stunning victory over Putin's bureaucrats.
18. Vedomosti: SURKOV, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH. Deputy Premier Vladislav Surkov will handle relations with religious organizations.
19. Nezavisimaya Gazeta editorial: DIRECT NONCOMPETITIVE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS. It requires a stretch of imagination to call the forthcoming gubernatorial elections free or fair.
20. ITAR-TASS: Putin calls to establish institution of ombudsman in every region.
21. Valdai Discussion Club: Georgy Bovt, The Open Government project: an attempt to improve the Russian economy.
22. www.opendemocracy.net: Dmitri Travin, Russia, over the cuckoo's nest.
ECONOMY
23. Interfax: Putin: Russia can effectively confront potential economic crisis.
24. Komsomolskaya Pravda: Russians Expect Financial Crisis This Fall.
25. Valdai Discussion Club: Leonid Grigoryev, Is Russia heading toward crisis?
26. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Russia's Economy is Still Growing Faster than Every EU Country.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
27. Reuters: Russia says West reneging on Syria deal.
28. New York Times: Nikolai Korchunov, Another Pandora's Box?
29. www.russiatoday.com: Sergey Strokan, Russia and Iran: Heading toward a political earthquake?
30. U.S.-Russia Business Council: Edward Verona, Time to Act on PNTR. (Permanent Normal Trade Relations)
31. RIA Novosti: U.S. Presidential Polls 'One of World's Worst' Russian Election Chief.
32. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Medvedev's role in the South Ossetian war to be assessed by law enforcers.
33. www.powerandpolicy.com: Simon Saradzhyan, Putin vs. Medvedev on Georgia war in 2008.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#146
10 August 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
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Your source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times: Nikolaus von Twickel, Medvedev Defends Role in Georgia War.
2. Christian Science Monitor: Fred Weir, Was Putin in charge during Georgia war? Medvedev begs to differ.
3. The Voice of Russia: Dmitry Babich, Putin's revelations on the 2008 war finalize the picture of Saakashvili's aggression.
4. RFE/RL: Robert Coalson, Does Russia-Georgia-War Film Signal A Rift Between Putin And Medvedev?
5. Jamestown Foundation Eurasia Daily Monitor: Pavel Felgenhauer, Putin Confirms the Invasion of Georgia Was Preplanned. (DJ: See my comments below)
6. Interfax: Influence of Internet community on real life should not be overestimated - Medvedev.
7. RIA Novosti: Russians Do More to Stay Healthy - Survey.
8. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, August 10, 2012.
9. Kommersant: THE TANDEM RATING IS CLOSE TO ITS ABSOLUTE MINIMUM.
10. www.russiatoday.com: Medvedev calls to purge United Russia of 'accidental' members.
11. Vedomosti: TRANSPARENT DUMA. By autumn the state Duma will become more open for the society.
12. ITAR-TASS: Police reform in Russia continues under new interior minister.
13. www.russiatoday.com: Civil servants to study tolerance.
14. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Anna Nemtsova, NGO law affects Russia's civil society. Hundreds of Russian civil society organizations will not receive foreign grants anymore, despite the fact they depend on such funding to survive. Some organizations have decided to try to focus on Russian funding.
15. Los Angeles Times: Carol Williams, Stalinist tactics on Russian dissent could stumble in Internet era.
16. Sean's Russia Blog: Sean Guillory, Russian Federal Law 83-FZ, or Austerity by Other Means.
17. RIA Novosti: Russia Is No China To Have Sports Under State Control - Kremlin Chief Of Staff.
18. Moscow Times: Michael Bohm, The Laughing Stock of the World. (re Pussy Riot)
19. Patrick Armstrong: RUSSIAN FEDERATION SITREP 9 August 2012.
20. http://mercouris.wordpress.com: Alexander Mercouris, PUSSY RIOT.
ECONOMY
21. Bloomberg: Russia's Economy Expanded 4% in Second Quarter, Slowest in Year.
22. Interfax: Oil, budget risks in the way of high rating for Russia - S&P.
23. Interfax: Number of Russian Pessimistic About WTO on The Rise - Poll.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
24. www.russiatoday.com: Russia and Iran: Heading for divorce court?
25. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Poland, Russia, and the Real Security Threats in Central Europe.
26. Interfax: Russia Wants Clarity About U.S. Plans Regarding Afghanistan - Deputy Defense Minister.
27. Financial Times: Philip Stephens, There is no need for Mitt to bait the old Russian bear.
28. RIA Novosti: Controversial Language Law Enters Force in Ukraine.
29. AP: Under U.S.-educated reformer Saakashvili, Georgia's opposition alleges repression.
LONG ITEM
30. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Thomas Graham, Russia and the World.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#145
9 August 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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Your source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times: Putin Contradicts Medvedev on Georgia War.
2. www.russiatoday.com: Russia was prepared for Georgian aggression Putin.
3. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The president and the prime minister dwelt on the circumstances of the beginning of the war with Georgia.
4. Kremlin.ru: Putin on rock star's corruption appeal, Georgia war, Olympics.
5. Interfax: Russians do not believe parties and the authorities.
6. Interfax: UN experts: Russian laws comply with world anti-corruption standards.
7. Nezavisimaya Gazeta editorial: NO DIALOGUE. THERE IS SOMETHING FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG WITH THE PRESIDENT'S DIRECT LINK TO SOCIETY. President Putin's dialogue with musician Makarevich. A missed opportunity.
8. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, August 9, 2012.
9. Moscow Times: Pussy Riot Verdict Delayed to Aug. 17.
10. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The trial against the members of the punk band Pussy Riot is over, the verdict will be pronounced on August 17.
11. Kommersant: Pussy Riot Trial Seen Likely To Worsen Russia's Image in West.
12. Der Spiegel: Russia's Merciless Church. Pussy Riot Trial Sheds Light on Kremlin's Religious Ties.
13. www.counterpunch.org: Mike Whitney, The Pussy Riot Flap.
14. Moscow Times: Court Cuts Prison Sentence of Khodorkovsky's Partner.
15. RBC Daily: MOMENT OF TRUTH ...for the Magnitsky Affair. SERGEI MAGNITSKY'S BOSS INFORMED PUTIN OF THE THEFT OF $800 MILLION FROM THE BUDGET.
16. St. Petersburg Times: First Protesters Get Fined Under New Rally Law.
17. BBC: Radical Islam raises tension in Russia's Tatarstan.
18. Moscow Times: Cossacks, Activists Unite Against $6Bln Mining Project.
19. Novye Izvestia: POTENTIAL. THE PROSECUTOR GENERAL'S Office ACKNOWLEDGED ITS OWN INADEQUACY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION.
20. Moscow Times: Boris Kagarlitsky, Corruption Organically Redistributes Wealth.
21. Jamestown Foundation Eurasia Daily Monitor: Stephen Blank, Political Struggle Breaks out over Defense and Procurement Spending.
22. Valdai Discussion Club: Valdai Club experts on Russian political trends. (Mary Dejevsky, David Hearst, and Gabor Stier)
23. Yezhednevnyy Zhurnal: Russian Opposition Figure On Challenges Involved in Fighting the Regime. (Aleksandr Podrabinek)
24. RIA Novosti: Valaam Priest Explains Putin Hand Kiss.
25. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: PRETENDING TO WITHDRAW FROM ECONOMY. DMITRY MEDVEDEV IS ABOLISHING GOVERNMENT COUNCILS AND COMMISSIONS
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
26. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Primakov Comments on Syrian Situation, Middle East Issues, Islamism.
27. ITAR-TASS: Rumored killing of Russian general in Syria proves media canard.
28. Kommersant: SYRIAN CHEMICAL WARFARE MEANS. Russia refuses to eliminate Syrian chemical weapons together with the United States after al-Assad's downfall.
29. RIA Novosti: Russia to Stem Chinese Migrant Flow to Far East.
30. www.russiatoday.com: Fyodor Lukyanov, War with Georgia manifested new Russia.
31. ITAR-TASS: Medvedev says operation against Georgia in South Ossetia was timely.
32. Interfax: Georgia was trying to discredit Russian army in Aug 2008 conflict - Russian investigators.
33. Interfax: Successful military operation in S. Ossetia in August 2008 was optimal for Russia - analysts.
34. Interfax: Public Support For Including Abkhazia, S Ossetia In Russia Growing - Poll.
35. Civil Georgia: Saakashvili Attacks Ivanishvili over His TV's War Anniversary News Report Blunder.
- Back to the Top -
Johnson's Russia List
2012-#144
8 August 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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POLITICS
1. Moscow News: Russia almost doubles its gold medal tally.
2. BBC Monitoring: There are things we could learn from London Olympics, says Russian envoy.
3. AFP: Cold War rivalry could heat up in hoops finals.
4. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Take a virtual trip to the museum. Google Art Project's new features allow users to take walk through five Russian museums without having to leave their chairs.
5. Polit.ru: Boris Mezhuyev: 'Liberalization Will Set In Already In the Fall'.
6. Polit.ru: Gleb Pavlovskiy: 'Putin's State Hanging By a Thread'.
7. Moscow Times: Russian Facebook Users Especially Cynical, Research Says.
8. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, August 8, 2012.
9. BBC Monitoring: Putin says Russian business shares responsibility for corruption.
10. RIA Novosti: Veteran Russian Rock Star Insists Putin Wrong To Blame Business For Corruption.
11. RIA Novosti: Putin Praises His Former Boss Sobchak, Father Of Opposition Activist.
12. ITAR-TASS: Moscow court to hand down verdict for Pussy Riot participants on August 17.
13. Moscow Times: Prosecutor, Insisting Case Isn't Political, Seeks 3 Years for Pussy Riot.
14. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The prosecutor demands three years in prison for the Pussy Riot members.
15. The New Republic: Julia Ioffe, Pussy Riot v. Putin: A Front Row Seat at a Russian Dark Comedy.
16. Bloomberg: Russian Court Orders Release of Khodorkovsky Partner in 2013.
17. Interfax: Most Russians Consider Public TV Important, Expect News To Dominate - Poll.
18. Moscow Times: Yulia Latynina, Milner's Physics Prize Is Best News in 10 Years.
19. ITAR-TASS: Russian space industry laden with failures.
20. www.nationalreview.com: David Satter, Russia's Choice.
ECONOMY
21. Komsomolskaya Pravda: Bigger Earnings and Spending for Russians in Anticipation of a Crisis, Experts Say.
22. Interfax: High Capital Flight Rules Out Increased Interest in Russian Shares - Analysts.
23. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Kommersant-Dengi: Top Russian managers in high demand abroad. Russian managers are finding that opportunities outside Russia sometimes lead to better positions at home.
24. Moscow Times: Murmansk Poised for Risky Renaissance.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
25. ITAR-TASS: Full-scale civil war involving external forces underway in Syria Primakov.
26. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Kommersant: Magnitsky Bill takes on a life of its own. Sources in Congress now indicate that it could be adopted without repealing the Jackson-Vanik amendment.
27. Moscow Times: Andrei Soldatov, Why a Young American Wants to Be a Russian Spy.
28. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Kommersant: Russia suggests a bypass to Europe. Moscow offers APEC members the Trans-Siberian Railway as a replacement for the Suez Canal.
29. RIA Novosti: Former Generals Slate Medvedev Over Ossetia War. [DJ: Do you remember JRL's coverage of this conflict?]
30. ITAR-TASS: Putin admits Russia planned response to Georgian aggression beforehand.
31. Izvestia: Investigative Committee Accuses Georgia of Discrediting Russian Army.
32. www.russiatoday.com: Georgia may seek revenge over Ossetian War Moscow.
33. ITAR-TASS: Events on 4th anniversary of Georgia aggression held in South Ossetia.
34. Civil Georgia: Saakashvili Speaks of 'Putin's New Plan to Subdue Georgia'
35. The Messenger (Georgia): More about the threat from Russia.
36. Stratfor.com: Re-Examining the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#143
7 August 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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Your source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow News: Olympic false start. Team Russia is hoping for a storming finish after a sluggish beginning in London.
2. AP: With Sochi ahead, once-powerful Russia may be gearing up for worst Olympic finish in 6 decades.
3. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The Russians are dissatisfied with the results of the Olympics.
4. Reuters: Russian prosecutor seeks jail for Pussy Riot protest.
5. www.russiatoday.com: Pussy Riot verdict looms: Prosecution wants 3 years.
6. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. A fourth of Russians do not trust clergymen.
7. Moscow TImes: Video of Putin Threatening Affectionate Priest Goes Viral.
8. ITAR-TASS: Russia prepares for celebrations of victory in the 1812 Patriotic war.
9. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring. What the Papers Say, August 7, 2012.
10. ITAR-TASS: Russian rock musician urges president to combat corruption.
11. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: DMITRY MEDVEDEV'S COMPANY NINE. Premier Medvedev had another Expert Council established within the government.
12. BBC Monitoring: Russian PM appoints 200 people to government's expert council.
13. Moscow Times: Vladimir Ryzhkov, Kremlin's Pocket Duma and Courts.
14. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The oppositionist deputy may be stripped of deputy immunity. (Gennady Gudkov)
15. Osobaya Bukva: Russian Opposition Coordination Council Plans Seen Unlikely To Succeed. (Pavel Salin)
16. Moscow News: Mark Galeotti, Is the Force with Bastrykin? The Kremlin's Praetorian may risk being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
17. Christian Science Monitor: Fred Weir, Russians fear Pussy Riot trial is just the start.
18. Moskovskiye Novosti: What If Pussy Riot Had Sung Their Punk Prayer in a Mosque or Synagogue.
19. Wall Street Journal: Kevin M. F. Platt and Karina Sotnik, As Pussy Riot Trial Continues, Music and the Web Become Tools of Free Expression.
20. Moscow News: Natalia Antonova, The placards will not be witty. Amid bizarre legal proceedings, ordinary Russians are quietly radicalizing.
21. Kommersant: Local Government Officials Seen Scapegoated by Superiors When Things Go Wrong. (Gleb Cherkasov)
22. Slon.ru: Stanislav Belkovskiy Rebuts Doubts About Putin 'Liberalization' Moves.
23. Moscow Times: Alexei Bayer, Putin's Regime Won't Collapse Anytime Soon.
24. Interfax: Russian Academy of Sciences reform long overdue.
25. Interfax: Russian Islamic Expert Likens Kazan Rally To Start Of Arab Spring.
26. Gazeta.ru editorial: Caucasus forgotten.
ECONOMY
27. Moscow News: As crisis looms, Russia reforms capital markets.
28. Business New Europe: UralSib, Klepach says capital flight could double to $50bn.
29. Bloomberg: Russian Capital Outflow Forecast Underestimates Risks, Banks Say.
30. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Russia's Consumer Market Is Weathering the Storm, For Now.
31. BBC Monitoring: Russia 'far behind' USA in space exploration, Skolkovo manager says.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
32. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Eugene Ivanov, Jackson-Vanik Forever? The failure of the U.S. Congress to take up legislation granting Russia permanent normal trade relation status before its summer holiday postpones the issue at least until 2013.
33. New York Times: Joe Nocera, How Not to Pass a Bill.
34. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Modern-Day Crime and Punishment. More Russians travel to the United States for educational purposes than the other way around, and educators and Russia watchers are pushing to see this change.
35. Osobaya Bukva: Russian Expert: Annan 'Great Loser,' Only 'Madman' Would Send Troops to Syria. (Yevgeniy Satanovskiy)
36. Moscow TImes: Alon Ben-Meir, How Syria Pits Russia Against United States.
37. www.russiatoday.com: Sergey Strokan, Afghanistan: Let NATO do the job for Russia.
38. ITAR-TASS: South Ossetia to commemorate victims of Georgian aggression.
39. Interfax: Saakashvili: Georgia Will Enter NATO And EU And Return "occupied" Lands.
40. Civil Georgia: Saakashvili: 'Those, Who Say Georgia Started War, Don't Love Georgia'
41. www.huffingtonpost.com: Lincoln Mitchell, Who Is Really Doing Russia's Bidding in Tbilisi?
- Back to the Top -
Johnson's Russia List
2012-#142
6 August 2012
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: Half of Russians Distrust Police, Politicians Survey.
2. New York Times: A Decadent Reminder of Russia Before Putin. (the Hungry Duck)
3. Interfax: Medvedev's son becomes MGIMO student.
4. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, August 6, 2012.
5. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: PUTIN'S VIEWS...on multi-party system. An update on Russian politics.
6. Gazeta.ru editorial: Hunter's debate with his game.
7. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russian Interior Ministry Personnel Changes Seen Signaling 'Real Reform'
8. Izvestia: Russian Officials Reluctant to Sell Foreign Assets.
9. AFP: Russia's punk trial nears verdict as West watches.
10. Moscow Times: Pussy Riot Wonders If Putin's Words Will Help
11. Interfax: Church Official Says Russia's Future Hinges On Outcome Of Pussy Riot Discussion.
12. BBC Monitoring: Russian reporters complain of harassment and threats at Pussy Riot trial.
13. Moscow Times: Russian Musicians Hesitant to Back Pussy Riot.
14. AP: Kremlin youth camp seeks image change. (Seliger)
15. AFP: Putin foe Navalny claims he's bugged.
16. Moscow Times: Victor Davidoff, Why the Kremlin Should Read Navalny's Blog.
17. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Moscow Daily: Law on 'Foreign Agents' Imposes Responsibility on Authorities.
18. www.opendemocracy.net: Poel Karp, Why Russia needs a defamation law... a proper one.
19. Moscow News: Caucasus strongman spat uncovers regional tensions.
20. Bloomberg: Lebedev Says Has Proof Russian Officials Stole Tens of Billions.
21. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Katrina vanden Heuvel, Vladimir Putin, and Russia-Style 'Austerity'
ECONOMY
22. Interfax: With Oil At $60 a Barrel in 2013 Russian GDP Could Contract By 2.7% - Econ Ministry.
23. Moscow Times: Analysis: Economic Quandary Puts Life at $199 Per Month at Risk.
24. RIA Novosti: Russians on Mortgage Loan Spree Ahead of Rate Hikes.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
25. Reuters: Russia's Lavrov perfects the art of saying 'Nyet'
26. Kommersant: VOTING ON SYRIAN RESOLUTION. Syrian crisis: Russia and China vs the rest of the international community.
27. RIA Novosti: Russian Pundits, MPs Blame West For Annan Quitting As UN Envoy For Syria.
28. Interfax: Loss of Tartus Tantamount to Loss of Mediterranean For Russia - Military Diplomat.
29. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Izvestia: Syrian Ossetians seek to return to Russia. More than 150 years ago, ethnic Ossetians from the North Caucasus region of southern Russia fled violence and became refugees in Syria. Now their descendants want to come back.
30. Middle East Online: Vadim Nikitin, Could Russia Be Right About Syria? What Russia is saying about Syria may be self-serving and amoral, but fundamentally true: that Syria was no more oppressive than Bahrain, Jordan or Saudi Arabia.
31. www.russiatoday.com: Russia to build new naval bases in the Arctic.
32. Moscow Times: Paul Rimple, Years After the War, It's Still Georgia's Fault.
33. Interfax: August 5 Marks a Year Since Tymoshenko Was Jailed.
LONG ITEM
34. Forbes.ru: Tycoon Arkadiy Rotenberg Interviewed on Business Interests, Relations With Putin.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#141
3 August 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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Your source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Russians Divided in Their Assessments of National Development.
2. Interfax: Russians Increasingly Consider Authorities Unwilling To Fight Corruption - Poll.
3. Interfax: Russians' Main Source Of News Still TV, Though Trust In Internet Growing - Poll.
4. Interfax: Poll Shows Russians Support Tighter Control Of NGOs But Are Ill Informed.
5. Wall Street Journal: Putin Cheers Russia's Judo Juggernaut.
6. AP: Russian who lost record to Phelps wishes him well. (Larisa Latynina)
7. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, August 3, 2012.
8. Moscow News: Analysts disagree over protest poll.
8a. Interfax: Putin Says Against Punishing Pussy Riot Musicians "too Strictly"
9. The Economist: Russian politics. From blogger to logger? How and why one of Russia's leading opposition figures has been accused of stealing timber. (Navalny)
10. BBC Monitoring: Russian protest leader rejects new criminal charges as baseless.
11. Izvestia: Commentary Sees Bastrykin-Navalnyy Standoff as 'War in Looking-Glass Land.' (Anna Fedorova)
12. Interfax: Business Ombudsman Likely to Say Khodorkovsky's Second Conviction Illegal - Yurgens.
13. Interfax: Presidential Human Rights Council Backs Khodorkovsky Appeal to Businessmen's Ombudsman.
14. Interfax: Moscow Helsinki Group Head Alexeyeva: I'd Rather Die in Jail Than Be Registered as Foreign Agent.
15. Izvestia: Kremlin Prepares to Change State Duma Election Bill.
16. ITAR-TASS: New liberal parties emerge along with disagreements between liberals.
17. Moscow Times: Michael Bohm, Patriots Are Destroying Russia.
18. New York Times: Mixed Russian Feelings on Jailed Punk Rock Band.
19. RIA Novosti: Outside Pressure over Pussy Riot Trial Unlikely to Yield Results.
20. The Nation: Katrina vanden Heuvel, Pussy Riot and the Two Russias.
21. The Voice of Russia: Dmitry Babich, Western press on "Putin's Russia": absurd "medieval" visions.
22. Aton: RANDOM RUSSIA: Russian Demographics: Make Love, Not Oil.
23. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Putin's Regime is the "Defense of Emptiness." (re Ivan Davydov on how the authorities are settling down Russia)
24. N+1: Greg Afinogenov, The Politics of Cynicism.
ECONOMY
25. Vedomosti: Russian, Chinese Anti-Crisis Measures Compared.
26. Bloomberg: IMF Warns Russia Faces 'Considerable' Global Contagion Risks.
27. RIA Novosti: Lebedev to Sell Out of Russia Over Pressure From Authority.
28. ITAR-TASS: Russia's accession of WTO to have positive effect on economic ties with US opinion.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
29. Moscow Times: As U.S. Acts on Magnitsky, Europe Debates.
30. RBC Daily: ELECTION LAW. The U.S. Congress has set aside the adoption of the "Magnitsky Law" and the abolition of the Jackson - Vanik amendment for at least five weeks.
31. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Izvestia: USAID exits Russia? Experts say the American agency that works to advance democracy worldwide is winding down its operations because of down funding and "waning interest" in Russia.
32. Russia Beyond the Headlines: APEC countries to improve transportation between Russia and Asia. At the APEC CEO summit in September, Russia will push its initiative for greater transportation integration among Far Eastern nations.
33. Verslo Zinios (Lithuania): Russian Analyst Interviewed on Russia's Relations With Baltic Countries, Poland. (Fyodor Lukyanov)
- Back to the Top -
Johnson's Russia List
2012-#140
2 August 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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Your source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times: Grand Celebrations Begin for 1812 Battle.
2. Wall Street Journal: Putin, Judo Fan, to Cast Eye Over Competition.
3. Reuters: Black belt Putin tackles Cameron on Syria.
4. The New Yorker: Katia Bachko, Why I Wish the Russian Gymnasts Had Won.
5. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring. What the Papers Say, August 2, 2012.
6. RIA Novosti: Putin Tells Youth Camp Participants He 'Felt Bad' For 'White Ribbon' Protesters.
7. Svobodnaya Pressa: Medvedev's Political Future Pondered. (Ivan Kirichenko)
8. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Protest sentiment back to the level of December 2011.
9. RIA Novosti: Russians Support Recent Laws Restricting Freedoms - Poll.
10. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Russian Experts Debate Possible Impact of Recent Legislation on the Opposition.
11.New York Times editorial: Russia's Beleaguered Opposition.
12. Christian Science Monitor: Fred Weir, Pussy Riot trial sends warning shot toward anti-Putin protesters. Critics argue that the growing list of Russian state actions against opposition figures is part of a creeping crackdown aimed at quashing new protests in September.
13. Moscow TImes: Investigators Open New Inquiry Into Opposition-Minded Lawmaker. (Gennady Gudkov)
14. RIA Novosti: Russian Justice Ministry Registers RPR-PARNAS Party.
15. RIA Novosti: Navalny's Team to Set up Party.
16. Moscow Times: Konstantin Sonin, Orthodox Church's Worst Mistake Since 1901.
17. St. Petersburg Times: City Institute Confronts Legal Nihilism in Russia . The existing legal system can easily be manipulated, according to researchers.
18. Interfax: Moscow Helsinki Group Won't Stop Using Foreign Grants Voluntarily - Head.
19. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Lawmakers seek to ban officials from having bank accounts and real estate abroad.
20. New York Times: Amid Political Prosecutions, Russian Court Issues Ruling Favorable to Oil Tycoon. (Khodorkovsky)
21. RIA Novosti: Russian Pundits Downplay Significance Of Supreme Court Ruling On Yukos Case.
22. Interfax: Russians know little about new public television.
23. Moscow Times: Nikolas Sluchevsky, Reviving Rural Russia.
24. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Moskovskiye Novosti: Moscow likely to merge with Moscow Region. Urban planning experts are certain that in the next decade Moscow will combine with the Moscow Region, which will result in major changes in the way the city is governed.
ECONOMY
25. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russian Economy Moves into Recession.
26. Reuters: IMF urges Russia to tighten fiscal and monetary policy.
27. RIA Novosti: Russia Must Prepare for Energy Revolution Medvedev.
28. Bloomberg: Drought Is Added to Fedorov's Tasks as Russia Joins WTO. (re agriculture)
29. St. Petersburg Times: Official Calls for Laws on Land Ownership to Be Amended. Federal or local government owns approximately 92 percent of Russian territory.
30. RIA Novosti: Russia Should Maintain State Control of Continental Shelf Dvorkovich.
31. Moscow Times: New Rules Revolutionize Banking Sector.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
32. Vedomosti: SYRIAN SHADOW. SYRIAN CRISIS AND PUSSY RIOT TRIAL CAST A SHADOW OVER VLADIMIR PUTIN'S FIRST VISIT TO LONDON IN SEVEN YEARS.
33. ITAR-TASS: Putin says Russia should help NATO with cargo transportation to Afghanistan.
34. Interfax: Russian experts on possible NATO assault on Syria, air defence supplies to opposition.
35. Novye Izvestia: "ROMNEY WITHSTOOD THE TEMPTATION TO CALL RUSSIA AMERICA'S NUMBER ONE ENEMY." An interview with Leon Aron, advisor to candidate for U.S. president Mitt Romney.
36. www.foreignpolicy.com: Russia trade and human rights bills delayed until after election.
37. Washington Post editorial: Case of Russian blogger Alexey Navalny shows why Congress should approve human rights act.
38. Novye Izvestia: "NO DEMOCRATIZATION TRENDS ANYWHERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH." An interview with Political Information Center Director General Aleksei Mukhin.
39. Jamestown Foundation Eurasia Daily Monitor: Richard Weitz, Congress Reviews Central Asia (Part One): Security Issues.
40. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: AMERICAN AID TO UZBEKISTAN INCREASES. An update on the American-Uzbek relations.
41. Izvestia: "IT IS THAT MILITARY FACTOR THAT RESTRAINS NATIONALISTS." An interview with Yevgeny Shevchuk, President of the self-proclaimed Trans-Dniester Moldovan Republic.
42. Valdai Discussion Club: Viktor Litovkin, 20th anniversary of the Russian peacekeeping mission in South Ossetia: Hysterics in Tbilisi.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#139
1 August 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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Your source for news and analysis since 1996 In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Poll Shows Fewer Russians Complain About Hard Life.
2. Moscow TImes: Forget Batman. Russians Get Own Superheroes.
3. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring. What the Papers Say, August 1, 2012.
4. Nezavisimaya Gazeta editorial: Public Opinion Poll Views Dynamics of Putin's Popularity, Protest Mood.
5. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Commentator Views Past Russian Political Season's 'Main Results.' (Stanislav Belkovskiy)
6. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russians Expect Decline In Political Stability By Fall.
7. RIA Novosti: Putin Calls for Gradual Transfer of Power in Russia.
8. ITAR-TASS: Putin says no plans to suppress human rights work.
9. Interfax: White Ribbons "foreign Political Technologies" - Putin.
10. Interfax: Putin: Libel Law Unlikely to Be Used in Politics Very Much.
11. www.russiatoday.com: NGO law protects Russia from foreign influence- Putin.
12. Interfax: Putin Told That Pussy Riot Members Most Likely Being Punished For Protest Against Him.
13. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Kommersant: Russians support strict new laws. Surveys show that the majority of the population approve of tighter controls on speech in the name of security.
14. Moscow Times: Russians Increasingly Support Opposition Protests, Poll Says.
15. RIA Novosti: Pussy Riot Trial Reports Restricted.
16. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The Russian court decided to hold a punk trial in response to the punk prayer, the media believe.
17. Moscow Times: 2 Pro-Kremlin Officials Stand Up for Pussy Riot.
18. Interfax: Orthodox Priest: Pussy Riot Performance Threatens Disaster.
19. Moscow Times: Gyorgy Bovt, Why Putin Wants to Punish Pussy Riot.
20. www.russiatoday.com: Lidia Vasilevskaya, Inside Pussy Riot trial: Clash of beliefs, reality TV or just theater of absurd?
21. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The criminal case against oppositionist Navalny was changed for a harsher article: he is facing up to ten years in prison.
22. Vedomosti: TIMBER THIEF. THE INVESTIGATION BELIEVES THAT NAVALNY ORCHESTRATED THE THEFT OF 16 MILLION RUBLES WORTH OF TIMBER IN KIROV.
23. Wall Street Journal editorial: Enemies of Putin. Confident rulers don't typically persecute gadfly bloggers or punk groups with the name of 'Pussy Riot.'
24. www.russiatoday.com: Khodorkovsky to be released by fall 2012?
25. RBC Daily: IN CHARGE OF PROTESTS. NON-PARLIAMENTARY OPPOSITION IS TO BE HEADED BY A COORDINATING COUNCIL.
26. Moscow Times: Yulia Latynina, Middle Class Fleeing Putin's Russia.
27. New York Times: Masha Gessen, Should I Stay or Should I Go?
28. The National Interest: Sergey Markedonov, A New Terrorist Battleground. (re the North Caucasus and the Volga region)
29. Moscow Times: Marilyn Murray, You Shouldn't Count on Russian Avos for Success.
ECONOMY
30. Vedomosti: COST OF THE THIRD TERM OF OFFICE. VLADIMIR PUTIN'S PROMISES TO VOTERS WILL COST THE BUDGET 1.077 TRILLION RUBLES OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
31. Moscow Times: Economists Warn Central Bank on Over-Reaction.
32. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Felix Goryunov, WTO teaches Russia adaptation to global market rules. Despite questions about how WTO accession will affect Russian industries, ordinary consumers are likely to benefit.
33. Gazeta.ru editorial: A lion's share of gas. (re Gazprom)
34. RBC Daily: GOVERNOR'S DOZEN. THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY SUGGESTS THAT BUSINESSES BE ASKED TO EVALUATE GOVERNORS' PERFORMANCE.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
35. Interfax: U.S. lawmakers likely to restart debates on Jackson-Vanik amendments in 2013.
36. Moscow Times: Katrina Lantos Swett and Robert George, Russia's Failure to Protect Freedom of Religion.
37. Russia Beyond the Headlines: U.S. chops military deals with Russia. Congress doesn't want Russian-made choppers for Afghan security forces.
38. ITAR-TASS: Russian-US agreement on child adoptions to help clear away backlog of problems.
39. Valdai Discussion Club: Fyodor Lukyanov, Syria crisis: Russia is a global rather than regional player.
40. www.russiatoday.com: 'Democracy cannot be brought about from the outside.' (interview with Russian human rights envoy Konstantin Dolgov)
41. RBC Daily: STUDY AND RULE. Is the Kremlin really through with acting on a whim in the relations with neighbor states?
42. Gazeta.ru: Commentator Assesses Russia's Likely Future Role in Central Asia. (Fedor Lukyanov)
- Back to the Top -
2012-#138
31 July 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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Your source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Russians Most Worried By Housing, Not Democracy Or Rights - Poll.
2. Washington Post: At home or abroad Russia's heightened tension.
3. The Guardian editorial: Russia: Putin goes from the repressive to the absurd.
4. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, The Guardian Seriously Overestimates Vladimir Putin's Weakness and Vulnerability.
5. www.opendemocracy.net: Ekaterina Loushnikova, 'We've a war on here!'
6. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring. What the Papers Say, July 31, 2012.
7. Interfax: Putin explains what broad multiparty system is about.
8. Interfax: Russian Pundits See No Wow Factor In Medvedev's Presidential Ambition Comments.
9. Kommersant: Russians See Presidential Staff As Country's Main Decision-Making Body.
10. Moscow Times: Putin Appoints Outspoken Critic as Aide. (Sergei Glazyev)
11. Reuters: Putin foe charged, Russian opposition fear KGB tactics. (Alexei Navalny)
12. Novaya Gazeta: Navalnyy on His 'Campaign' Against Bastrykin, Prospect of Arrest.
13. Izvestia: Bastrykin Responds to Navalnyy Charges, Details Krymsk Actions.
14. RFE/RL: Brian Whitmore, Target: Bastrykin.
15. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The trial began over the Pussy Riot criminal case.
16. RIA Novosti: Pussy Riot Complain of 'Torture'
17. Wall Street Journal: Watchers Flock to Web for News in Russian Trial.
18. Interfax: Church Employee Says Pussy Riot Show Has Given Her "unceasing Pain"
19. Interfax: Most Russians Against Prison Sentence For Pussy Riot - Poll.
20. Interfax: Russians Divided On Defamation Becoming Criminal Offence Again - Poll.
21. Interfax: Most Russians Support New Website Blacklist Law - Poll.
22. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The law on the register of the banned websites entered into force.
23. Moscow Times: Nikolai Petrov, Gap Between Moscow and Regions Widens.
24. Izvestia: KUDRIN'S COMMITTEE. Civil Initiatives Committee is making preparations for October elections.
25. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Doctor Charged With Magnitskiy Death Interviewed. (Dmitriy Kratov)
26. Moscow News: Battling ignorance and saving lives. In three separate professions, Alexei Bobrik has found himself in a front-line position in public health in Russia.
ECONOMY
27. Moscow News: Food crisis looms. Hit hard by the heat, Russian grain may not be able to stabilize the market.
28. Financial Times: David Collins, Russia's accession reinforces WTO.
29. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: US Concerned Over Russian Trade Expansion After WTO Accession
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
30. Moscow Times: Putin Signs Pact to Ease Visa Rules With U.S.
31. Moscow Times: U.S. Report Critical of Religious Freedom in Russia.
32. The Hill: Business groups worry that Congress will leave Russia trade bill hanging.
33. Wall Street Journal editorial: The Russia Trade Pile-Up. Congress balks as Obama abandons his own proposal.
34. UPI.com: Edward Lozansky, Political equilibristic on Capitol Hill.
35. Reuters: Mitt Romney Attacks Russia In Speech In Poland.
36. Interfax: Lavrov denies Russia planning to set up naval base in Vietnam.
37. Xinhua 'Analysis': Russia-Japan Territorial Impasse Hard To Break.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#137
30 July 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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Your source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow News: First gold for Russia.
2. Interfax: Medvedev Lauds "British Atmosphere" of Olympics Opening Ceremony.
3. BBC Monitoring: Russian experts admire British self-deprecation in Olympics opening ceremony
4. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, July 30, 2012.
5. RIA Novosti: Medvedev Vows to Stay in Politics, May Run for President.
6. ITAR-TASS: Medvedev believes Internet best guarantee against totalitarianism.
7. ITAR-TASS: Russia PM certain RF civil society more mature that 4 years ago.
8. ITAR-TASS: Medvedev does not rule out correction of law on NGO.
9. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Russian media comment on the interview Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev gave to The Times.
10. www.russiatoday.com: Dmitry Medvedev gives interview to The Times newspaper (United Kingdom). (transcript)
11. Reuters: Russia's 'Pussy Riot' on trial for cathedral protest.
12. ITAR-TASS: Members of Pussy Riot punk group standing trial for hooliganism.
13. Washington Post editorial: A heavy hand in Russia.
14. Valdai Discussion Club: Alexei Malashenko, Russia does not have an Islam policy.
15. www.russiatoday.com: 'Repressive' libel punishments slammed.
16. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Controlling the observers. A new law on election monitors provokes debate among experts.
17. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Boris Mezhuev, Opposition doesn't view elections as the alternative. The Russian opposition seems to stubbornly refuse to take actions that could lead to actual election victories, but maybe there is a reason for this.
18. Interfax: Russia's Chief Investigator Denies Stories Of Business Interests Abroad.
19. Izvestia: Irina Khakamada Contends That Repression Cannot Quell Protest.
20. Moscow Times: Richard Lourie, Opposition Pushes Putin's Panic Button.
21. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Leader of protest movement summoned for questioning. (Navalny)
22. BBC Monitoring: Putin staff do not read prominent opposition activist's blog - Kremlin official. (Navalny)
23. www.russiatoday.com: Content containment: Russian blacklist of outlawed websites in force.
24. Interfax: Magnitsky's Death Could Have Been Caused By Stress, But Imprisonment Is Original Cause - Rights Activists.
25. Moscow TImes: Has the City Gotten Better for Foreign Tourists?
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
26. The TImes (UK): Dmitry Medvedev reaches out on global issues.
27. RIA Novosti: 'Everything's OK' in U.S.-Russian Relations Medvedev.
28. Moscow Times: Vladimir Frolov, What's Good for Putin Is Bad for Foreign Policy.
29. www.russiatoday.com: US Ambassador to Russia: Wrong to link co-operation with human rights. (interview)
30. Interfax: U.S. Ambassador Sees No Similarity Between Russian And U.S. Laws on Foreign Agents.
31. Blog by Ambassador McFaul: Reflections on My First Six Months as U.S. Ambassador to Russia.
32. Bloomberg: Romney's Russia Rhetoric May Backfire in Visit to Poland.
33. RIA Novosti: Russian, Western Differences on Syria Exaggerated Medvedev.
34. Izvestia: The People of Syria and Other Peoples. Philosopher Aleksandr Sekatskiy on Whether Russia Should Oppose American Messianism.
35. Moscow Times: Alexander Golts, Russia Shouldn't Shield Syria's Chemical Weapons.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#136
27 July 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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Your source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times: Modesty Masks Fierce Olympic Hopes for Russian Team.
2. RIA Novosti: Medvedev to Attend Olympic Opening Ceremony, Putin Due Later.
3. Kommersant: Most Russians Approve of Kremlin Making Decisions.
4. RIA Novosti: Marc Bennetts, A Purer Passion for Blood. Why Are There No Mass Shootings in Russia?
5. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Russia is on Track to Record Natural Population Growth in 2012.
6. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, July 27, 2012.
7. Moscow Times: Pressure Ratchets Up on Protesters.
8. Moscow News: An ill omen for the opposition. The controversial election in Kasimov may presage more United Russia victories.
9. Kommersant: FOREIGN DEPOSITS OF THE OFFICIALS WILL BE UPLOADED IN THE INTERNET.
10. New York Times: Putin Aide Said to Hold Secret Assets in Europe. (re Aleksei Navalny and Aleksandr Bastrykin)
11. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Russian police poised for new reform. Interior Ministry officials and experts alike agree that the previous reforms were not enough.
12. Moscow Times: Medvedev Makes It Big on Twitter.
13. RIA Novosti: Russian Government Gets Twitter Account.
14. Reuters: Analysis: Fight over Islam, money and power brings violence to Volga.
15. Interfax: Russians criticized the current situation in the North Caucasus.
16. The Economist: Russian opposition. Punk prayer. A feminist punk band on trial.
17. Moscow Times: Michael Bohm, Curing Russia's Xenophobia.
18. Interfax: Russian Parliamentarians Hit Back At US Criticism Of NGO Bill.
19. Russian Legal Information Agency: "Foreign agents" under Russia's NGO Law and its US doppelganger.
ECONOMY
20. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Russia's Economic Growth In Comparison With The G7.
21. Vedomosti: Economists Urge Medvedev to Revise Three-Year Budget.
22. Moscow News: Rosneft aims for global reach. Sechin makes a bid to create a new oil industry behemoth through talks on buying TNK-BP.
23. Moscow Times: Q&A: Malykhina Earned First $1M After Year in U.S.
24. The Independent (UK): An airing for Russia's dirty laundry. British court case will give an insight into the post-Soviet carve-up.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
25. RIA Novosti: Half of Russia Sees Foreign Meddling in Syrian Conflict.
26. Bloomberg: Charlie Rose Talks to Vitaly Churkin. (re Syria)
27. Argumenty Nedeli; Russian Expert Sees Much Bloodshed if al-Qa'ida Comes to Power in Syria. (Boris Dolgov)
28. Time.com: Simon Shuster, Russia and Syria's Assad: The End of the Affair? It has become clear to many officials in Moscow that the Assad regime cannot restore the pre-rebellion status quo in Syria, forcing them to consider backing away from a longtime client.
29. Bloomberg: Congress Likely to Delay Russian Trade Bill for a Month.
30. Interfax: Campaigners' Letter Requesting Explanation Whether They Are U.S. Agents Referred to White House.
31. www.russiatoday.com: Polarizing proposal: Bye-bye 'Arctic' Ocean, welcome 'Russian'
32. Bloomberg: Russia Seeks Naval Supply Bases in Cold War Allies Cuba, Vietnam.
33. Da Russophile: Anatoly Karlin, Chinese Netizens Praise Russian Democracy, Accountability.
34. Reuters: Ukraine parliament to reconvene, language bill in focus.
35. Voice of America: James Brooke, Linguistic Future: Ukrainians Who Do Not Speak Russian?
36. The Economist: Violence in Tajikistan. The strongman cometh. Drugs, as well as politics, are behind the fighting in a remote region.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#135
26 July 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Business New Europe: Poll: Putin's popularity rating goes up in Russia while Moscow is skeptical.
2. Business New Europe/Troika: August: So often a game changer.
3. Moscow News: Russia ready for London.
4. Reuters: PREVIEW-Olympics-Russia sets modest goal at "transition Games"
5. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, July 26, 2012.
6. Moscow Times: Media Landscape Shifts With Putin's Return.
7. ITAR-TASS: Russians mistrust television to larger extent.
8. Moscow Times: Dmitry Travin, Only Low Oil Prices Will Oust Putin.
9. Kommersant: Russians Ready To Snitch on Websites Posting Harmful Information.
10. Moscow Times: Grigory Melkonyants, The Kremlin Wants to Mute Our Golos.
11. Interfax: Rights Campaigners Say They Won't Be "foreign Agents" Despite Justice Ministry Warning.
12. www.russiatoday.com: 'Total hysteria': MPs blast NGO reaction to foreign agent law.
13. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The new law on volunteers may encroach on civil activities in the society.
14. Bloomberg: Russian Billionaire Sees Jail Risk as Putin Smothers Dissent. (Alexander Lebedev)
15. Moscow News: Short-barreled arms legalization proposed by senator.
16. New York Times: From Russian Health Official, Food Criticism With a Dash of Politics.
17. Andrei Zolotov, Jr.: Russia Profile to Merge With RIA Novosti's English Service.
ECONOMY
18. Kommersant: GDP EVALUATION. THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY KEEPS SAYING THAT GDP GROWTH WILL ACCELERATE IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2012.
19. Vedomosti editorial: DOWNHILL. Devaluation of the ruble continues and so does withdrawal of capitals from the country.
20. Interfax: Russia's Business Ombudsman Predicts Right Liberal Turn In Country's Politics. (Boris Titov)
21. Vedomosti: TITOV'S UNIT. BUSINESS OMBUDSMAN BORIS TITOV EXPECTS TO BE GIVEN A SIZEABLE APPARAT AND BROAD POWERS.
22. Rossiyskaya Gazeta; Impact of Russia's WTO Accession on Agriculture, Economy, Analyzed. (Igor Yurgens)
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
23. www.russiatoday.com: Putin pushes nuclear, space defense reform.
24. www.russiatoday.com: Russia ready to host talks between Syrian government and opposition.
25. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Syrian conflict enters a new phase: stagnation. Guerilla tactics on the part of the opposition and discussion over the country's chemical weapons indicates that the conflict is likely to drag on.
26. Valdai Discussion Club: Vladimir Yevseyev, Presence of Russian warships near Syria is a powerful deterrent.
27. Interfax: Russian Human Rights Activists Seek To Involve Obama In NGO Controversy.
28. Interfax: US Magnitskiy Bill Said 'Counterproductive', Russian Reaction Will Be 'Harsh'
29. Kommersant: Pentagon Withdraws Missile Defense Invitation from Russia.
30. Moscow Times: Anders Aslund, Why Moldova Has Turned Its Back on Russia.
31. RIA Novosti: Fyodor Lukyanov, Who Will Take Care of Central Asia?
LONG ITEM
32. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Andrew Monaghan, The End of the Putin Era?
- Back to the Top -
Johnson's Russia List
2012-#134
24 July 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Preparations must begin for land privatization - Medvedev.
2. Moscow News: Who'll stop the brain drain? Enticing Russian professionals to stay in the country is a priority and a challenge.
3. Moscow News: A shot of history. For Alexander Nikishin, vodka is not about getting drunk it is about Russia.
4. The Japan Times: Andrey Borodaevskiy, Place names defy tradition, distressing the Russian spirit.
5. Moscow Times/BBC Montoring: What the Papers Say, July 24, 2012.
6. Vedomosti editorial: PEOPLE TO BE BROUGHT TO ANSWER. Aftermath of the tragedy in Krymsk: scapegoats chosen and thrown to the wolves.
7. Moscow News: Media bill controversy. A proposal to label media outlets 'foreign agents' has an unlikely critic the Kremlin.
8. Moscow Times: Election Observers Condemn Local Vote.
9. RIA Novostei: Russian Pundits Say Vote In Ryazan Region Points To Return Of 'Real Politics'
10. Vedomosti: BETWEEN THE RUSSIANS AND MOSCOW. Analysis of revived direct gubernatorial elections.
11. Vedomosti editorial: Putin Losing Popularity In Moscow.
12. Moscow Times: Vladimir Ryzhkov, United Russia Gets a Little Help From Its Friends.
13. Moscow News: Helping hands. Volunteer movements in Russia have a long history and an uncertain future.
14. Moscow News editorial: Judicial reform needed now.
15. Vedomosti: Aleksei Levinson, RAGE AT OUT-OF-TOWNERS. RAGE AT FOREIGNERS IS A COROLLARY OF THE RUSSIANS' FRUSTRATION WITH THEIR OWN BUREAUCRACY.
16. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Editorial on Ethnic Conflict in Russia.
17. ITAR-TASS: Russians mistrust television to larger extent.
18. Moscow Times: Alexei Pankin, A Soviet Manager Will Save Public TV.
19. Moscow TImes: Christopher Brennan, Bringing Art, Politics Together for Curators.
ECONOMY
20. Interfax: Medvedev concerned by Russia's low ranking for doing business.
21. Vedomosti editorial: Budget Cuts, Sequestration, Inevitable in Russia's Economy.
22. Vedomosti: MONTH BEFORE WTO. RUSSIA WILL BECOME A FULL-FLEDGED WTO MEMBER ON AUGUST 23.
23. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Impact of Impending WTO Membership on Russia's Economy Examined. (Interview with Maksim Medvedkov)
24. Moscow Times: Ombudsman Titov Raises Hackles at His Ufa Opening.
25. Russia Beyond the Headlines/RBC Daily: Russian officials will spend by the rules. In order to make government spending more efficient, the Ministry of Finance has proposed new punishments for violating budget rules.
26. Reuters: Rosneft to talk to BP about buying TNK-BP stake.
27. Reuters: Putin pushes southern gas export pipeline.
28. Huffington Post: Kambiz Behi and Daniel Wagner, Russia's Growing Economic Influence in Europe and Beyond.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
29. East Asia Forum: Artyom Lukin, Russia: between the US and China.
30. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Eugene Ivanov, What foreign policy do Russians want? The more Russians question the country's leadership, the more aggressive a foreign policy they are likely to pursue.
31. Reuters: Putin urges Syria talks, signals no shift.
32. www.russiatoday.com: Putin: Non-stop civil war if Assad ousted.
33. Interfax: Russian pundit thinks Syria may contact USA over security of chemical weapons.
34. The New Republic: Julia Ioffe, In Russia, Even Putin's Critics Are OK With His Syria Policy.
35. www.america-russia.net: Patrick Armstrong, Syria, Russia, Hysteria.
36. The Hill: Sergey Kislyak, Don't let Cold War thinking chill progress on trade.
37. www.russiatoday.com: Sergey Strokan, Post-Soviet Central Asia: A bone of contention for Russia, US and China.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#133
23 July 2012
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Your source for news and analysis since 1996 In this issue
POLITICS
1. Sunday Times (UK): Putin gives Russia team Kremlin send-off.
2. Kremlin.ru: Meeting with members of Russia's Olympic team.
3. RFE/RL: Olympic Medalists Set To Cash In At London 2012.
4. www.russiatoday.com: London Olympics perfect training ground for Sochi 2014 volunteers.
5. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, July 23, 2012.
6. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Arrests of local official begin in Krymsk.
7. Russia Profile: The Ones to Blame. Punishing Officials for the Krymsk Flooding Is Unlikely to Win Public Support.
8. RIA Novosti: Duma May Ban Govt Officials from Holding Foreign Bank Accounts.
9. Moscow Times: Alexeyeva Takes Aim at Putin on Her Birthday.
10. Interfax: Russia Will Become Truly Democratic No Earlier Than in 5-10 Years - Alexeyeva.
11. Moskovsky Komsomolets: Police Admonished for Brutality on Bolotnaya Square, Ministry Admits Guilt.
12. ITAR-TASS: Tatarstan's mufti and his deputy paid a price for their anti-Wahhabi efforts
13. Izvestia: ASSISTANT MUFTY FOUGHT THE WAHHABI. TERRORIST ACTS IN TATARSTAN AIMED TO DESTABILIZE THE REPUBLIC.
14. RFE/RL: One Chechen's Cry From A Russian Jail -- 'Do These People Have Hearts?'
15. Reuters: Putin will not testify at Pussy Riot trial-court.
16. BBC Monitoring: Russian state TV passes 'final' verdict on punk band awaiting trial.
17. Vedomosti: RYZHKOV'S TICKET. Vladimir Ryzhkov will participate in regional elections come autumn.
18. Moscow Times: Victor Davidoff, Putin's Recipe for Disaster.
19. Interfax: Major Russian Rights Group Refuses to Comply With New NGO Law.
20. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Moskovskiye Novosti: Rostislav Vylegzhanin, The Law on NGOs might be good for civil society. The adoption of the amendments to the NGOs law classifying some NGOs that receive funding from abroad as "foreign agents"could have consequences that neither the president nor the NGOs anticipate, namely, development of civil society in the country.
21. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Russia's New NGO Law is Unjustified, Unnecessary, Self-Defeating, and Generally a Really Bad Idea.
22. www.russiatoday.com: Robert Bridge, Russia's 'foreign agents' law: no Bond thriller.
23. www.gazeta.ru editorial: Abolish civic society.
24. Moscow Times: David Kramer and Lilia Shevtsova, Civil Society Is the Kremlin's Worst Nightmare.
25. Valdai Discussion Club: Valdai Discussion Club presents a new analytical report "Military Reform: Toward the New Look of the Russian Army"
ECONOMY
26. Moscow Times: Putin's Economic Council Meets.
27. RBC Daily: PUTIN WEIGHED RISKS. PRESIDENT PUTIN MET WITH THE ECONOMIC COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE FORTHCOMING CRISIS.
28. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Finance Ministry Urges 20% Cut in Defense Spending.
29. Interfax: Unemployment in Russia varies between less than 1% in Moscow and 48% in Ingushetia.
30. Washington Post: Euro crisis forces change on Russia.
31. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. 800 billion dollars moved to offshore zones from Russia in 20 years.
32. Interfax: Removing Capital From Russia Not a Crime - Ignatyev.
33. Transitions Online: The Rise and Fall of a Russian Energy Baron. The formidable duo of Putin and Sechin take aim at powerful energy clans. But whose interests are they really defending?. (re Magomed Kaitov)
34. Forbes.com: Kenneth Rapoza, Russia: Pass Or Play?
35. Der Spiegel: Blood and Money. A Hedge Fund Manager's Crusade against Putin. (re William Browder)
36. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Russia is Not Falling Behind the West.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
37. RIA Novosti: Medvedev Calls for Faster Rearmament.
38. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Counterbalancing the "humanitarian aid" doctrine. The long-lasting confrontation at the UN on Syria highlights the fundamental differences on the world order between Russia and China on the one side and the West on the other.
39. BBC Monitoring: Russia doomed to lose from its position on Syria, pundit says. (Aleksandr Shumilin)
40. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV shows 'exclusive report' from Syria-Turkey border.
41. Washington Post obiturary: Gregory Guroff, foundation president.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#132
20 July 2012
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, July 20, 2012.
2. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Vladimir Putin meets leaders of Duma factions.
3. Interfax: Putin Says Liberalization Must Not Encourage 'Destructive Forces'
4. Kommersant: TRUE DEAR COMRADES WENT. Expected questions for the President of the leaders of the factions successfully replaced the original.
5. Kremlin.ru: Meeting with State Duma party faction leaders.
6. Kommersant: State Duma Opposition Seen Remaining Kremlin's Law-Making Tool.
7. The Economist: Russian politics. If you can't suppress them, squeeze them. The Kremlin is building the legal framework for authoritarian rule.
8. The Economist editorial: Russia. The empty Kremlin. Vladimir Putin's regime has run out of ideas, but not of nasty tactics.
9. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Russian Pundit Blames Opposition for Kremlin Clamp-Down. (Leonid Radzikhovskiy)
10. AP: Russian prosecutors say 5 suspects in killing of Muslim cleric, wounding another, detained.
11. Moscow Times: In a First, Muslim Leaders Attacked in Tatarstan.
12. RFE/RL: Tatarstan Attacks Spark Fears That Islamist Threat Is Spreading.
13. ITAR-TASS: Foreign-funded mass media might share foreign agent status with foreign-sponsored NGOs.
14. Moscow Times: Michael Bohm, United Russia's Spy Mania.
15. BBC Monitoring: Russian media's freedom falling prey to political pressure - former radio head. (Dmitriy Solopov)
16. Moscow News: Occupy Seliger. The pro-Kremlin youth forum offers an olive branch (of sorts) to the opposition.
17. Valdai Discussion Club: Olga Kryshtanovskaya, The sociological dimension of the protest movement in Russia.
18. Moscow Times: Q&A: Alexeyeva Lives Golden Years and the Golden Rule.
19. RIA Novosti: Court Extends Pussy Riot Custody until 2013.
20. Moscow TImes: John Freedman, Pussy Riot Women Have Look of Purpose in Their Eyes.
21. www.russiatoday.com: Major civil rights group appeals ban on work in Russia. (Russian Justice Initiative)
ECONOMY
22. Interfax: Calls on Russia to liberalize energy sector excessive - Putin.
23. Moscow News: WTO a mixed blessing. Russia's accession to the trade body may result in cheaper goods, but not for a while yet.
24. Moscow Times: Alternative to Bank Privatizations Found.
25. Expert: Vladimir Yakunin, Corporate Standards of the Finance Oligarchy. Threats to Positive Global Transformations.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
26. Gazeta.ru: Mideast Situation Rife for 'Cataclysm.' (Fedor Lukyanov)
27. RIA Novosti: Russia Slams West Over Syria Allegations.
28. Bloomberg: Russia Could Lose Last Arab Ally as Assad Regime Teeters.
29. ITAR-TASS: Russia-NATO discussion of missile defence gains positive character.
30. ITAR-TASS: RF, NATO approach launch of transit via Ulyanovsk.
31. AFP: US lawmakers vote to scrap Pentagon Russia contract.
32. The Economist: Visa sanctions. Face control. Asset freezes and visa bans give rich countries useful weapons against wrongdoers. Campaigners want them used. (Magnitsky act)
33. The National Interest : Mark Adomanis, When Human-Rights Legislation Goes Wrong.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#131
19 July 2012
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Christian Science Monitor: Fred Weir, Got an appointment with Vladimir Putin? Better bring a book. It doesn't matter if you're a business leader, a prime minister, royalty, or even the pope: Russian President Vladimir Putin keeps everyone waiting, sometimes for hours.
1a. Russia Profile: Coming Unhinged. Medvedev's Legacy of Reform Is Coming Apart.
2. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, July 19, 2012.
3. Interfax: Putin Sets Tasks Before Russian Security Agencies.
4. RIA Novosti: Putin Says Heads to Roll Over Slow Flood Warning.
5. Osobaya Bukva: Media Seen Ignoring Medvedev, Criticizing Putin.
6. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Russia's Federation Council approves laws stirring public debate.
7. Moscow Times: Deputy Says NGO Bill Has Strict Limits.
8. Interfax: Most Russians, Especially Communist Party Supporters, Approve Of NGO Law - Poll.
9. Interfax: One Russia MP Proposes Bill Branding Some Media Outlets 'Foreign Agents'
10. www.russiatoday.com: 'Foreign agents' bill may target all Russians, critics say.
11. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. President approves members of public television supervisory board.
12. BBC Monitoring: Russian politicians, journalists contemplate political change in talk show.
13. RIA Novosti: Konstantin von Eggert, Volunteers on Center Stage.
14, Russia Beyond the Headlines: New parties will participate in this fall's regional elections. Russia's political landscape will show its new colors in October, when local elections are held for the first time since major election reforms were passed.
15. RBC Daily: PARTY BUSINESS. NEW POLITICAL PARTIES EXPECT OFFICES AND FUNDING FROM THE STATE.
16. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: 'Yabloko' Oppositionist Yavlinskiy on Protest Movement, What Is Needed.
17. Politkom.ru: Just Russia's Ponomarev Interviewed on Protest Movement.
18. Russia Profile: Catch Me If You Can. Intimidation-for-Hire and Disclosure of Private Information Makes Russians Feel Someone Is Always Watching.
19. Fair Observer: Gordon Hahn, Global Jihadism Comes to Russia's North Caucasus.
20. AP: Top Muslim cleric shot dead in Russia's Tatarstan.
ECONOMY
21. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Defense spending to grow, education and healthcare to face cuts.
22. Vedomosti: MEDVEDEV'S DEFENSE. THE CABINET: THE FINANCE MINISTRY OBJECTS TO BUDGET COSTS AND INSISTS ON AUSTERITY POLICY.
23. Interfax: Russia Will Defend Its Markets as WTO Member - Medvedev.
24. Moscow Times: Peter Mandelson, How Russia Can Reap Benefits From WTO.
25. Chatham House: John Lough, Russian Energy: Struggle for Control.
26. www.truthandbeauty.ru: Eric Kraus, Myth Busters Part I: Russia.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
27. ITAR-TASS: RF, US presidents did not discuss Assad future.
28. BBC Monitoring: Russian pundit says Libyan vote results highlight erroneous position on Syria. (Aleksandr Shumilin)
29. Financial Times: Zaki Laidi, Russia's concern is to deny victory to the west.
30. Reuters: US Senate panel approves Russia trade, rights bill.
31. Wall Street Journale editorial: Republicans and Russia. The House would help Putin if it kills a trade bill.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#130
18 July 2012
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, July 18, 2012.
2. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Putin helds first meeting of renewed State Council.
3. Interfax: Putin Demands Review of Criteria to Assess Local Govt Performance.
4. Russia Profile: Open Arms, Not Open Minds. The Kremlin Gives Official Opposition Another Reason to Smile.
5. Kommersant: PUTIN AND GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS. PRESIDENT PUTIN WILL MEET WITH LEADERS OF PARLIAMENTARY POLITICAL PARTIES, TOMORROW.
6. www.russiatoday.com: No one is sacred: Russia's prosecutors could be entitled to investigate elites.
7. Interfax: United Russia Has No Plans to Force "foreign Agent" Status on Mass Media.
8. Reuters: Russian parliament passes NGO "foreign agents" law.
9. Moscow Times: Georgy Bovt, A Harmful Law Against the Internet.
10. Kommersant: The Moscow Protest Movement Has Changed Leaders. But Russians Do Not Know Them.
11. RFE/RL: Spy Vs. Spy: Wiretapping On The Increase In Russia.
ECONOMY
12. Moscow Times: Putin Says Wealth Gap is Unacceptable.
13. Gazeta.ru editorial: Poor transferred to private hands.
14. Interfax: Russia Must Create Conditions to Develop Small, Medium Businesses - Putin.
15. Interfax: Nearly Third of Russian Govt Decisions Bad For Investment Climate - Medvedev.
16. AFP: Russia WTO membership passes final legislative hurdle.
17. Kommersant: SOCIAL EXPENSES AND BUDGET. THE GOVERNMENT IS STILL LOOKING FOR THE FINANCES NEEDED TO ENABLE IT TO KEEP ITS PROMISES TO THE RUSSIANS.
18. Moscow Times/Reuters: Government Faces Battle Over Spending.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
19. ITAR-TASS: Measures towards easing up foreigners' traveling mulled in Russia.
20. RIA Novosti: Russia Says West's UN Syria Resolution Supports Rebels.
21. Christian Science Monitor: Russia and the West lock horns over Syria.
22. BBC Monitoring: Russia's stance on Syria 'detached from reality', pundit says. (Georgiy Mirskiy)
23. Reuters: Cautious partners Turkey, Russia to talk ties, rivalries.
24. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Iran may punish Russia for $ 4 billion.
25. Reuters: Q+A-Details of U.S. Senate bill on trade with Russia.
26. New York Times: In Trade Deal With Russia, U.S. Plans Sanctions for Human Rights Abuses.
27. Washington Post: U.S., Russia try to reset and retrench relations, but Magnitsky bill threatens process.
28. www.russiablog.org: Edward Lozansky, Magnitsky Act as a Test for American Democracy.
29. Moscow Times: U.S. Cultural Tip: Don't Wear a Speedo. Ever. At a pre-departure orientation for high school students going to the U.S. on the FLEX program, the participating teens received a jarring crash course on how Americans live.
30. Nezavisimaya Gazeta editorial: STALLED POST-SOVIET INTEGRATION. MOSCOW IS SHORT OF IDEAS TO STIMULATE POST-SOVIET INTEGRATION.
31. Moscow Times: Alexander Golts, The Collapsing CSTO.
32. www.opendemocracy.net: George Hewitt, Abkhazia, from conflict to statehood.
- Back to the Top -
Johnson's Russia List
2012-#129
17 July 2012
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times: Russia Predicted to Place 3rd at Olympics.
1a. Izvestia: Putin to Attend Judo Contests, Medvedev Tells Athletes Not to "Fool Around" in London.
2. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Russian beach books to transport you to new horizons. Dostoyevsky seems like a handful on the beach. As an alternative, Phoebe Taplin offers her recommendations of hot Russian authors to assist you in summer escapism.
3. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, July 17, 2012.
4. ITAR-TASS: Putin urges State Council to focus on increasing people's incomes.
5. RBC Daily: KREMLIN TO EMBRACE OPPOSITION. THE PRESIDENT WANTS HIS IDEOLOGICAL ENEMIES AT THE STATE COUNCIL.
6. www.russiatoday.com: Putin has final say on governors' performance.
7. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: CONTROL OVER OVERSIGHT. SENIOR FUNCTIONARIES MIGHT LOSE THEIR STATUS OF THE UNTOUCHABLE.
8. RIA Novosti: Putin Slams Officials for Poor Performance over Floods.
9. ITAR-TASS: Restoration works under way in southern Russia, people blame authorities.
10. Russia Profile: Wimpy Waltz with the Kremlin. Are Russian Opposition Parties Toothless Bulldogs?
11. Moscow Times: United Russia Wants to Extend 'Foreign Agent' Label to Media.
12. Moscow News: Shutting down 'slanderers'
13. Moscow Times: NGO Bill to Impact Business Groups.
14. Interfax: Pavlyuchenkov Charged With Complicity in Politkovskaya Murder.
15. RIA Novosti: Russian Ex Finance Minister Launches Project For Budding Politicians. (Kudrin)
16. Moscow Times: Nikolai Petrov, Don't Expect an October Revolution.
17. Jamestown Foundation Eurasia Daily Monitor: Pavel Baev, Putin's Counter-Reform Props up His Dysfunctional Regime by Amplifying Uncertainty.
18. Moscow Times: Vladivostok Ponders Whether a $1Bln Bridge Makes a City.
ECONOMY
19. Interfax: Putin Vows Privatizations Will Go Ahead.
20. Troika Dialog: Chris Weafer, Russia in Context: Rotating Between Hope and Reality.
21. Moscow News: Report calls for better governance. Analysts differ on the timing of corporate reforms while the global economy is in a tailspin.
22. www.russiatoday.com: Gazprom is #2 in Forbes list of energy firms.
23. Moscow News: Skolkovo's trickle-down effect. The gleaming innovation hub, currently an island of modernization, aims to set an example for the rest of Russia.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
24. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Putin's Foreign Policy Season, Priorities Reviewed. (Oleg Bondarenko)
25. Valdai Discussion Club: Sergei Oznobishchev, The more Russia and NATO need each other, the better.
26. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: RUSSIA AND KOFI ANNAN. MOSCOW CONDEMNS THE WEST FOR HYPOCRISY AND BLACKMAIL.
27. Council on Foreign Relations: Why Russia Won't Yield on Syria. Interview with Dimitri Simes.
28. The American Interest: David Kramer and Lilia Shevtsova, Why Russia Doesn't Hold the Keys to Syria. The West may be using the Kremlin's intransigence as an excuse to do nothing.
29. Interfax: Russian senate committee recommends ratification of liberal visa agreement with U.S.
30. RIA Novosti: Moscow to Continue 'Magnitsky Work' with U.S.
31. Russia: Other Points of View: Gordon Hahn, KILLING THE 'RESET', ONE BIASED ARTICLE AT A TIME.
32. www.foreignpolicy.com: Michael Weiss, Putin's Got America Right Where He Wants It. And that's bad news for Obama.
- Back to the Top -
Johnson's Russia List
2012-#128
16 July 2012
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: Medvedev: Russian Athletes Mustn't 'Fool Around' in London.
2. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, July 16, 2012.
3. Vedomosti: PUTIN'S STRATEGISTS. An economic Council, the core of which will be formed by authoritative scientists-economists, is being created under President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin says that it will not duplicate the government and Dmitry Medvedev's Expert Council.
4. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Political Reform Dries Up in Duma.
5. Interfax: Number of Russians Dissatisfied With Corruption Reaches Maximum Since 1999 - Poll.
6. Profil: THE BOTTOM CANNOT AND THE TOPS DO NOT WANT. "There are no laws which can help in the fight against corruption in Russia," said economist Sergei Aleksashenko.
7. Moscow Times: Political Opposition Sees Hope in a Small Ryazan Town.
8. Moscow Times: Ruling Party Plans Applying 'Foreign Agents' Label to Media.
9. Izvestia: DEPUTIES WILL TURN MASS MEDIA INTO "FOREIGN AGENTS", TOO.
10. BBC Monitoring: Russian opposition, journalists condemn new libel law.
11. ITAR-TASS: Laws on rallies, NGO, libel need correction-human rights official. (Mikhail Fedotov)
12. Reuters: Russia floods spur calls for emergency warnings.
13. Moscow News: More help needed for flood-stricken area.
14. New York Times: Russia, Shifting From Soviet Ways, Hesitantly Welcomes Volunteers in Flood Zone.
15. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Volunteers to be taken under control.
16. RIA Novoseti: Russian Volunteers Suspicious of New Regulations.
17. Vedomosti editorial: AND NOW THE VOLUNTEERS. In the autumn session the state Duma "will deal" with volunteers.
18. Moscow Times: Sam Greene, Runet Must Be 'Net Neutral'
19. BBC Monitoring: Russian human rights ombudsman on new laws, Khodorkovskiy, Magnitskiy. (Vladimir Lukin)
20. Izvestia: Russian Pundit Outlines Shortcomings in State Policy Towards Opposition Movement. (Boris Mezhuyev)
21. BBC Monitoring: Nearly half of Russia's Far East unhappy about lack of prospects - poll.
22. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Ogoniok: Mikhail Denisenko, How to help migrants integrate in Russia's society. Diasporas help them survive, but not integrate into Russian society.
23. Russia Profile: On a Personal Note. Editorial Comment by Russia Profile Staff. This week, both Tai Adelaja and Dan Peleschuk wonder if Russia is heading straight back to its Soviet period, albeit for different reasons.
24. www.opendemocracy.net: Kirill Rogov, The limits of Putin's power.
25. Moscow Times: Pavel Felgenhauer, Putin vs. the People.
26. AFP: Russia accused of sabotaging probe into murder of human rights activist. (re Natalya Estemirova)
27. Wall Street Journal: Jonathan Earle, Romanovs' Fate Revealed.
ECONOMY
28. Moscow Times: Most Russians Fear New Economic Downturn, Poll Says.
29. Business New Europe: Ben Aris, Lucas paradox redux.
30. Moscow Times: Cabinet Tweaking Agricultural Subsidies Under WTO.
31. Financial Times: In search of fresh standards. (re business schools)
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
32. RIA Novosti: Russia Builds Up Online Diplomacy.
33. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Kommersant FM: Moscow wants to go visa-free. A proposal would allow foreigners to visit the Russian capital for three days without a visa.
34. Svobodnaya Pressa: Russian Pundits Comment on Elite's 'Contradictory' Policy Toward NATO Countries.
35. RFE/RL: U.S. Congressmen Unmoved By Russian Visit To Protest Magnitsky Bill.
36. Moscow TImes letter: Andranik Migranyan, Russian NGO in U.S. Is Not a Kremlin Outfit.
37. Bloomberg: Russia Calls for Immediate Syrian Cease-Fire, Troop Pullout.
38. www.russiatoday.com: West inviting civil war in Syria - Lavrov.
39. BBC Monitoring: Russian pundit, MP comment on Russia-Saudi Arabia spat over human rights.
40. ITAR-TASS: Russia's CSTO partners want more money for Russian military bases.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#127
13 July 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Reuters: Russia ponders the future of its capital.
2. Moscow TImes/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, July 13, 2012.
3. RBC Daily: TIRED OF CORRUPTION. Every third respondent considers corruption to be the main problem of the government.
4. Interfax: Russian Media Is Free, But Professionalism Is Falling - Poll.
5. Interfax: Most Russians Not Ready To Protest - Poll.
6. Moscow News: Silencing the opposition?
7. Christian Science Monitor: Russian crackdown on dissent goes virtual. In its most recent attempt to quell dissent, Russia adopted a new Internet bill that appears aimed at restricting public debate.
8. AP: Russian parliament passes restrictions on NGOs.
9. Moscow Times: United Russia Stands By NGO Bill.
10. Interfax: Bill on foreign agent NGOs will broaden split in Russian society - MP Ponomaryov.
11. Moscow News editorial: Creating new Robin Hoods.
12. www.russiatoday.com: Veronika Krasheninnikova, West's battle for Russian 'hearts and minds': NGOs on steroids.
13. Moscow News: A hard rain in south Russia. Catastrophic alienation' between residents and officials is revealed in flooded Krymsk.
14. Interfax: Russian Senate Speaker Predicts Drop In Protest Moods, Slams Magnitskiy Bill . (Valentina Matviyenko)
15. Interfax: Russians Split Over Punishment To Punk Band - Poll.
16. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Moscow City Prosecutor's Office has submitted materials of a criminal case of the Pussy Riot group.
17. Transitions Online: Sofia Lotto Persio, Highway to Jail: Musicians Against Putin's Russia. Feminist punk band Pussy Riot is only the latest in a growing list of rockers feeling the wrath of the authorities.
18. Interfax: After three years human rights activist Estemirova killing remains unsolved.
19: Moscow News: Parenting triumphs and disasters. Russian mothers are moving away from Soviet-style parenting but ought to learn more from their French counterparts.
ECONOMY
20. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Izvesita: Experts warn of new economic crisis. Analysts say that Russia can survive a new economic crisis, but the government must take steps now to prepare the country.
21. The Economist: Innovation in Russia. Can Russia create a new Silicon Valley? Sergey Brin is still in California.
22. The Economist: Industry in Russia. Lurching into the fast lane. Russia is about to join the World Trade Organisation. Can its industry cope?
23. The Economist editorial: Russia's economy and the World Trade Organisation. A chance to get down to business. Does Vladimir Putin really want Russia to be a less terrible place to do business? We will now find out.
24. Moscow News: Lift the corporate governance game.
25. Wall Street Journal: Another EU to the East?
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
26. Moscow News: Panel get rid of visas. The Moscow News' debate on changing Russia's image abroad raised the issue of official accountability as well as amending the visa regime.
27. Interfax: Moscow insists on legal guarantees that European missile shield not targeted against it - diplomat.
28. Interfax: Russia convinced original CFE Treaty is outdated.
29. Novye Izvestia: RUSSIAN SENATORS VOICED THEIR VERSION OF "THE MAGNITSKY CASE" IN THE UNITED STATES.
30. RIA Novosti: Russian Lawmakers Warn of Retaliation Over Magnitsky List.
31. Russia Profile Weekly Experts Panel: The Magnitsky Act. Introduced by Vladimir Frolov. Contributors: Vladimir Belaeff, Dale Herspring, Eric Kraus, Edward Lozansky, Vlad Sobell.
32. Reuters: US House vote on Russia trade bill in doubt.
33. Reuters: Russia urges Annan to work with Syrian opposition.
34. RIA Novosti: No Helicopters on Board Ships to Syria - Rosoboronexport.
35. Wall Street Journal Europe: inna Lazareva, Russia's Support for Assad Will Backfire. Whether the Syrian dictator stays or goes, the Kremlin is risking an economic and diplomatic catastrophe.
36. www.russiatoday.com: Russia, Ukraine hammer out historic strategic partnership.
37. www.russiatoday.com: Fyodor Lukyanov, Between pride and rationality. (re Russia and Ukraine)
- Back to the Top -
2012-#126
12 July 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times/BBC Moitoring: What the Papers Say, July 12, 2012.
2. AP: AP-GfK poll: Almost all Russians see drug abuse as a top problem as Afghan heroin floods in.
3. Moscow Times: Concern Over Corruption Highest Since 1999, Poll Says.
4. The Guardian: Alexander Lebedev launches new project against Russian corruption. Oligarch to present Vladimir Putin with debit card, in move that comes as Kremlin tightens screw on internet dissenters.
5. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: CONSOLIDATION AROUND THE NUT. In anticipation of the mass protests, the Duma is hurriedly tightening legislation.
6. Moscow Times: Internet Restriction Bill Flies Through Duma.
7. RIA Novosti: Council of Europe Compares Russia NGO Bill to Stalin Terror.
8. ITAR-TASS: Russia's Internet community fears possible censorship of the net.
9. Gazeta.ru: Deputies Think Better of Quarreling with Internet Community.
10. Financial Times: Foreign-backed Russian NGOs targeted.
11. BBC Monitoring: Russia Today TV falls into 'foreign agent' group under NGO bill, says editor.
12. Moscow TImes: Michael Bohm, Looking for Foreign Agents in All the Wrong Places.
13. Moscow TImes: Twitter and Flood Unite Warring Political Sides.
14. RIA Novosti: Russia's Rescuers Defend Handling of Deadly Flood.
15. RIA Novosti: Konstantin von Eggert, Political Aspects of Russian Floods.
16. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Eugene Ivanov, The Drought of Trust. Maybe the government is not to blame for the recent floods in Krasnodar, but they certainly don't deserve praise either.
17. Moscow News: New political parties springing up like mushrooms.
18. Moscow News: Opposition announces new Hot July rally.
19. Moskovsky Komsomolets: WHAT DOES THE OPPOSITION WANT - TO WIN OR TO DIE HEROICALLY? An interview with Grigory Yavlinsky.
20. Moscow Times: Vladimir Gelman, Putin's Fear Strategy Is Losing Its Edge.
21. Moscow TImes: Bois Kagarlitsky, Media Sadomasochism.
22. Russia Beyond the Headlines: A new chapter on "Russia's Gulag of the Mind." Nina Krushcheva, is the great granddaughter of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, talked to RBTH about the Russian identity and how the protests led to a new chapter in her book.
ECONOMY
23. RIA Novosti: Medvedev Calls for Positive Attitude to Business.
24. Valdai Discussion Club: Sergey Aleksashenko, Most of the president's budgetary statement ideas are targeted towards 2018.
25. Russia Profile: Clearing the Doubts. President Vladimir Putin Woos Major Energy Company Executives with Promises of Privatization.
26. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Kommersant-Dengi:What to do in an unstable economic climate? Shop! Russian consumers apparently feel no need to save for a rainy day, opting instead to spend their way to happiness.
27. Izvestia: AUDIT CHAMBER IS ALLOWED INTO STATE-OWNED CORPORATIONS. Audit chamber will be given the right to check the expenditure of the budget money by the state corporations and companies with state participation. The auditors will be able to make a revision of the activities of such giants as"Gazprom, Rosneft and Russian Railways.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
28. RIA Novosti:Fyodor Lukyanov, Putin the Realist, Medvedev the Liberal.
29. Russia Profile: All for Show. Moscow's Maneuvers on the Syrian Issue Are Less About Accommodation and More About Saving Face.
30. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: HELICOPTER DELIVERIES. Mi-25 and means of air defense systems may be on board of the large landing ships of the Northern fleet moving to the Syrian Tartus.
31. Reuters: Russian delegation hits Washington to lobby against "Magnitsky" sanctions.
32. AP: Russia's approval of US adoption agreement met with cautious optimism by advocates, parents.
33. Bloomberg: Putin to Visit Ukraine Amid Disagreements on Gas Price, Volumes.
34. Reuters: Russian language debate splits Ukraine.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#124
10 July 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, July 10, 2012.
2. Moscow Times: Minister Acknowledges Flood Mistakes.
3. Business New Europe: Crowdsourcing helps ordinary Russian aid victims of Krymsk flooding tragedy.
4. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Krymsk Residents Question Reasons for Flooding, Deaths, Lack of Warning.
5. Russia Profile: The Blame Game. Deadly Flooding in Southern Russia Is the Latest Incident to Have Galvanized Anger at the Authorities.
6. Gazeta.ru: The unsinkable. (re Krasnodar Krai governor Alexander Tkachev)
7. Kommersant: SPECIFIC METROPOLITAN OPINION. Moscow respondents are known for their critical attitude to the authorities. Opinion poll showed: there is a gap in relation to the authorities and to the public significant issues between Moscow and other regions of Russia.
8. Moscow TImes: Vladimir Ryzhkov, Expect a Showdown With the Kremlin in the Fall,
9. Jamestown Foundation Eurasia Daily Monitor: Pavel Baev, A Post-Putin Interregnum Takes Shape In The Minds Of Putin's Elite.
10. Politkom.ru: Tatyana Stanovaya, The Political and Personnel Losses of Dmitriy Medvedev.
11. ProfilL WARD NUMBER SIX. Speaker of the State Duma Sergei Naryshkin: "The government has no fear of the Bolotnaya Square"
12. Moscow TImes: Pussy Riot Suspects to Remain in Jail.
13. www.russiatoday.com: Chief physician at Magnitsky prison to stand trial.
14. Nezavisimaya Gazetae: Russian Courts Ignoring Opposition Complaints.
15. Argumenty i Fakty: A Reader Asks Why So Many Uniforms?
16. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: New Internal Affairs Minister Could 'Go Down in History' as Reformer.
17. Reuters: Russian Wikipedia closes site to protest Internet law.
18. New York Times: The Grandmothers Sang 'Come On and Dance!' and a Village Got New Life.
ECONOMY
19. Interfax: Russian Foreign Minister Calls For Reform Of Global Financial System.
20. Reuters: Putin: State holding must not dominate energy privatisations.
21. Moscow News: Privatization drama. An energy sector rivalry may be threatening state company sell-offs.
22. Business New Europe: Aton, Faulty Powers: Russian corporate governance.
23. www.russiatoday.com: Russia's parliament ratifies WTO entry.
24. Moscow News: It's off to work we go. For many foreign specialists, legal employment in Russia presents a challenge but the times may be changing.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
25. Moscow Times: Putin Tells Diplomats to Improve Russia's Image.
26. Kremlin.ru: Meeting with Russian ambassadors and permanent representatives in international organisations.
27. RIA Novosti: Russian Minister Says No Major Changes In New Foreign Policy Blueprint.
28. Moscow TImes: Luc Jones, Expats, Russians Search for a Common Language.
29. www.russiatoday.com: Military chief Makarov in Washington to discuss global 'hotspots'
30. Moscow TImes: Duma Votes to Ease Visa Rules With U.S.
31. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Educational programs remain central in U.S.-Russia cultural collaboration. Despite the differences between Russia and the United States, both countries remain committed to educational exchange as a way to promote mutual understanding.
32. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Russia through Hollywood's Lenses. American films continue to propagate old stereotypes about Russia, but this may not be a bad thing.
33. CNN.com: Russia Analyst: Russia wouldn't resist intervention in Syria. (Dimitri Simes)
34. www.russiatoday.com: 'America's Syrian friends and Afghan foes are same people.' (interview with Aleksey Pushkov. chair of the Russian parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs)
- Back to the Top -
2012-#122
6 July 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow TImes/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, July 6, 2012.
2. Izvestia: Medvedev's "Shadow Cabinet"
3. www.opendemocracy.net: Mikhail Loginov, Russian journalists: poor, venal but (usually) honest.
4. Gazeta.ru: Regime Ethos Said To Need Existence of Both Siloviki and 'Liberals.' (Andrey Ryabov)
5. www.russiatoday.com: Lower House approves foreign agent status for NGOs.
6. Christian Science Monitor: Fred Weir, Many Russian NGOs face 'foreign agent' label. A draft law requiring NGOs that receive outside funding to register as 'foreign agents' will further limit their political independence.
7. Moscow Times: NGO Bill Debated on Eve of Duma Vote.
8. Moscow News: NGOs prepare to resist.
9. Interfax: Majority Of Russians Say Protest Rallies Changed Nothing In The Country - Poll.
10. Gazeta.ru: Poll: Russians think protest movement will continue to grow.
11. Gazeta.ru: Interviews with Activists Suggest Russian Protest Movement Lacking in Direction.
12. Moscow Times: Ultranationalists on the Rise.
13. The Economist: Russian politics. Gudkovs, bad cops. How two prominent opponents of Vladimir Putin are being harassed.
14. Moscow News: Moscow taps into civil activism. Participants of The Moscow News' roundtable list civil society and crowdsourcing as crucial for the city's development.
ECONOMY
15. Business New Europe: RenCap, Thoughts from a Renaissance man: What Russia's rulers are saying today.
16. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: MEDVEDEV POSTPONED PUTIN'S PLANS. Premier Medvedev has taken into account the "lessons" of the ex-head of Ministry of Finance of Alexey Kudrin by having suggested not to hurry with the implementation of the defense order.
17. Moscow News: Oil price decline a burst of the bubble, or just a blip? Industry experts differ sharply over prognoses for a fall in commodity values.
18. Moscow Times: Energy Efficiency Struggles Against the Paradox of Abundance.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
19. Interfax: Russians Less Enthusiastic About WTO, EU, More Negative About NATO - Poll.
20. Argumenty Nedeli: Economic Basis of Putin's Hinted Chinese-Russian Strategic Alliance Seen as Weak.
21. Moscow Times: Ruslan Pukhov, What Drives the Kremlin's Syria Policy.
22. Moscow Times: Ernest Sultanov, Carving a New Niche in Egypt.
23. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Dmitry Babich, The price of a bailout? The right to lecture. Despite its lack of funds, the EU still finds money for democracy promotion efforts outside its borders.
24. AP: US cozies up to outcast Uzbekistan as it seeks regional support for Afghanistan withdrawal.
25. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: RAHMON IS CHANGING VECTOR FROM MOSCOW TO WASHINGTON. Tajikistan may give airfield "Aini" as a gift to the United States.
26. Russia Profile: Islet of Discontent. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's Visit to the Kuril Islands Poses More Questions Than Answers.
27. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Russian causes unrest in Ukraine. A new bill adopted by the Ukrainian parliament (Supreme Rada) gives Russian official status in nearly half of Ukraine's regions. But not all Ukrainian lawmakers back the decision.
28. The Economist: Ukraine's language law. Hate speech, or merely dislike it?
- Back to the Top -
2012-#121
5 July 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times/BBC Monitoring: What the Papers Say, July 5, 2012. (DJ: Is this a useful part of JRL?)
2. RIA Novosti: Direct governor election campaign may start in Russia Thursday.
3. Russia: Other Points of View: Gordon Hahn, PUTIN'S FINES AND SEARCHES: THE END OF THE THAW?
4. BBC Monitoring: TV talk show discusses Russian judicial system.
5. Deutsche Welle: Russia's Human Rights Council - a mere fig-leaf?
6. Interfax: Duma to debate bill on nonprofit organizations on Friday.
7. Interfax: Human Rights' Council Opposed to Tightening Requirements to NGOs With Foreign Funding.
8. Izvestia: Initiators of 'Foreign Agents' Bill May Be Barred from EU, U.S.
9. Kommersant: Draft Anti-Extremism Law Proposes Tighter Rules on Hyperlnking.
10. Valdai Discussion Club: Vitaly Tretyakov, Russia: Remedy for nationalism.
11. Moscow Times: John Freedman, Bulgakov's 'Moliere' Still Has Political Resonance.
12. www.russiatoday.com: Communist leader defends Bolsheviks from Putin's treason charges.
ECONOMY
13. Bloomberg: Russian Consumer Confidence Rises to Highest Level Since 2008.
14. Interfax: Russian Minfin to Prepare Forecast Budget Based on $60/barrel of Oil in Aug.
15. Business New Europe: Ben Aris, Russian economy showing signs of overheating.
16. BBC Monitoring: TV show discusses impact of economic crisis on Russia.
17. ITAR-TASS: Duma Committee calls for approving law on ratification of WTO protocol.
18. Wall Street Journal: Capital Outflows Drop After Russian Vote.
19. Kommersant: IRRESPONSIBLE SECRETARY. Igor Sechin has lost powers in the presidential Commission on Fuel and energy complex.
20. Time.com: Why Vladimir Putin Needs Higher Oil Prices. As oil prices sink, so do the prospects for the Russian economy.
21. BBC: Russia moves to diversify economy with technology projects.
22. Financial Times: Russia: the politics of oligarchy 2.0.
23. Moscow Times: Ian Ivory, Russia Is One BRIC Ahead of the Rest.
24. Reuters: Analysis: Russia takes long view to defend Europe gas supply.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
25. Gazeta.ru: Russian Pundit Eyes New Foreign Policy Challenges Facing President Putin. (Fedor Lukyanov)
26. Boston Globe: Nicholas Burns, The return of Russia. Mercurial Putin might be the best chance for progress in Iran and Syria.
27. New York Times: For Putin, Principle vs. Practicality on Syria.
28. Interfax: Russia Not Considering Political Asylum For Al Asad, Pundits Say.
29. Russia Profile: Language Wars. A New Bill in Ukraine May Elevate the Russian Language While Stirring the Political Pot.
LONG ITEM
30. Finam FM: Belkovskiy Interviewed on Navalnyy, Prokhorov, Sobchak, Putin, Caucasus.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#116
28 June 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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Your source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Russians Are Generally Satisfied With Work of Their Leaders - Poll.
2. Moscow News: Putin wants to make Federation Council 'more democratic'
3. Kremlin.ru: Federation Council meeting.
4. Novye Izvestia: THE MAYOR OF THE CAPITAL WILL BE OURS. Moscow city Duma passed the amendments to the Constitution and the electoral code of Moscow in the final reading.
5. Kommersant: SERGEY SHOIGU RETURNS ELECTION OF MAYORS.
6. RIA Novosti: Kremlin Stands By New Rights Council Selection Rules.
7. Interfax: Prominent Russian Liberals Condemn Government's 'Repressive' Policies.
8. Moscow Times: Lilia Shevtsova, The Collapse of the Putin Era.
9. Kommersant: VICTOR ISHAYEV HAS BEEN GIVEN TOO LITTLE OF THE EAST. Today the government will consider the revised draft of the provision about the Ministry on development of the Far East, a new White House department.
10. RIA Novosti: Russian Protesters Become Younger As New Leaders Emerge - Poll.
11. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Ogoniok: Tourists with posters seek couch. Political vacationers from all over Russia in pursuit of protests and a view of history head for a different kind of hotspot.
12. Financial Times: Carroll Colley, Kremlin's planned internet ownership limits raise state control fears.
13. Moscow Times: Fursenko Goes Back to School. (re education reform)
14. RIA Novosti: Russia Leads World on Illegal Migration - OECD.
ECONOMY
15. RIA Novosti: Russia Must Insulate Budget from Energy Price Volatility Putin.
16. Business New Europe: RenCap, The Prize for Russia.
18. RIA Novosti: Konstantin von Eggert, Russia Embraces Privatization at St. Petersburg Economic Forum.
19. Moscow Times: Boris Kagarlitsky, No More Privatization Scams.
20. Moscow Times: Children's Market on Upswing With Demographics.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
21. Russia Profile: Crime and Punishment. Is the Magnitsky Act a Serious Threat to Relations Between the United States and Russia?
22. www.russiatoday.com: 'Barbaric' Magnitsky bill will harm the whole world Russia.
23. Interfax: Russian Experts Say Moscow Should Not 'Overreact' To Usa's Magnitskiy Bill.
24. Christian Science Monitor: Putin to Israel: Beware 'not that smart' wars, like ones in Iraq, Afghanistan. 'To do something without knowing the final consequence isn't that smart,' Russian President Vladimir Putin said this week, citing US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was in Israel, warning leaders there of risks of a military strike against Iran.
25. Bloomberg: Russia Said to Endorse Replacing Assad in Turn From Ally.
26. AP: Russia denies it has endorsed call for Assad to step down in Syria.
27. Russia Profile: Arms for Metals. As a Liquidity Crunch Hits Traditional Arms Buyers, Russia Turns to Tried-and-True Barter Trade.
28. Russia & India Report: Vladimir Chizhov, Russian integration with former Soviet republics no cause for worry. The idea that some former Soviet nations will have to make a strategic choice between integrating within the former Soviet space or being part of other groups is far-fetched.
29. Valdai Discussion Club: Dmitry Trenin, Collective Security Treaty Organization: What Is Involved.
LONG ITEM
30. Sergei Roy: Two for the Riverrun, or: Up Upper Vetluga!
- Back to the Top -
Johnson's Russia List
2012-#115
27 June 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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Your source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: Life Without God: Non-Believers in Post-Soviet Russia.
2. Interfax: Russian Minister Hopes For Third Place In Olympics, Says Team GB 'Main Rival'
3. Interfax: Russians Are Generally Happy With Putin's Return to Power - Poll.
4. Interfax: Russians Increasingly Trust President, Church - Poll
5. RIA Novosti: Putin Sets Out Reform of Russia's Upper House.
6. www.russiatoday.com: Putin accuses Bolsheviks of treason.
7. Moscow News: Vote together. Regional elections will all take place in September.
8. Moscow Times: Spoiler Parties Sow Confusion.
9. Gazeta.ru: Aleksandr Kynev, Single Election Insanity. Authorities Invent More and More New Methods of Manipulating the Electoral Process.
10. Izvestia: PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA MAY HAVE THE THIRD AND THE FOURTH TERM. The Kremlin and the State Duma postponed the question about the change of the Constitution.
11. BBC Monitoring: Putin denies prior knowledge of searches at opposition leaders' homes.
12. Moscow Times: Alexei Pankin, Putin's Split Personality.
13. Interfax: Most Protesters Are Pro-communist - Dvorkovich.
14. RIA Novosti: Kremlin Defends New Selection Procedure For President's Human Rights Council.
15. Interfax: Human Right Council Cannot Stay in Present Condition - Pamfilova.
17. RIA Novosti: Russia Protest Movement 'More Determined' - Study.
18. Business New Europe: Who are you? Come on! Goodbye! (Putin vs Zhirinovsky)
19. Moscow Times: Navalny Fears State Hand in New Hacking Attack.
20. BBC Monitoring: Russian commentators welcome protest leader's election to Aeroflot board.
21. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV hosts discuss politics, Syria, business and church in weekly show. (Parfenov i Pozner)
22. Moscow Times: Opposition Leaders May Attend Pro-Kremlin Camp.
23. Vedomosti editorial: POLICE FOR THE PEOPLE. Reform of the Interior Ministry will continue; it will be "put into practice" in the near future.
24. Interfax: Dozens of prominent culture figures call for release of Pussy Riot members.
25. Interfax: Russian Orthodox Cleric Opposed To Separation Between Church And State.
26. Moscow News: A media holy war. Pressure on church critics could be a show of loyalty to the Kremlin.
ECONOMY
27. Russia Proifle: Putin Needs a Hero. To Achieve an Economic Breakthrough, President Vladimir Putin Should Emulate Tsarist Premier Pyotr Stolypin.
28. Moscow News editorial: A dose of reality.
29. Business New Europe: Renaissance Capital's 16th annual Investor Conference: Key points.
30. Valdai Discussion Club: Mikhail Delyagin, Business, the state and social responsibility.
31. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Ian Pryde, The West hesitates about relying on BRICS. The BRICS want to help restart the global economy, but Western governments find it difficult to trust nations who have yet to put their own economic houses in order.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
32. Russia Profile: Mission to the Mideast. Do Russia's Relations With the Mideast Require a Delicate Balancing Act?
33. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: MOSCOW REMINDED TO THE MIDDLE EAST ABOUT ITSELF. Vladimir Putin has completed his middle East tour.
34. www.russiatoday.com: Russia halts plans to supply S-300 missile system to Syria - reports.
35. Financial Times: Think-tank questions Russia backing for Syria.
36. Izvestia: Russian Commentator Debunks Western 'Myths' About Syria Conflict. (Andranik Migranyan)
37. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Primakov Lists Reasons for Morsi Election, Time Will Tell on Army's Role.
38. Valdai Discussion Club: Toby Gati, Obama and Putin take the measure of each other at the G-20 in Los Cabos: What next?
39. RIA Novosti: Russia Warns U.S. Over Magnitsky Bill Response.
40. New York Times: Senate Panel Backs Punishing Russians on Human Rights Violations.
41. Wall Street Journal editorial: A New Russia Rights Standard. The Magnitsky Act is a worthy successor to Jackson-Vanik.
42. AP: Russia and US discuss cooperation in building new reactors, safeguarding nuclear materials.
43. Washington Post: Russian heartland fears NATO transit.
- Back to the Top -
Johnson's Russia List
2012-#114
25 June 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
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Your source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Reuters: Russia's Putin: Who does he want to be in new term?
2, ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The Levada Centre conducted a survey over an attitude of Russian citizens to the president.
3. RIA Novosti: Marc Bennetts, Angry Russia.
4. Moscow Times: Nabiullina, Gref Pursue Clarity.
5. New York Times: Working Russia's Streets, and Its Halls of Power. (re Ilya Ponomarev)
6. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Members of the Presidential Human Rights Council are dissatisfied with the procedure proposed to form the agency.
7. Moscow Times: Alexeyeva Dumps Presidential Rights Council.
8. Vedomosti editorial: COUNCIL WITHOUT THE INCONVENIENT. New procedure of formation of the presidential Council on human rights and civil society development will result in its dissolution.
9. Kommersant: From Sakharov Prospekt Rioters to Bolotnaya Square arrests. (re Alexei Navalny)
10. RIA Novosti: Anti-Corruption Blogger Navalny Elected to Aeroflot Board.
11. Moscow Times: Victor Davidoff, The Witch Hunt Against Pussy Riot.
ECONOMY
12. Reuters: Analysis: Putin disavows, but won't ditch, state capitalism.
13. Business New Europe: Alexey Moisseev made deputy finance minister.
14. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: New Government Planning Old Anti-Crisis Tricks.
15. New York Times: Former Russian Minister Warns of Economic Ebb. (Kudrin)
16. Moscow Times: Privatization Promised, But Little Understood.
17. Christian Science Monitor: Modern city rises up out of Siberia's oil-rich peat bogs. The 'national district' of Khanti-Mansiysk, located in remote western Siberia, illustrates an ambitious effort by the Kremlin to modernize Soviet-era outposts, often with local oil revenue.
18. Russia Profile: A Crumbling Structure. Russia's Creaking Infrastructure Is in Dire Need of Private Investment.
19. Reuters: Russia shifts from resource nationalism to globalism.
20. Bloomberg: Putin Commissioner Seeks Khodorkovsky Amnesty to Lure Investment. (Boris TItov)
21. Izvestia: COMMISSIONER FOR PROTECTION OF ENTREPRENEURS' RIGHTS IS LOOKING FOR SPHERES OF HIS ACTIVITY.
22. Moscow Times: Moscow Ranked Last for Doing Business.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
23. Moscow Times: 'Reset' With U.S. Looks Rocky at Panel Discussion.
24. Reuters: Russia's Putin seeks Mideast clout and to soothe Arabs.
25. New York Times: Sharmine Narwani, Fear of What's Next Makes Russia's Help Unlikely.
26. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Fyodor Lukyanov, Russia and Britain can leave the past behind.
27. Canada.com: Russia`s move to protect Arctic interests no threat to Canada: DND.
28. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: USA RESTORES MILITARY BASES IN ASIA. China is ready to strengthen ties with Russia and its other neighbors in response.
29. Russia Beyond the Headlines: A Russian export "better than sex" and more valuable than oil. Author Alexander Genis ponders why Americans don't read living Russian authors, and says that U.S. readers can fall in love with Russian literature again.
LONG ITEM
30. Strategic Studies Institute (U.S. Army War College): Lilia Shevtsova, RUSSIA'S CHOICE: CHANGE OR DEGRADATION?
- Back to the Top -
Johnson's Russia List
2012-#113
22 June 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. www.russiatoday.com: Almost half of Russians ready to fight for country on battlefront.
2. RFE/RL: NTV Vows To Show Controversial Film On WWII Anniversary.
3. Interfax: Corruption Bigger Threat to Russia Than Low Oil Prices - Putin.
4. RIA Novosti: Highest Corruption Levels In Russia In Law Enforcement Bodies And Health Service.
5. Bloomberg: Putin Fails Davos With No Dissent Among CEOs in Petersburg.
6. Moscow News editorial: Energy and inertia in St. Pete.
7. Rossiyskaya Gazeta : MINISTERS RECEIVED SUMMONS. Working plan of the new Cabinet of Ministers for the next six years will be issued in the form of a policy document.
8. Interfax: Russian Deputy PM Urges Government To Seek Dialogue With Opposition. (Shuvalov)
9. Interfax: Investors See No Danger For Themselves in Russian Opposition Protests - Ivanov.
10. www.russiatoday.com: Russia protest law follows "best world practices" Sergey Ivanov.
11. Russia Beyond the Headlines/ Moskovskiye Novosti: A scientist cannot miss out on history. Olga Kryshtanovskaya, head of the Center for Elite Studies, explains why the protest movement is more appealing than the party of power.
12. Interfax: Hermitage Capital Denies Hiring Opposition Activist Navalny.
13. Moscow News: Mark Galeotti, A walk in the woods. (re Novaya Gazeta and Alexander Bastrykin)
ECONOMY
14. Moscow Times: Putin Gives Investors an Ombudsman.
15. Business New Europe/RenCap: Putin's speech at the St Petersburg Forum: President said what was broadly expected.
16. Moskovskiye Novosti: St. Petersburg Economic Forum: Uncertain Prospects for Russia.
17. Interfax: No Need to Fear Crisis, But Anti-crisis Measures Necessary - Gref.
18. Russia Profile: Anemic Global Growth. Global Economic Recovery Is Nowhere on the Horizon, Experts at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum Say.
19. www.russiatoday.com: Lower oil price 'good for Russia.' (Jim O'Neill of Goldman Sachs)
20. RIA Novosti: Russian Govt Confirms Top Company Short-Term Privatization Plans.
21. Moscow Times: Sergei Guriev, Privatization as a Crisis-Fighting Measure.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
23. Interfax: Putin Praises His Meeting With Obama as Positive.
24. Russia Profile Weekly Experts Panel: Will Putin and Obama Reset the "Reset?" Introduced by Vladimir Frolov. Contributors: Vladimir Belaeff, Eric Kraus, Dick Krickus, Edward Lozansky, Anthony Salvia.
25. Moscow Times: EU Loses Out to East at Economic Forum.
26. Voice of America: James Brooke, The Putin Pendulum: Anti-White House Pro American Investment.
27. www.russiatoday.com: Fyodor Lukyanov, Russia watches changing Middle East.
28. www.russiatoday.com: Ship bound for Syria was carrying 3 old helicopters repaired in Russia - Lavrov.
29. Moscow News: Ships a warning on Syria. Russia may be sending a political signal to the U.S.
30. The National Interest: Leon Hadar, Understanding Moscow's Mideast Policy.
31. GlobalPost: Fred Weir, Russia's 'rational' and 'moral' stance on Syria. In Moscow, even Kremlin critics agree with Putin's resistance to intervening in Syria. Here's why.
32. Russia: Other Points of View: Gordon Hahn, THE 'RESET' AND THE WAR AGAINST JIHADISM.
33. www.swissinfo.ch: Stefania Summermatter, "Collective depression" haunts Georgia
LONG ITEM
34. Kremlin.ru: St Petersburg International Economic Forum. (Putin's speech)
- Back to the Top -
Johnson's Russia List
2012-#112
21 June 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. ITAR-TASS: Russian formula of democracy and development should be created.
2. www.russiatoday.com: Thirst for change dangerous if leads to destruction Putin.
3. Financial Times: Putin seeks to reassure foreign investors.
4. Business New Europe: Ben Aris, Putin calls for G20 to take lead in global affairs, makes more concessions to protestors.
5. Moscow Times: Live Blog: Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Day 1.
6. Moscow Times: Taking Stock of Medvedev's Promises at Last Forum.
7. Financial Times: Country begins to tire of Putin's reign.
8. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: AUGUST WILL BE HOT FOR ENVOYS. Institution of the representatives of the President may be reformed.
9. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Experts See Russian Investigations Committee's Politicization.
10. RIA Novosti: Poll Shows Little Awareness Of March Of Millions Protests In Russia.
11. Interfax: Poll Suggests Moscow Needs Special Venue For Rallies.
12. RBK Daily: "OCCUPY" AND LAWYERS. Opposition builds a line of defense in cases of May 6.
13. BBC Monitoring: Russian late-night talk show eyes protest movement's goals, funding.
14. Moscow Times: Opposition Leaders Called In for Questioning About Navalny.
15. Interfax: Navalny Could Be Acting in Interests of Rosneft Competitors - Sechin.
16. Interfax: Magnitsky case investigation goes on - Investigative Committee.
17. Slon.ru: Russian Website Examines Role of Nationalism in Domestic Politics. (Grigoriy Golosov)
18. Interfax: Russia Accuses OSCE Of Refusing To Agree To Common Election Monitoring Rules.
19. Krasnaya Zvezda: Security Council Secretary Patrushev on threats to RF security posed by protest sentiments and opposition actions.
20. RIA Novosti: Jokes About Russian Patriarch Insult Believers - Spokesman.
ECONOMY
21. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russia's Economic Situation, Preparedness For Another Crisis, Assessed.
22. Interfax: Capital Flight Makes Up Maximum of 20% of Capital Outflow From Russia - Shuvalov.
23. RIA Novosti: Deputy PM Slammed Over Modernization Spending Plan.
24. Wall Street Journal: Russian Privatization Plan Raises Questions. Murky Details and Political Infighting Could Undermine $100 Billion Program.
25. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Russia's Growing Vulnerability to the Eurozone Crisis.
26. Moscow Times: Looking for Oil? Expect to Find Igor Sechin.
27. Interfax: Total Operations in Russia's Arctic Shelf Might Cost Over $400 Bln - Sechin.
28. Moscow Times: Moscow Burial Services Being Privatized.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
29. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Vladimir Putin does not expect any changes in the US policy for the deployment of the missile defence system.
30. Kommersant: Talks on Iran Nuclear Problem, Fruitless So Far, Will Continue In Istanbul.
31. RIA Novosti: Fyodor Lukyanov, Russia and the United States: A Precarious Balance.
32. Moscow Times: Andrei Kortunov, A Cold but Promising Obama-Putin Meeting.
33. Moscow Times: Anders Aslund, Putin's Eurasian Illusion Will Lead to Isolation.
34. Interfax: West Surprised By Putin's Warning of Retaliation For U.S.' Magnitsky Bill - Pundit. (Sergei Markov)
35. www.foreignpolicy.com: Jamison Firestone, Abandoning Sergei Magnitsky. Why is Hillary Clinton giving up on human rights in Russia?
36. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Eugene Ivanov, Will the Magnitsky bill "replace" the Jackson-Vanik amendment? The new legislation is less about human rights than about the desires of the anti-Russian lobby in the U.S. to treat Russia as an inferior partner.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#111
20 June 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: THE KREMLIN IS AT THE CROSSROADS. Stiffness of the authorities to the opposition makes them a hostage to their security ministries.
2. Moscow Times: Muscovites Against New Protest Law, Poll Says.
3. Interfax: Russian Weatherman Clears Kremlin Of Raining On The Opposition's Parade.
4. Moscow Times: Georgy Bovt, Media Don't See the Forest for the Truth.
5. Interfax: Kremlin Human Rights Council's Opinion Heeded - Head.
6. www.russiatoday.com: First nationalist party registered under new Russian law.
7. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The governor of the Moscow Region interfered in one of the acutest public conflicts in the Moscow Region.
8. Russia Beyond the Headlines: ECHR labels Russia's elections fair. Judgment in 2003 vote outrages Russia's opposition figures and encourages them to file another complaint against the alleged falsifications during the 2011 parliamentary elections.
9. Sean's Russia Blog: Sean Guillory, The Power Vertical Myth.
10. The Guardian : From Russia with likes: Kremlin to launch Facebook-style social network. With the internet genie fully out of the bottle in Russia, Chinese-style attempts at top-down control are doomed. So officials have come up with a plan.
11. Valdai Discussion Club: Thomas Gomart, Russian internet demonstrates high level of political maturity.
ECONOMY
12. Bloomberg: Russian Unemployment Rate Plunges to Lowest in at Least 13 Years.
13. ITAR-TASS: Russia prepared for economic crisis, government officials say.
14. Reuters: Putin's next challenge for Russia - win back investors.
15. Moscow Times: Investors Look to Putin for Direction.
16. www.russiatoday.com: MPs challenge WTO membership in the highest court.
17. Moscow Times: Hazy Forecast for Russia's Global Green Agenda.
18. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Russia needs a new brand. In order to become a destination for business events, Russia and its cities need to focus more on how it is perceived and how it wants to be perceived.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
19. Financial Times: Anatol Lieven, The west must work with Putin's Russia, not just berate it.
20. Moscow Times: Putin Voices Pessimism on Missile Defense.
21. Reuters: Russia may restrict Americans over rights dispute.
22. www.russiatoday.com: No future intelligence work for G20 leaders, jokes Putin.
23. Interfax: Russia as G20 president to revise previous group's obligations.
24. Kremlin.ru: News conference following G20 summit.
25. Moskovskiye Novosti: THOUGH FAR FROM PARADISE. Joint statement of the leaders contains the declarations of both Moscow and Washington on a range of issues - from trade-and-economic cooperation to the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
26. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: BARGAINING WITH IRAN IS SO FAR INSUCCESSFUL. Tehran demands to ease sanctions.
27. Interfax: Moscow round of Iran talks open path to compromise - analysts .
28. Interfax: False Report on Maneuvers in Syria Aimed At Increasing Tensions - Russian Academic.
29. Valdai Discussion Club: Alexander Aksenyonok, Syria's problems should not affect Russia's relationship with the West.
30. Vedomosti: War, Conflict In Near East Seen As Inevitable. (Sergey Karaganov)
31. Russia Beyond the Headlines: The U.S. and Russia keep collaborating on economy and non-proliferation.
32. Wall Street Journal: Hillary Clinton, Trade With Russia Is a Win-Win . By making Moscow a normal trading partner, Congress would create American jobs and advance human rights.
33. www.foreignpolicy.com: Andrew Weiss, Putin's Waiting Game. Russia's savvy president isn't trying to start a new Cold War, he's just waiting to see what happens in November.
34. The Nation: Stephen F. Cohen, Is the US Returning to the Cold War With Russia?
35. Russia: Other Points of View: Gordon Hahn, PUTIN: IRRITANT OR PRODUCT OF ROILED U.S.-RUSSIA RELATIONS.
36. Russia Profile: The Line of Fire. Is the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Reaching a Boiling Point?
37. Ira Straus: Re: 2012-#110-Johnson's Russia List/Adomanis.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#110
19 July 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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Support JRL: www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/funding.phpYour source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times: Alexander Golts, Nobody Is Listening to Putin Anymore.
2. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Every tenth Russian ready to protest. Willingness to take to the streets determined by personal circumstances rather than slogans.
3. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV veteran hosts discuss journalists' safety, rallies in weekly show. (Parfenov i Pozner)
5. Ed Dolan's Econ Blog: Behind the Russian Protests: Rising Economic Expectations and a Business Leader Turned Activist.
6. The Globalist: Andreas Umland, Russia's Liberal Pseudo-Politicians.
7. Russia Profile: Messing with History. A Proposal to Bury Vladimir Lenin's Body Has Reignited the Debate About History and Politics in Russia.
8. Moscow Times: Marilyn Murray, Children Left Alone: A Soviet Legacy Continues.
ECONOMY
9. Financial Times: Russia earmarks $40bn to bolster economy.
10. Wall Street Journal: Russia Braces for Trouble in Its Export Markets.
11. Wall Street Journal: Russia's Shuvalov on Economy, Policy.
12. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Itogi: Who is Mr. Dvorkovich? Will Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich manage to liberalize the Russian economy?
13. Moscow News: Paying for prosperity. As the euro zone wobbles, a divide over spending and austerity opens in Russia.
14. Moscow News: Good framework, but slow building. Russia has a solid foundation for economic growth, but needs a clearer business climate.
15. Business New Europe: Kingsmill Bond, Russia's unfinished capitalism The structural growth story.
16. Moscow Times: Top Executives' Secrets for Leadership That Works.
17. Moscow News: Powering up the planet. Vast natural resources and nuclear expertise play in Russia's favor on the global market.
18. Moscow News: Chinese puzzle. A worsening gas market may prompt Russia to sign a pricing agreement with China sooner rather than later, amid subtle shifts in Moscow's relationship with Beijing.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
19. RIA Novosti: Putin Plans to Continue 'Reset' Policy with Washington.
20. New York Times: Face to Face, Obama Tries to Persuade Putin on Syria.
21. Interfax: Russia, U.S. agree Syria settlement requires pressure on both sides in conflict - Peskov.
22. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Vladimir Putin meets with Barack Obama.
23. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: ABOUT TWO PRESIDENTS. Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama agreed to continue the dialogue on missile defense.
24. The White House: Remarks by President Obama and President Putin of Russia After Bilateral Meeting.
25. The White House: Joint Statement by the President of the United States of America Barack Obama and the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.
26. RIA Novosti: Warship Heads for 'Test' as Navy Denies Syria Role.
27. Business New Europe: MOSCOW BLOG: Lavrov drives home Russia stand on Syria.
28. The National Interest: Paul Saunders, Syria Tests Russia's Global Role.
29. AP: Negotiators make last ditch effort to break deadlock in Iran talks.
30. Interfax: Russian Experts Sceptical About Outcome Of 5+1 Meeting On Iran In Moscow.
31. RIA Novosti: White House Pushes for Jackson-Vanik Repeal Without Reference to Magnitsky Bill.
32. Interfax: Russia Should Not Counteract 'Magnitsky Bill' - Federation Council.
33. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Will the Magnitsky blacklist sour U.S.-Russian relations?
34. Moscow News: Mark Teeter, Russians for Romney?
35. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, The Foreign Policy Initiative's Plan for Worsening Relations with Russia and Weakening American Interests.
36. Business New Europe: Ben Aris, NTERVIEW: Has Belarus passed bottom?
- Back to the Top -
2012-#109
18 June 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. BBC Monitoring: Russian chief investigator justifies searches at opposition leaders' houses.
2. BBC Monitoring: Prominent Russian radio editor defends colleague in row with chief investigator. (Aleksey Venediktov)
3. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Analyst Sees Putin's Actions Strengthening Opposition. (Stanislav Belkovskiy)
4. Moscow Times: Vladimir Frolov, Putin Tough-Guy Tactics Not Working on Protests.
5. BBC Monitoring: Comments on reform failure as Putin decree reshuffles Russian police chiefs.
6. ITAR-TASS: Yabloko modernizes program aiming to unite all democratic forces.
7. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. PARNAS and Republican Party merge.
8. Moscow Times: Celebrity Trio Advanced for Human Rights Council.
9. Interfax: Opposition Leader Nemtsov Warns That Reprisals in Russia Will Be Increasing.
10. Gazeta.ru: Weaknesses of Russian Protest Movement Diagnosed. (Andrey Kolesnikov)
11. BBC Monitoring: Former youth leader discusses politics, society, opposition in talk show. (Vasiliy Yakemenko)
12. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: UP TO CONFISCATION OF PROPERTY. Russia will make the laws on counteraction to corruption harsher and will impose more serious punishments.
13. RFE/RL: Strasbourg Seeks To Limit Russia Cases, But Rights-Watchers Say That's A Good Thing.
14. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Russia Beyond the Headlines has launched a free digital magazine about trends in contemporary Russian literature.
ECONOMY
15. Vedomosti: MODERNIZATION IS DIVIDED BETWEEN TWO PERSONS. The presidential council for modernization headed by Vladimir Putin will work on the modernization strategy and the presidium headed by Dmitry Medvedev will work on operational issues.
16. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Igor Sechin resumes supervision of Russia's fuel and energy complex.
17. Moscow TImes: Dvorkovich Weakened by New Commission.
18. Moscow Times: World Bank Positive on Doing Business in Russia Ahead of Forum.
19. RIA Novosti: Expert Publishes First English Edition for Foreign Investors.
20. www.diplomaticourier.com: Richard Rousseau, Russia's Dangerous Nuclear Legacy. (re civilian nuclear power)
21. Moscow Times: What Euro Crisis? Russia Seeks Single Currency.
22. Russia Beyond the Headlines: U.S. and EU fight Russia's unemployment. By pouring money into the financial system, the U.S. and EU did little to help their own economies; the benefits flowed mainly to Russia.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
23. Gazeta.ru: Strained US/Russian Relations Seen as Normal for Nonallied Great Powers. (Fedor Lukyanov)
24. RIA Novosti: Putin Outlines Steps to Address Looming Crisis.
25. ITAR-TASS: Magnitsky bill, ABM, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan are main items of Putin-Obama summit.
26. AP: Summit lets Obama, Putin size up the competition.
27. Politico.com: President Obama, Vladimir Putin gird for frosty face-off.
28. New York Times: Dmitri Trenin, Realigning the Reset.
29. RIA Novosti: Kremlin: Replacement of Jackson-Vanik with Magnitsky Bill Unacceptable.
30. Washington Post editorial: Punish the Russian abusers.
31. New York Times: Iran Nuclear Talks Resume in Moscow.
32. Interfax: Russia, Iran Keen on Success of Moscow Talks; West Will Try Prevent It - Expert. (Radzhab Safarov)
33. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Is Russia Sending Troops to Syria?
34. Moscow Times: Alexander Shumilin, A Ship Leading to Escalation in Syria.
35. Valdai Discussion Club: Vitaly Naumkin, Arab Spring enters new phase.
36. www.russiatoday.com: USed weapons giveaway in Central Asia concerns Russia.
37. Washington Post: A stagnant Ukraine struggles to see a way out.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#105
11 June 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: Russia Showing Dangerous Cohesion - Arshavin.
2. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. President's and prime minister's ratings are on the rise, sociologists say.
3. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Analyst Portrays Putin as 'Simple' Man. (Stanislav Belkovskiy)
4. BBC Monitoring: Russian political analyst says Putin losing touch with reality. (Gleb Pavlovskiy)
5. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russian Pundit Sees Tandem Failing to Consolidate 'Pluralistic' Society. (Aleksey Malashenko)
6. BBC Monitoring: Celebrate Russia's sporting successes, TV pundit tells opposition.
7. Washington Post: Russian police raid apartments of protest leaders.
8. www.russiatoday.com: Homes of Russian opposition figures searched ahead of rally.
9. Moscow Times: Putin Throws Down Gauntlet for Protesters.
10. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Law on rally violations comes into force.
11. BBC Monitoring: Putin signs new law to counter 12 June protests - analysts, politicians.
12. ITAR-TASS: Organizers of March of Millions issue policy manifesto.
13. Washington Post: In Russia, corruption continues unabated after reformer is gunned down.
14. Moscow News: Ministry of propaganda? Management style, not politics, may yet define the controversial new culture minister.
15. www.russiatoday.com: Lenin should be buried Culture Minister.
16. Moscow News: One test to rule them all. The Unified State Exam remains controversial but change is coming.
17. BBC Monitoring: TV station explains Russian society's hostility towards gays.
ECONOMY
18. BBC Monitoring: Russian economists, politicians discuss economic crisis in TV show.
19. Kommersant: RUIE's Shokhin on Prospects For Government-Business Relations.
20. Moscow News: New asset sale plan disappoints investors. The government's new schedule fails to bring some much-needed detail to the privatization drive.
21. Moscow News: To boldly go to the Barents. Developing the Shtokman gas field may be risky, but for Gazprom, there may be no time to spare.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
22. Interfax: Russians Want Their Country to Be Leading World Power - Poll.
23. Moscow News: Accentuate the positive. U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul praised the Russia-U.S. reset at the New Economic School.
24. McClatchy Newspapers: Trade puts U.S.-Russian relations at turning point.
25. Moscow Times: Michael Byers, Canada Can Help Russia With Northern Sea Route.
26. Da Russophile: Anatoly Karlin, The 5 Types of Russian American.
27. Politkom.ru: Commentary Eyes Impact on Russia of Possible NATO Use of Central Asian Territory.
28. Interfax: Georgian Authorities Seek to Fine Opposition Leader Equivalent of $46 Mln.
- Back to the Top -
Johnson's Russia List
2012-#102
6 June 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Voice of Russia: Alexander Pushkin: the sun that shines for everyone.
2. AP: Russian parliament's upper house OKs protest bill.
3. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The amendments in the law on rallies are approved: the March of Millions will be held under new rules on June 12.
4. www.russiatoday.com: Harsh 'anti-rally bill' passed, Rights Council seeks Putin veto.
5. Washington Post: Russian parliament shows unusual defiance in fighting fines for protesters.
6. Moscow Times: Government Snooping Has Risen 75% Since 2007.
7. Interfax: Russian Foreign, Interior Ministers Most Popular Cabinet Members, Polls Show.
8. BBC Monitoring: Defamation verdict seen as new tactics against opposition activists.
9. Moscow Times/Reuters: Ashurkov Bridging the Gap Between Business and Politics for Navalny.
10. Izvestia: DILUTING PARTIES. MUSHROOMING PRO-REGIME ORGANIZATIONS AND STRUCTURES ENCOUNTER NO TROUBLES WITH OFFICIAL REGISTRATION.
11. BBC Monitoring: Influential media figure says Russia turning into police state.. (Nezavisimaya Gazeta owner and editor Konstantin Remchukov)
12. RIA Novosti: Greater Role Sought for Public Councils.
13. ITAR-TASS: Education minister promises to active dialogue with civil society.
14. Moscow Times: Marilyn Murray, Soviet Children's Fear of Being Left Alone.
ECONOMY
15. Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs: David Speedie, Flouting the Economic Laws of Nature?
16. RBC Daily: BUDGET. The authorities had better prepare themselves for budget deficits in years to come.
17. Interfax: Medvedev: Russia's position in WTO must be based on priority national interests.
18. RIA Novosti: Russia Bleeds $146 Bln Capital Over 21 Months.
19. Moscow Times: James Beadle, BP Is Moving Forward, Not Stepping Down.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
20. Moscow Times: Putin Pushes Investment on China Trip.
21. Russia Profile: Crouching Bear, Hidden Tiger. Putin's New Foreign Policy Eyes China to Boost Russia's Economy as the Eurozone Crisis Deepens.
22. Gazeta.ru editorial: Temporary brothers.
23. www.russiatoday.com: Russia and China pull together to counter US Asia drive.
24. www.russiatoday.com: Sergey Strokan, Shanghai: 12 years on.
25. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Sergei Karaganov, Putin confirms: Russia stands with Europe. Although not much progress has been made in Russian-EU relations in recent years, President Vladimir Putin's decision to make Berlin and Paris among his first destinations abroad speaks volumes about where his foreign policy focus lies.
26. Bloomberg: Russia Open to Syria Transition in Shift Away From Assad.
27. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: SYRIAN VECTOR FOR RUSSIAN PARATROOPS. Will Russia be sending peacekeepers to Syria?
28. Voice of America: Analysts Discuss Russia's Role in Syria.
29. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: AFGHANI TRANSIT. NATO signed "mutually beneficial" transit agreements with Central Asian countries.
30. New York Times: Nikolai Korchunov, You Say Defense, We See Threat. (re missile defense)
31. Interfax: Russian-U.S. Working Group on Civil Society to meet in Moscow in June.
32. The Hill (Washington DC): US companies alarmed by Russia sanctions bill.
33. BBC Monitoring: Russia does not want a nuclear-armed Iran - top security official. (Nikolay Patrushev)
34. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: The Iran Question Took Clinton to the Transcaucasus: the US Secretary of State Wants To Satisfy Herself as to the Loyalty of Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.
35. Interfax: Saakashvili Thanks Obama For Supporting Georgia.
LONG ITEM
36. http://government.ru: Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's Interview With Vladimir Pozner of First Channel Television.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#100
4 June 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. BBC Monitoring: State corporation head predicts end of stability in Russia. (Anatoliy Chubays)
2. AFP: Putin has 'moral' right to lead Russia: Medvedev.
3. Snob: Medvedev's Press Secretary Looks Back on Four Years of His Presidency. (Natalya Timakova)
4. Moscow Times: Vladimir Frolov, Ministers Must Pass Through Duma Control.
5. Kommersant: Income Declarations Show All New Ministers To Be Millionaires.
6. RIA Novosti: Aide Surkov To Do Work For Both Medvedev And Putin, Russian Media Reports Note.
7. Moscow Times: Peter Rutland, The New Boss in Yekaterinburg. (Yevgeny Kuivashev)
8. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV veterans lament lack of political renewal in weekly analytical show. (Parfenov i Pozner)
9. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Priorities of New Culture Minister Medinskiy, A 'PR Specialist', Queried.
10. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Pundits View How Putin Will Deal With Challenges of New Term as President.
11. Izvestia: Medvedev To Expand Internet Presence With New YouTube, Twitter Accounts.
12. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: MIKHAIL PROKHOROV TRIES TO RETURN TO POLITICS.
13. BBC Monitoring: A Just Russia leader believes political changes are at hand. (Sergey Mironov)
14. RIA Novosti: Duma to Tighten Rules for Rallies This Week.
15. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The Russian authorities and the opposition cannot agree on a venue for protest actions.
16. Forbes.com: Yulia Tarnova, Russia's Rich Sponsor Opposition, This Time Officially.
17. Reuters: Russia security chief says foreign sites foment protests.
18. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Social Issues Stymie Army Reform.
19. Xinhua: Russian Moms Call for 'Smarter' Schooling.
20. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Blogging Russia: The eXpat files.
ECONOMY
21. AFP: Alarm grows in Russia over ruble losses.
22. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Dmitry Medvedev discussed the future of rouble.
23. Moscow Times: Weak Ruble Bad for Some, But Not All.
24. Interfax: Russian Duma Speaker Admits WTO Membership Risks.
25. Russia Profile: In Piggy Banks We Trust. Russians Are Developing a Fear of Banks and Opting to Keep Their Cash at Home.
26. Moscow Times: Russians Push 'Land Bridge,' New Line to Vienna.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
27. Izvestia: INSOR STARTED ADVISING PUTIN. Russia receives a chance to become the leader of the "third world" countries.
28. RBC Daily: PUTIN GOES TO THE SCO SUMMIT. Vladimir Putin starts an Asian tour.
29. Interfax: Russia Sees No Alternative to SCO Enlargement.
30. Valdai Discussion Club: Fyodor Lukyanov, Eurasian Union is Putin's top priority.
31. Moscow Times: Putin: Visa Deal Key for EU-Russia Relations.
32. Interfax: Kremlin Upbeat On Results Of Putin's Visits To Berlin, Paris.
33. BBC Monitoring: Putin dismisses concerns about Germany's growing dependency on Russian gas.
34. BBC Monitoring: Russian foreign minister looks ahead to the next Putin-Obama meeting.
35. Interfax: Pushkov pledges help to McFaul in becoming genuine ambassador.
36. BBC Monitoring: Russia will not agree to sanctions against Syria - senior MP. (Aleksey Pushkov)
37. Moscow Times: Alexander Shumilin, Russia's Role in the Houla Massacre.
38. Financial Times: Ukraine: An orange era gone bitter. Euro 2012 has become a focus for fears that the gains of recent years are being eroded.
- Back to the Top -
28 May 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Valdai Discussion Club: Mikhail Dmitriev, No one understands the political situation in Russia.
2. Moscow Times: Medvedev Appointed Chairman of United Russia.
3. BBC Monitoring: Prime Minister Medvedev sets out One Russia party's own, national priorities.
4. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Dmitry Medvedev became the chairman of the United Russia Party.
5. Interfax: Russian Party Leaders Sceptical On Medvedev's One Russia Reform Plan.
6. Kommersant: PUTIN'S ADVICE TO HIMSELF. THE PRESIDENT FORMED THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND LEFT MIKHAIL FEDOTOV IN CHARGE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND CIVIL SOCIETY.
7. Vedomosti editorial: ZERO. Vladimir Putin's cronies quarrel over access to national riches.
8. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: POLITICAL SCIENCE. Civil Society Development Foundation is to be established.
9. Interfax: Former Russian Finance Minister Urges New Cabinet To Take 'Unpopular Steps.' (Aleksey Kudrin)
10. BBC Monitoring: Former minister expects no 'tightening of screws' under Putin. (Kudrin)
11. Gazeta.ru: Yabloko Leader Mitrokhin on Goals of Russian Protest Movement.
12. BBC Monitoring: Prominent media figure accuses state TV of lies, says Russia run by 'junta.' (Irena Lesnevskaya)
13. RIA Novosti: Opposition Set For New Rally on June 12.
14. Moscow Times: Victor Davidoff, There's Just One Nationality - Mathematician.
15. Newsweek.com: Owen Matthews, Meet Igor the Tank Engineer. Who needs the urban elites when you have Russia's heartland?
16. ITAR-TASS: Growing wages in public sector make government jobs attractive for Russian youth.
17. Moscow Times: Internet Shows Signs of Challenging TV for Attention.
18. BBC Monitoring: Russian expert says migration of TV audience to internet inevitable.
19. ITAR-TASS: All in Buranovo Grannies' village have TV sets, many have computers.
ECONOMY
20. Russia Profile: Warning Signals. The Russian Government Has Made Enormous Social Commitments That It Can Neither Pull Nor Implement.
21. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Alexei Moiseev, The impact of the Euro crisis on Russia`s economy. Europe is and has always been Russia's trading partner, so naturally, when Europe is in trouble, the main question for Russian companies is how it will affect them.
22. RIA Novosti: Foreign Managers Flee to Russia from Eurozone Crisis.
23. Interfax: Reserves Will Enable Russia to Overcome Possible Crisis - Kudrin.
24. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Felix Goryunov, Caught in the oil trap. President Putin has been plans for Russia's economic development, but is Russia's dependence on energy exports too strong to allow any changes to take place?
25. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Oroniok, Russia's business leaves big cities for small ones. In a dramatic shift from the decades in which Russians dreamed of living in Moscow, today more white-collar workers see much to like in the Russian regions.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
26. Interfax interview: Michael McFaul: U.S. values cooperation with Russia on Iran on both diplomatic and pressure paths.
27. Voice of America: US-Russia Relations in Holding Pattern, Analysts Say.
28. ITAR-TASS: Russia, NATO mark 15 years of partnership.
29. Kommersant-VLAST: DOUBTS. MISSILE DEFENSE ARMS RACE BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES IS ON.
30. BBC Monitoring: TV talk show considers threat US missile defence in Europe poses to Russia.
31. Financial Times: Russia turns up the nuclear rhetoric.
32. www.russiatoday.com: Pundit frenzy as Putin prepares for European road trip.
33. New York Times: U.S. Hopes Assad Can Be Eased Out With Russia's Aid.
34. The Guardian (UK): Simon Tisdall, Syria: why Russia changed tack. Moscow's step towards backing Assad's dethronement owes much to Putin's unsentimental calculations of national advantage.
35. Russia Profile Weekly Experts Panel: Europe Shuns Ukraine as a Dictatorship. Introduced by Vladimir Frolov. Contributors: Dick Krickus, Andrei Liakhov, Anthony Salvia.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#89
16 May 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Putin Appeals to Most Russians - Poll.
2. Russia & India Report/Ogoniok: Fyodor Lukyanov, Back to the future: Putin 2018. A utopian political experiment with an uneasy beginning and a happy ending. Fyodor Lukyanov takes a look at May 7, 2018.
3. Moscow Times: New Cabinet For Putin's Eyes Only.
4. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: CHANGING PLACES. MEMBERSHIP IN THE FUTURE GOVERNMENT IS KEPT A SECRET.
5. Business New Europe: Return of the tandem.
6. RIA Novosti: Russian Police Break Up Anti-Putin Camp, Activists Relocate.
7. Moscow Times: Court Orders Protest Camp Dismantled.
8. ITAR-TASS: Opposition plans to continue outdoor protest campaign until June 12.
9. Business New Europe: Julia Reed, MOSCOW BLOG: Occupy Abai - a revolution of nobodies.
10. Gazeta.ru: Rift Between Russian Silent Majority, Protesting Minority Seen as Positive. (Semen Novoprudskiy)
11. Osobaya Bukva: Leftist Activist Zhvaniya on Moscow, St. Petersburg Opposition Protests.
12. RIA Novosti: Russian MPs to Toughen Public Rally Rules.
13. Interfax: One Russia MP Urges Crackdown On Social Networks Over Recent Unrest.
14. Moskovskiye Novosti: DANGER FROM WITHIN. THE AUTHORITIES CONTEMPLATE ANOTHER BLOW AT NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION.
15. Osobaya Bukva: Analyst Sees Prokhorov 'Finished' as Politician. (Yevgeniy Gontmakher)
16. Mir Novostei: "TO DEFEAT CORRUPTION, ONE OUGHT TO WANT TO DO IT." An interview with Institute of Globalization Director Mikhail Delyagin.
17. Valdai Discussion Club: Alexei Malashenko, All is not quiet in Russian Islam.
18. Reuters: Russia's Patriarch launches Facebook page.
19. Moscow Times: Russian Satellite Takes Highest-Ever Resolution Picture of Earth.
ECONOMY
20. Interfax: Deterioration of economic situation in EU possible, Russia prepared - Ignatyev.
21. Russia Beyond the Headlines: A hundred steps upward to encourage business. Vladimir Putin has determined his main economic goal for his new presidential term for Russia to rise 100 places in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business rankings, from 120th to 20th.
22. Moscow News: Revised consumer basket draws criticism.
23. Moscow News: Bucking expectations, April capital outflow reaches $8 billion.
24. Russia Profile: Logistical Nightmares. World Bank Experts Say Businesses Still Face a Logistics Nightmare in Russia.
25. www.russiatoday.com: Russian pipeline projects to gain from Nabucco woes.
26. New York Times: A Russian Magnate's Facebook Bet Pays Off Big.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
27. Moscow Times: Putin Looks to Strengthen Ties With Former Soviet Neighbors.
28. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: COLLECTIVE DEFENSE AND THE CAUCASUS. EMPHASIS IN RUSSIA'S FOREIGN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES IS TO BE MADE ON THE CIS COLLECTIVE SECURITY TREATY ORGANIZATION.
29. Russia Beyond the Headlines: SCO as a counter to NATO? Although for many years the SCO treaded cautiously in making foreign policy statements, the organization is evolving.
30. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Blue berets to meet green ones. Russian Airborne Troops to experience joint military drills with American special forces in Colorado.
31. Kommersant: UNDER-SUMMIT. OFFICIAL MOSCOW: WASHINGTON'S REACTION TO THE NEWS THAT MEDVEDEV WILL BE GOING TO CAMP DAVID IS PREDICTABLE.
32. Kommersant: Former Deputy Foreign Minister Kunadze on Putin's NATO Meeting, G8 Summit Snub.
33. RIA Novosti: Putin-Obama Mutual Snubs Spell 'Reset' Crisis Analysts.
34. Christian Science Monitor: Kennette Benedict, Russia should be rewarded with NATO membership.
35. www.foreignpolicy.com: Alexander Kliment, Putin's G-8 snub could keep the U.S. and Russia talking.
36. www.foreignpolicy.com: Anders Aslund, Kick Russia Out of the G-8. If Putin doesn't want to come to Camp David, fine. He doesn't belong there anyway.
37. Washington Post: GOP won't let Obama's 'hot mike' cool.
38. Interfax: Moscow Warns of 'extremely Negative' Attitude to Possible Enforcement of Magnitsky List in U.S.
- Back to the Top -
2012-#92
21 May 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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Your source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Reuters: Putin dominates new Russian government.
2. RIA Novosti: Putin Maintains Control over Government.
3. RIA Novosti:Medvedev Sets Out Key Tasks for New Govt.
4. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Commentary Urges Russian Regime To Bow to 'History,' Permit Democracy. (Leonid Radzikhovskiy)
5. Vedomosti: MEDVEDEV'S TEAM. EXPERTS ARE CONVINCED THAT MOST MEMBERS OF RUSSIA'S NEW GOVERNMENT INTEND TO INITIATE NO REFORMS.
6. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Back to regional elections. Russia has seen a renewed interest in regional elections as voters look to change the system from the bottom up.
7. ITAR-TASS: RF reshuffles governors before gubernatorial election law enacted.
8. Moscow Times: President Slashes Number of Cars With Blue Lights.
9. Interfax: Reforms Needed to Make It Unnecessary For Russians to Go to European Court - Senior Judge.
10. RIA Novosti: Russian Society Not Ready For Anglo Saxon Style Civil Code - Senior Judge.
11. Interfax: Russians less enthusiastic about opposition rallies.
12. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Opposition camp migrating around downtown Moscow.
13. Profil: OUT! THE DUMA KEEPS INVENTING NEW WAYS OF DEALING WITH THE OPPOSITION.
14. Profil: Vladislav Inozemtsev, PROTEST. LEADERS OF THE OPPOSITION MIGHT REMAIN CRITICS OF THE REGIME BUT FAIL TO EVOLVE INTO A POLITICAL FORCE.
15. BBC Monitoring: Russian opposition leader on protests, friends, foes. (Mikhail Kasyanov)
16. Osobaya Bukva: Navalnyy Seen Turning Into 'Hysterical Loudmouth' 'With No Future.' (Anton Orekh)
17. New York Times: Masha Gessen, The Dictator. (Putin)
18. Vedomosti: Growing Role of Writers in Protest Movement Eyed.
19. Moscow TImes: John Freedman, Walking and Laughing with Artists.
ECONOMY
20. AFP: Putin's economic plan: 'great leap' into the unknown.
21. Interfax: Experts Pour Scorn On Putin's Economic Promises.
22. www.russiatoday.com: Cut oil dependency before too late - former Finance Minister Kudrin.
23. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Russia is on Pace to Outgrow Every European Union Economy in 2012.
24. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Andrei Bunich, Creating demand at home. Russia's efforts to diversify the economy must focus on creating demand for modernization at home rather than only exporting products abroad.
25. New York Times: A Whisper of Nuclear War Spurs a Sell-Off in a Russian Stock Market.
26. Moscow News: Russian Internet firms cash in on mega Facebook IPO.
27. Business New Europe: Nabucco is dead; long live Nabucco West.
28. Moscow Times: Chinese Seeking 'Beauty' in Russian Investment.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
29. RIA Novosti: Moscow Reiterates Missile Defense Threats.
30. Moscow Times: Medvedev Meets With Obama at G8 Summit.
31. BBC Monitoring: Medvedev says 'reset' with USA continues, his foreign policy views match Putin's.
32. Moscow Times: Vladimir Frolov, Farewell to Medvedev's Hapless Foreign Policy.
33. The Hill (Washington DC): Claims of Obama's 'secret deal' with Russia draw Democrats' ire.
34. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Jackson Diehl's Quest for a Hypocritical and Ineffective Russia Policy.
35. Izvestia: Historian Argues Russia Should Provide Iran With Military-Technical Assistance. (Stanislav Kholuntsev)
36. The National Interest: Robert Merry, Engaging Russia on Iran.
37. International Relations and Security Network (ISN): Samuel Bendett, Moscow's Vision for the Backyard. While Russia remains centrally important to most of the post-Soviet space, Moscow's direct influence across this region is far from assured.
OTHER RESOURCES
38. Kennan Institute event: The National Conversation: Putin's Return & US-Russian Reset. May 23 Washington DC.
39. Andrei Tsygankov: New book: Is Russia's foreign policy authoritarian & expansionist?
40. OSW (Poland) new report: Russia's best ally. The situation of the Russian oil sector and forecast for its future.
41. New Russian Analytical Digest: Energy.
42. New issue of Demokratizatsiya: The Journal of Post-Soviet Democratization.
[e-mail David Johnson to inquire about a subscription]
- Back to the Top -
Johnson's Russia List
2012-#89
16 May 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
JRL homepage: www.cdi.org/russia/johnson
JRL on Facebook: www.facebook.com/russialist
JRL on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JohnsonRussiaLi
Support JRL: www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/funding.phpYour source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Putin Appeals to Most Russians - Poll.
2. Russia & India Report/Ogoniok: Fyodor Lukyanov, Back to the future: Putin 2018. A utopian political experiment with an uneasy beginning and a happy ending. Fyodor Lukyanov takes a look at May 7, 2018.
3. Moscow Times: New Cabinet For Putin's Eyes Only.
4. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: CHANGING PLACES. MEMBERSHIP IN THE FUTURE GOVERNMENT IS KEPT A SECRET.
5. Business New Europe: Return of the tandem.
6. RIA Novosti: Russian Police Break Up Anti-Putin Camp, Activists Relocate.
7. Moscow Times: Court Orders Protest Camp Dismantled.
8. ITAR-TASS: Opposition plans to continue outdoor protest campaign until June 12.
9. Business New Europe: Julia Reed, MOSCOW BLOG: Occupy Abai - a revolution of nobodies.
10. Gazeta.ru: Rift Between Russian Silent Majority, Protesting Minority Seen as Positive. (Semen Novoprudskiy)
11. Osobaya Bukva: Leftist Activist Zhvaniya on Moscow, St. Petersburg Opposition Protests.
12. RIA Novosti: Russian MPs to Toughen Public Rally Rules.
13. Interfax: One Russia MP Urges Crackdown On Social Networks Over Recent Unrest.
14. Moskovskiye Novosti: DANGER FROM WITHIN. THE AUTHORITIES CONTEMPLATE ANOTHER BLOW AT NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION.
15. Osobaya Bukva: Analyst Sees Prokhorov 'Finished' as Politician. (Yevgeniy Gontmakher)
16. Mir Novostei: "TO DEFEAT CORRUPTION, ONE OUGHT TO WANT TO DO IT." An interview with Institute of Globalization Director Mikhail Delyagin.
17. Valdai Discussion Club: Alexei Malashenko, All is not quiet in Russian Islam.
18. Reuters: Russia's Patriarch launches Facebook page.
19. Moscow Times: Russian Satellite Takes Highest-Ever Resolution Picture of Earth.
ECONOMY
20. Interfax: Deterioration of economic situation in EU possible, Russia prepared - Ignatyev.
21. Russia Beyond the Headlines: A hundred steps upward to encourage business. Vladimir Putin has determined his main economic goal for his new presidential term for Russia to rise 100 places in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business rankings, from 120th to 20th.
22. Moscow News: Revised consumer basket draws criticism.
23. Moscow News: Bucking expectations, April capital outflow reaches $8 billion.
24. Russia Profile: Logistical Nightmares. World Bank Experts Say Businesses Still Face a Logistics Nightmare in Russia.
25. www.russiatoday.com: Russian pipeline projects to gain from Nabucco woes.
26. New York Times: A Russian Magnate's Facebook Bet Pays Off Big.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
27. Moscow Times: Putin Looks to Strengthen Ties With Former Soviet Neighbors.
28. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: COLLECTIVE DEFENSE AND THE CAUCASUS. EMPHASIS IN RUSSIA'S FOREIGN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES IS TO BE MADE ON THE CIS COLLECTIVE SECURITY TREATY ORGANIZATION.
29. Russia Beyond the Headlines: SCO as a counter to NATO? Although for many years the SCO treaded cautiously in making foreign policy statements, the organization is evolving.
30. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Blue berets to meet green ones. Russian Airborne Troops to experience joint military drills with American special forces in Colorado.
31. Kommersant: UNDER-SUMMIT. OFFICIAL MOSCOW: WASHINGTON'S REACTION TO THE NEWS THAT MEDVEDEV WILL BE GOING TO CAMP DAVID IS PREDICTABLE.
32. Kommersant: Former Deputy Foreign Minister Kunadze on Putin's NATO Meeting, G8 Summit Snub.
33. RIA Novosti: Putin-Obama Mutual Snubs Spell 'Reset' Crisis Analysts.
34. Christian Science Monitor: Kennette Benedict, Russia should be rewarded with NATO membership.
35. www.foreignpolicy.com: Alexander Kliment, Putin's G-8 snub could keep the U.S. and Russia talking.
36. www.foreignpolicy.com: Anders Aslund, Kick Russia Out of the G-8. If Putin doesn't want to come to Camp David, fine. He doesn't belong there anyway.
37. Washington Post: GOP won't let Obama's 'hot mike' cool.
38. Interfax: Moscow Warns of 'extremely Negative' Attitude to Possible Enforcement of Magnitsky List in U.S.
39. Wall Street Journal: Ukraine Premier Bristles at Russia, EU Criticism.
[e-mail David Johnson to inquire about a subscription]
- Back to the Top -
Johnson's Russia List
2012-#88
15 May 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
JRL homepage: www.cdi.org/russia/johnson
JRL on Facebook: www.facebook.com/russialist
JRL on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JohnsonRussiaLi
Support JRL: www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/funding.phpYour source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times: Time Is Running Out to Rent a Dacha.
2. RIA Novosti: Number of Happy Russians Rises to Record 82% Poll.
3. Gazeta.ru editorial: The happy protesters.
4. www.russiatoday.com: Drastic changes in govt won't touch key posts - analysts.
5. Moscow News: Factions jockey for Cabinet spots.
6. Kommersant: SURKOV HERE. Some light is shed on the membership in the future government.
7. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV veteran hosts discuss Putin's return, protests. ("Parfenov i Pozner")
8. Kommersant: Medvedev's Open Government System Deemed Futile by Experts.
9. Moscow Time: Konstatin Sonin, The Kremlin's Cognitive Dissonance.
10. Moscow Times: Georgy Satarov, Keeping the Protest Fire Burning.
11. RIA Novosti: Court Bans Anti-Putin 'Occupy' Camp in Moscow.
12. AP: Moscow's quiet protest a new tactic.
13. Moscow News: A political education. The 'Occupy-Abai' camp has seen activists questioning protest leaders' strategy.
14. Moscow Times: John Freedman, Walking with Readers and Writers.
15. Moskovskiye Novosti:Police View of Moscow Riots -- Interviewed OMON Fighters Give Their Side.
16. Gazeta.ru: NTV Allegedly Making Film About Oppositionists' Private Lives.
17. Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs: David Speedie, For Putin Redux, Time Will Tell.
18. Fair Observer: Gordon Hahn, PERESTROIKA 2.0 AND THE MOSCOW SPRING.
19. Moscow Times: Activists Score Victories in Preservation War, But More Battles Ahead.
20. Moscow Times: Marilyn Murray, Learning to Live Outside Stalin's House of Silence.
ECONOMY
21. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russians' Property Not Secure.
22. Russia Profile: Dreams of Leaps. Economists See Hard-to-Overcome Hurdles in the Implementation of President Vladimir Putin's Economic Agenda.
23. Interfax: Russian Govt Discussing How to Slash Share of State Property to Third By 2020 - Shuvalov.
24. Gazeta.ru: Pure capital drain $8bln in April, $43 bln in 2012.
25. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Ben Aris, Is Russia's capital flight problem all that bad?
26. National Public Radio: From Iowa To Russia, Tractors Build Economic Bridge.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
27. Reuters: U.S., Russian crew blast off for space station.
28. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Vasily Kashin, Russia's balancing act. It would be wrong to see Putin's refusal to attend the G8 summit at Camp David as a sign of an anti-Western turn in Russia's policy and a change of its priorities.
29. Christian Science Monitor: Fred Weir, Russians perplexed by Putin's snub of G8. Is it because of protests? Obama?
30. www.russiatoday.com: Putin and Obama 'snubs' should not fuel scandals Duma deputy. (Andrey Klimov)
31. AFP: NATO Chief Determined To Move Ahead With Missile Shield.
32. www.russiatoday.com: Sergey Strokan, Moscow between East and West.
33. Interfax: Mentor's tone of Western politicians with regard to Russia impermissible - Foreign Ministry.
34. Moscow Times: Russia Tries to Turn Tables on Human Rights.
35. Valdai Discussion Club: Alexei Vlasov, Russia, China, and the U.S. in Central Asia.
36. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: EXPECT NO WARM RECEPTION. THE UKRAINIAN LEADER IN BETWEEN POLITICAL DEMANDS FROM BRUSSELS AND ECONOMIC FROM RUSSIA.
37. Washington Post editorial: Ukraine's windfall offers freedom from Russia.
38. Interfax: Russian air defense systems deterring Western military intervention against Syria - experts.
39. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV reports on devastation and rebel atrocities in Hims, Syria.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#82
7 May 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Kremlin.ru: Vladimir Putin inaugurated as President of Russia.
2. ITAR-TASS: Putin takes over Russia's "nuclear briefcase"
3. RIA Novosti: Putin Returns to Kremlin Amid Protests.
4. Reuters: Putin pledges unity on return to Kremlin.
5. Wall Street Journal: Putin Sworn In Amid Crackdown.
6. www.russiatoday.com: Fyodor Lukyanov, Conservative Putin in unpredictable environment.
7. www.russiatoday.com: Putin reloaded or Putin reformed?
8. www.russiatoday.com: Robert Bridge, Back in the saddle, Putin faces uphill ride.
9. New York Times: In the Spotlight of Power, Putin Keeps His Private Life Veiled in Shadows.
10. Washington Post: Vladimir Putin returns to Russian presidency weaker than when he left it.
11. National Public Radio: A Different Russia Meets Putin's Third Term.
12. Moscow Times: On Eve of Inauguration, Mass Protest Ends in Violence.
13. BBC Monitoring: Kremlin spokesman urges Moscow police to take tougher line at rallies.
14. Interfax: Opposition Provocations, Police Flaws Led to Bolotnaya Square Clashes - Lukin.
15. ITAR-TASS: Kudrin: Authorities, opposition responsible for Bolotnay clashes.
16. Gazeta.ru editorial: Authorized riots.
17. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Anti-Putin Protests in Moscow: Things Are Getting Ugly.
18. Moskovskiye Novosti: SIX YEARS THAT WILL CHANGE THE COUNTRY. WHAT IS TO BE EXPECTED FROM VLADIMIR PUTIN'S PRESIDENCY?
19. ITAR-TASS: Medvedev signs instructions to promote civil society in Russia.
20. Moscow Times: Medvedev's Promise Largely Falls Short.
21. Novaya Gazeta: Russian Pundit Yurgens Discusses Medvedev's Legacy, Prospects under Putin.
22. Valdai Discussion Club: Richard Sakwa, The Medvedev presidency: Unfinished business.
23. www.russiatoday.com: Robert Bridge, Medvedev leaves behind legacy of reform.
24. Gazeta.ru: Russian Pundit: Medvedev Presidency 'Wasted Four Years' of Russia's Life. (Liliya Shevtsova)
25. AP: As Russia's Medvedev says farewell, AP looks at his presidency - through his tweets.
26. Moscow Times: Daniel Treisman, Opposition Needs to Appeal to the 'Real Russia'
27. RBC Daily: MINISTRY OF FEAR. Reforms or not, the Russian retained their distrust of the police.
ECONOMY
28. Reuters: Fearful of Putin, rich flee Russian art market.
29. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Aleksander Bryantsev, Does Russia's investment legislation work well? Despite the fact that today Russia offers many opportunities for foreign investors, the country still remains unpredictable and risky for doing business.
30. The Real News Network: Russia's "Jurassic Capitalism." Part 1 of Aleksandr Buzgalin's presentation on Russian Economy.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
31. Reuters: Putin says ready to "go far" in U.S. relations: Ifax.
32. Moscow Times editorial: Russia's Last Warnings to Washington.
33. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Russia and Norway's Increasing Cooperation in the Arctic.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#79
30 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Kommersant: MAY DEMONSTRATION. TRADE UNIONS, COMMUNISTS, NATIONALISTS, AND NON-PARTIZANS WILL OCCUPY CENTRAL MOSCOW ON MAY 1.
2. Moscow Times: Medvedev Accepts Top Party Job.
3. RIA Novosti: Politicians Believe One Russia's Days Are Numbered; Pundit Disagrees.
4. RBC Daily: WATCHER. VLADISLAV SURKOV IS TO BECOME UNITED RUSSIA'S CURATOR.
5. Novye Izvestia: LET PRESIDENT DECIDE. MOST RUSSIANS SUPPORT THE IDEA OF FILTERS IN THE LAW ON GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS.
6. Kommersant: Experts Cited on Outlook for Putin-Medvedev Tandem.
7. Moscow News: Bloggers replacing bureaucrats.
8. www.russiatoday.com: Medvedev tells HR council to look beyond media-spun cases.
9. Interfax: Panfilova Quits Human Rights Council.
10. Moscow News: On judging the judges. The Moscow courts need their moral authority back or else public anger will grow.
11. Moscow News: Konstantin von Eggert, The church vs. itself. In the wake of recent scandals, the Orthodox Church needs genuine public dialogue.
12. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Sergey Dzyuba, Between Poklonnaya and Bolotnaya -- Society Has Split Not Politically But by Method of Perceiving Reality.
13. Green Left Weekly (Australia): A Russian Spring? Voices from Russia's progressive opposition.
14. Novaya Gazeta: Vladimir Pastukhov, RUNNING RISKS WITH RUSSIA. RUSSIA HAS TO CHANGE OR IT WILL SIMPLY DISAPPEAR.
15. New York Times: Masha Gessen, Invisible President.
16 Sergei Roy: Self-defense in Moscow.
ECONOMY
17. Moscow News: Road maps and reality. Analysts are skeptical about how successful Putin's road maps to improve the business climate will be.
18. Interfax: Russian president endorses environmental development policy.
19. Moscow News: Study removes WTO doubts.
20. Moscow Times: Frank-Jürgen Richter, Skolkovo May Help Russia to Diversify.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
21. Vedomosti: PREPARING TO EMERGE FROM SHADOWS. CHINA ATTACHES CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE TO COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA IN INTERNATIONAL MATTERS.
22. Moscow Times editorial: How to Get Autocrats to Bend. (re Magnitsky act)
23. The New Times: "LONGING FOR A NEW COUNTRY." AN INTERVIEW WITH LEON ARON, DIRECTOR OF RUSSIAN STUDIES AT THE AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE AND MITT ROMNEY'S ADVISOR.
24. Voice of America: James Brooke, Join Russia and USA by Rail Tunnels under the Bering Strait?
LONG ITEM
25. Kremlin.ru: Interview to Russian TV networks. (conclusion)
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#78
27 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Russky Reporter: Making Russians laugh. In Russia, humor is a form of social therapy; it helps to expose social absurdity, unite people or reveal their identities.
2. Christian Science Monitor: Fred Weir, Medvedev's legacy in Russia: small victories in Putin's shadows. Despite making little headway on corruption or human rights, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev did change Russia. 'The ice began to melt and Putin won't be able to refreeze it,' said one expert.
3. www.russiatoday.com: Medvedev agrees to lead United Russia.
4. Interfax: Medvedev calls on United Russia not to dramatize competition.
5. Interfax: Putin Wins Presidency in Elections; Positions Are Not Exchanged - Medvedev.
6. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: CONSERVATIVELY, WITH MODERNIZATION FORGOTTEN. Dmitry Medvedev met with journalists representing five TV networks.
7. Interfax: Russian Interior Ministry Reform Just Begins - Medvedev.
8. BBC Monitoring: Russian President Explains U-Turn on Governor Elections.
9. New York Times: Medvedev, Unscripted, Admits Disappointments.
10. RBC Daily: REARRANGEMENT. PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION IS BEING REARRANGED FOR VLADIMIR PUTIN.
11. Moscow Times: Poll: Putin Expected to Ignore Middle Class as President.
12. Kommersant: FOURTH TERM OF OFFICE. Sociologists: The Russians will elect Putin again and again.
13. Kommersant: Commentator: Interest in Big-League Politics Declining in Russia. (Vladimir Petukhov)
14. Kommersant: SENATORS TRUST PUTIN. SENATORS EXPECT PUTIN HIMSELF TO SUBMIT THE DRAFT LAW ON ELECTION OF THE FEDERATION COUNCIL.
15. Moscow News: Critics decry governor bill.
16. Gazeta.ru: Commentator Considers Medvedev 'Weakness' As President. (Andrey Ryabov)
17. The Economist: Russia's outgoing president. Dmitry's farewell.
18. Moscow Times: Alexei Pankin, How Pensioners Can Make Elections Honest.
19. RFE/RL: Battle With Moscow Mayor's Office Illustrates Russia's New Politics.
ECONOMY
20. Moscow Times: Economic Forecast Held Hostage to Putin.
21. Bloomberg: Goldman Says Russia Must Revamp Market in Investment Jostle.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
22. Interfax: No irritants in Russia-China relations - Putin.
23. Vedomosti; Nikolai Zlobin, Russia's Place in the World.
24. Moscow Times: Ruslan Pukhov, The U.S. Obsession With Absolute Security.
25. Valdai Discussion Club: Mikhail Troitskiy, Humanitarian agenda still divides Russia and the United States.
26. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Eugene Ivanov, Magnitsky for Jackson-Vanik: A fair trade? More and more it is becoming clear that for the Jackson-Vanik amendment to be lifted, something must be put in its place to remind Russia that the U.S. will never see it as an equal partner. Many see the Magnitsky Bill as a viable replacement.
27. Bloomberg: Obama Should Move Quickly on Russia Trade Status, Camp Says.
28. Washington Post: In U.S.-Russia deal, nuclear communication system may be used for cybersecurity.
29. Russia Profile Weekly Experts Panel: Does Russia Have a Strategy for Breakaway States? Introduced by Vladimir Frolov. Contributors: Patrick Armstrong, Vladimir Belaeff, Dick Krickus.
30. Russia Profile: Out of the Woodwork. Moscow Has No Illusions about Uniting Syria's Fractious Opposition.
LONG ITEM
31. Kremlin.ru: Interview to Russian TV networks.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#77
26 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: Fyodor Lukyanov, Jury Still Out on Boris Yeltsin.
2. Russia Profile: The Home Stretch. Days Before His Departure As President, Dmitry Medvedev Is Still Trying to Influence His Legacy.
3. AP: Medvedev predicts long life for tandem with Putin.
4. RIA Novosti: Medvedev Admits Failure in Fight against Corruption.
5. RIA Novosti: One Man Rule Bad for Russia Medvedev (Wrap).
6. www.russiatoday.com: We've progressed in civil freedoms Medvedev.
7. Kommersant: "NO MORE EQUALITY WITHIN TANDEM." Interviews with Igor Yurgens of the Institute of Contemporary Development and Gleb Pavlovsky of the Effective Politics Foundation.
8. Interfax: Zyuganov Thinks Medvedev's Liberalism Contradicts United Russia Principles.
9. Moscow News: Peskov replies to criticism of bureaucracy in Russian laundries.
10. Kommersant: PARTY OF THE GOING. POLLSTERS SAY THAT FEWER AND FEWER RUSSIAN RETAIN FAITH IN UNITED RUSSIA OR ITS POLITICAL FUTURE.
11. Interfax: Russian MPs Pass Bill On Governor Polls, Keep Tough Candidate Registration Rules.
12. Interfax: Russian Parliamentary Opposition Slams New Law On Governor Elections.
13. Moscow Times: Georgy Bovt, Why Presidential Filters Are No Longer Needed.
14. Interfax: Putin Wins Elections Big And Europe Will Have to Accept This - PACE President.
15. Bloomberg: Putin's Reversal of Democracy Pledge Risks New Protest Wave.
16. The Oxford Student (UK): Saket Kumar, Expert View: Problems with Putin?
17. RFE/RL: Brian Whitmore, The End Of The Party.
18. Valdai Discussion Club: Olga Kryshtanovskaya, Is Prokhorov creating another party for the bourgeoisie?
19. Novye Izvestia: KHODORKOVSKY TO BECOME ADVISER. Newly-hatched Left Alliance will use Mikhail Khodorkovsky as adviser.
20. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Some Moscow Municipal Formations' Work Said 'Paralyzed' by Independent Deputies.
21. Interfax: Russian Lawyer's Call for Shari'ah Courts Met With Condemnation.
22. Moscow Times: Poetry and Profits Elusive in Russian Garbage.
ECONOMY
23. Russia Profile: Saying Goodbye. Economists Summed Up President Dmitry Medvedev's Economic Legacy.
24. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Ian Pryde, Medvedev's address: Nice words, little action. In possibly his last address to the State Council, Dmitry Medvedev announced big plans for Russia's economic future, but as usual, the key lies in implementation.
26. Moscow Times: Vekselberg Wants Medvedev in Skolkovo's Future.
27. BBC Monitoring: Putin's club for Russian business leaders up and running.
28. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russian Experts Sceptical about Former Finance Minister Kudrin's New Proposals.
29. Vedomosti editorial: COLONIZER. GENERAL PUBLIC AND EXPERTS ARE SKEPTICAL OF THE IDEA TO SET UP A STATE CORPORATION FOR SIBERIA ND FAR EAST DEVELOPMENT.
30. Bloomberg: Leonid Bershidsky, Porsches, Peacocks and Taxing Luxury in Russia and Ukraine.
31. Interfax: SUMMARY: Welcome to The Shelf, But No Trespassing. (re Rosneft/ExxonMobil/Eni)
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
32. RIA Novosti: No Need to Demonize America, Says Medvedev.
33. Interfax: US Missile Defence In Europe Will Disrupt Stability From 2017 - Russian CGS.
34. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Russia and NATO in hot water. While NATO and Russia still view each other warily over missile defense, Russian experts - Victor Litovkin and Yevgeny Shestakov - don't see any significant progress in resolving this stand-off and warn against starting another arm race.
35. RIA Novosti: Syria Situation 'Improving' Russian Foreign Ministry.
36. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Moscow Concerned About Tymoshenko.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#76
25 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. BBC Monitoring: Russian talk show ponders individual's relations with state.
2. AP: Kremlin bill passes in parliament, but barely.
3. Moscow Times: Putin Quits United Russia and Urges Medvedev to Take Control.
4. Vedomosti: SUCCESSOR. DMITRY MEDVEDEV WILL REPLACE VLADIMIR PUTIN A UNITED RUSSIA LEADER.
5. BBC Monitoring: Outgoing president hails Russia's post-crisis economic achievements.
6. Moscow Times: Medvedev Outlines 'Ideology of Development'
7. Izvestia: FREEDOM NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN. DMITRY MEDVEDEV OUTLINED HIS FUTURE TASKS AND PRIORITIES.
8. Russia Profile: The Party's New Boss. Medvedev May Not Be Up to the Task of Rescuing United Russia.
9. Interfax: Next Govt Will Cautiously Continue Putin's Course - Yurgens.
10. Interfax: Russian Pundits Question Medvedev's Anti Corruption Drive, Democracy Claim.
11. BBC Monitoring: Pundits forecast changes, difficulties for One Russia with leaders' latest swap.
12. RBC Daily: DISPUTE. THE PARLIAMENTARY OPPOSITION IS BARGAINING WITH THE KREMLIN.
13. Russia Profile: Back to Basics. Will More Street Protests Replace the Opposition's Long-Term Plans?
14. BBC Monitoring: Talk show eyes draft law on rallies, opposition's wins in mayoral polls.
15. Echo Moscow: Nikolai Zlobin, Leadership in Russia Back to the 90's.
16. Valdai DIscussion Club: Boris Nemtsov, Russia's future depends entirely on the level of protest, not Putin.
17. Gazeta.ru: Soviet-Style 'Mature Nomenklatura System' Seen As Heavy Burden on State.
18. Interfax: Russian Social Democrats Unite Into Left Alliance.
19. Moscow Times: Education Reform Protested by Students and Opposition.
20. Interfax: Current threats to children in Russia comparable to menaces of war - Astakhov.
21. Moscow Times: The Russian Nobel Prize Awarded in Yaroslavl
ECONOMY
22. Interfax: Shadow economy in Russia shrinks to 15%, statistics show.
23. Interfax: Shuvalov Urges Major Improvements in Economic Regulation.
24. Wall Street Journal: Corruption Seen as Russia's Top Problem.
25. Moscow Times: Anders Aslund, Putin's New Economic Liberalism.
26. Interfax: New Budget Regulations Do Not Sufficiently Reduce Dependence on Oil And Gas - Kudrin.
27. Russia Profile: Pampering Pensioners. The Russian Government Tries to Figure out How to Reduce the Country's Ballooning Pension Fund Deficit.
28. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Who wants to be a millionaire? Most Russians can only dream of living the high life, but they have firm ideas of what they would buy if they could afford luxuries.
29. Moscow Times: Russian Businesses Losing From Language Inadequacies.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
30. Rossiiskaya Gazeta: THREAT. RUSSIA OBJECTS TO WASHINGTON'S HOPES TO EXPAND MILITARY PRESENCE IN CENTRAL ASIA.
31. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Students launched the second round of the U.S.-Russia reset. Russia and American participants in the 2012 SURF conference recently completed the second of two sessions at Stanford University.
32. Stratfor.com: George Friedman, Russia's Strategy.
LONG ITEM
33. Kremlin.ru: Expanded meeting of the State Council. (Medvedev)
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#75
24 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. AP: Russia's Medvedev vows to continue modernization.
2. RIA Novosti: Medvedev Hails 'More Open' Society.
3. Reuters: Putin steps down as United Russia party chief.
4. www.russiatoday.com: Putin stepping down as United Russia leader, puts forward Medvedev.
5. www.russiatoday.com: Medvedev spoke as future PM experts.
6. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Stanislav Belkovskiy, Give Putin the Nobel Prize; for Kindness and Charity and for Perestroyka-2, Which Will Certainly Take Place Under Him.
7. The Guardian (UK): Miriam Elder, The hell of Russian bureaucracy.
8. Kommersant: ALL SET AND READY. SOON-TO-BE-INSTALLED GOVERNMENT: NOTHING REALLY NEW IS TO BE EXPECTED.
9. Izvestia: LEAVING SHUVALOV IN THE GOVERNMENT. IGOR SHUVALOV WILL REMAIN THE SENIOR DEPUTY PREMIER IN THE FUTURE GOVERNMENT OF RUSSIA.
10. Vedomosti: PUTIN WILL DECIDE. THE LAW ON DIRECT GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS IS ABOUT TO BE ADOPTED.
11. Interfax: Ex Minister's Group Slams Plan To Water Down Russian Gubernatorial Election Bill. (Aleksey Kudrin)
12. Moscow Times: Medvedev Pardons Opposition Icon.
13. Interfax: Fedotov Hopes Medvedev Will Pardon More People.
14. AFP: Russian opposition member to end 40-day hunger strike.
15. RIA Novosti: Russian Pundits Divided Over Success Of Ex Mayoral Hopeful's Hunger Strike.
16. RFE/RL: The Political Metamorphosis Of Oleg Shein.
17. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: MOVEMENTS TODAY, PARTIES TOMORROW. PRACTICALLY NOBODY IN THE POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT EXPECTS A SNAP PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION.
18. Valdai Discussion Club: Piotr Dutkiewicz, Opposition in Russia: Struggle for leadership.
19. RIA Novosti: Prokhorov Gathers Breath to Cut Kremlin Ties Analysts.
20. Kommersant: COUNSEL FROM EUROPE. The PACE discussed presidential election in Russia. RUSSIAN OPPOSITION IS ADVISED TO CHOOSE ITS LEADER AND STRATEGY.
21. Moscow News editorial: Catch-22 bureaucracy.
22. BBC Monitoring: Veteran hosts lament 'pointless' public TV, probe Navalnyy about power. (Parfenov and Pozner)
23. Moscow News: Mark Galeotti, The unshocking suspects. A new body policing the Russian police will increase Putin's control over cops and prosecutors.
24. Interfax: Kudrin opposes draft legislation on development of Siberia, Far East.
25. Moscow News: A Far East 'oprichnina.' Plans for a Far East development company look like a state within a state, analysts say.
26. RIA Novosti: Russia to Draft New Defense Industry Concept by Yearend.
27. Moscow Times: Alexander Golts, The Miracle-Industrial Complex.
28. Christian Science Monitor: Fred Weir, Is Russia's Orthodox Church privileged or persecuted?
29. Russia Beyond the Headlines: The Russian Orthodox Church won't be silent. The Russian Orthodox Church has found itself the center of attention in the international press lately, and not necessarily for all the right reasons.
30. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Stalin notebooks: Internet meme, or provocation?
ECONOMY
31. Moscow News: Russia to pay in $10bln to IMF. The money earlier promised by Medvedev will help bail out stricken European economies.
32. Moscow Times/Vedomosti: There's More to Success Than Fancy Cars.
33. Bloomberg: Russia to Decide on Pension Overhaul This Year, Medvedev Says.
34. Moscow News: TNK-BP targeted. Accusations of environmental violations against TNK-BP are politically motivated, analysts say.
35. Moscow Times: Resetting U.S. Relations in Parts. (cars)
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
36. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Fyodor Lukyanov, Eighth grade foreign policy. Will Russia's relations with the West under Vladimir Putin consist of doing business with people he likes and relying on Dmitry Medvedev to pass notes?
37. Moscow Times: NATO Bigwig Headed to Moscow for Missile Defense Talks.
38. Bloomberg: Russian Ambassador Says U.S. Rights Bill May Undermine Relations.
39. Russia: Other Points of View: William Dunkerly, THE LITVINENKO CONTAMINATION CASE IS CONTAMINATED.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#74
23 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Scientist tells Putin about future ice age.
2. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Commentary Calls for Dismantling of Russia's Corrupt 'Informal Institutions'
3. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV shows scathing report about corruption in Defence Ministry.
4. BBC Monitoring: State TV looks at scale of corruption in Russian space industry.
5. Interfax: Russian League Of Voters Asks For Probe Into Presidential Election Results.
6. ITAR-TASS: State Duma to discuss premier's candidacy on May 8.
7. www.russiatoday.com: Communists to vote against Medvedev as PM.
8. RIA Novosti: Medvedev Pardons Man Jailed for Attacking Police Officer at Rally.
9. Moskovskiye Novosti: Opposition Members Could Be Appointed Governors.
10. Moscow Times: Elections Chief Admits Astrakhan Violations.
11. Interfax: Lukin Reports Serious Electoral Violations in Astrakhan After Viewing Videos.
12. Kommersant: OLEG SHEIN THINKS THAT HE HAS ACHIEVED EVERYTHING. But he is going to continue the hunger strike indefinitely.
13. Washington Post: Russia's tech-savvy opposition goes old school.
14. Gazeta.ru: Yuriy Korgunyuk, Doping and Borjomi; In the Next Few Years Authorities Will Have To Retreat Under Pressure From Opposition Sentiments.
15. Interfax: Nationalist Party Being Set Up in Russia.
16. www.opendemocracy.net: Ilya Azar, Sergei Udaltsov: has the Russian left found its new leader?
17. Moscow Times: Vladimir Frolov, After Vote, Putin is Full of Cynicism and Deceit.
18. Moscow Times: Artemy Troitsky, Don't Accept the Status Quo.
19. Reuters: Orthodox Church under attack-Russian Patriarch.
20. In Moscow's Shadows: Mark Galeotti, Waiting for the Bastryshchina?
21. Moscow News: Russia to create 'parallel government' in Far East.
22. RIA Novosti: Feed Them and Beat Them: Homeless in Moscow.
ECONOMY
23. Interfax: Situation in World Economy Improves But It's Too Early to Relax - Siluanov.
24. Interfax: Legislation to improve Russian investment climate needs to be adopted in 2012 - Shuvalov.
25. Russia Profile: Kudrin's April Thesis. Former Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin Gives the Russian Government a Laundry List of Policies to Keep the Economy Humming.
26. Itogi: FROM OFFICE TO JAIL. PROSECUTION OF BUSINESSMEN COSTS THE RUSSIAN STATE DEARLY. Three million businessmen imprisoned over a decade.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
27. BBC Monitoring: Russia says accord on US missile defence possible but not any time soon. (interview with Deputy Defence Minister Anatoliy Antonov)
28. Washington Post: Henry A. Kissinger and Brent Scowcroft, Nuclear weapon reductions must be part of strategic analysis.
29. Voice of America: James Brooke, Kremlin TV Channel to US: No Reset.
30. ITAR-TASS: RF rendering all-round weighty aid to Afghanistan.
31. Interfax: Ulyanovsk Governor Slams Communists For 'NATO Base Propaganda'
32. BBC Monitoring: TV looks at Russia's options in event of war against Iran.
33. Argumenty Nedeli: Russian Editorial Mulls Impact on Caucasus of Possible US-Israeli Strike on Iran.
34. Interfax: Pundit Suggests Outcome of Elections in France Won't Affect Moscow-Paris Relations. (Vyacheslav Nikonov)
35. Asia Times: M K Bhadrakumar, A fly in China's Russian ointment.
36. Foreign Policy: Thomas de Waal, How Gogol* Explains the Post-Soviet World (*And Chekhov and Dostoyevsky.) The case for (re)reading Russia's greatest literary classics.
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2012-#73
20 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: Russia to Ban Smoking Indoors.
2. RIA Novosti: Russian Gov't Plans 'Far Eastern Republic' Paper.
3. www.russiatoday.com: Russians want Lenin reburied.
4. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: SURKOV WILL HELP MEDVEDEV with the apparat. INVESTING ADDITIONAL POWERS IN THE FUTURE PREMIER IS CONSIDERED.
5. www.russiatoday.com: 'State reform key priority for new cabinet' - Kudrin.
6. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Commentators, Others Cited on Medvedev Public TV Proposal.
7. RIA Novosti: Presenter Pozner Slams Public TV Idea as State Mouthpiece.
8. RIA Novosti: Russian President Says Authorities Shouldn't Act On Every Top Twitter Trend.
9. Wall Street Journal: Kostin on Putin: Ice Hockey and Fresh Faces.
10. www.russiatoday.com: Igor Panarin, Post-election Russia: Putin's new ideology.
11. RIA Novosti: Konstantin von Eggert, Struggle Between Opposition, Kremlin Moves to Regions.
12. The Economist: Russia's opposition. The prisoner of Astrakhan. Protesters against Vladimir Putin's rule look with new hope to Russia's regions.
13. The Ivanov Report: Eugene Ivanov, Crisis management.
14. RFE/RL: Brian Whitmore, The Winds Of Slow Change.
15. Interfax: Russian Supreme Court Paves Way For Republican Party Registration.
16. Moscow News: Police oversight agency hailed.
17. Russia Profile: A Torturous Wait. The Investigative Committee Has Set Up a Division to Plumb Cases of Police Brutality, but Its Objectivity is Far From Guaranteed.
18. Human Rights Watch: Russia: A Move to Investigate Police Abuses. New Unit Needs Independence, Robust Mandate, Resources.
19. Moscow Times editorial: Mayor Shows Expats He's No Luzhkov.
20. Interfax: Almost 90% of Russian Citizens Support Ban on Homosexual "propaganda" - Poll.
21. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Court extendes term of custody for Pussy Riot members till June 24.
22. Interfax: Church Warns Against Reforms Without Consulting The People.
23. Russia Profile Weekly Experts Panel: The Russian Orthodox Church Faces Public Pressure. Introduced by Vladimir Frolov. Contributors: Vladimir Belaeff, Eric Kraus, Nicolai Petro.
24. New York Times: A Spate of Teenage Suicides Alarms Russians.
ECONOMY
25. Moscow News: Spending showdown looms.
26. Moskovsky Komsomolets: Retirement Age in Russia to Be Raised to 63.
27. BBC Monitoring: Russian health minister, industrialist discuss pension reform in talk show. (Tatyana Golikova and Igor Yurgens)
28. Moscow Times: Forbes Shows $52Bln Decline in Russia's Richest.
29. Moscow Times: Oil Giants' Deal Gets Mixed Reviews.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
30. RIA Novosti: Russia Least Approved World Power Poll.
31. Moscow Times: Moscow May Skip NATO Summit.
32. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Russia and NATO in dispute on misssile defence.
33. Interfax: Russia, USA Can Discuss Tactical Nukes Only From Equal Positions - Lavrov.
34. RIA Novosti: Updated Magnitsky Act Introduced in U.S. Congress.
35. Moscow Times: Michael Bohm, Obama's Useless Bout Trophy.
36. RIA Novosti: Syria on Brink of Civil War Russia.
37. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Artur Blinov, The Shadow of the Libyan Operation Over Syria -- Humanitarian Interventions as a Means to Reshape the Map of the Near East.
38. Bloomberg: Putin Pins Hope on Syria Cease-Fire to Combat U.S. Supremacy.
39. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Dmitry Babich, Strange bedfellows escaping the unipolar world. Can BRICS, an organization uniting such different countries as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, become a player in international politics?
40. Valdai Discussion Club: Alexei Fenenko, Can Russia play an active part in the Pacific game?
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2012-#72
19 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow News: Russia's Internet use surges.
2. www.russiatoday.com: Internet censorship 'useless' - Medvedev.
3. ITAR-TASS: Putin to be inaugurated under same scenario as Medvedev in 2008.
4. Rossiiskaya Gazeta: HEARING THEM ALL. VLADIMIR PUTIN MEANS TO MAKE THE PEOPLE'S LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE AS A WORKING INSTRUMENT.
5. BBC Monitoring: Russia's Putin confirms move to give public more say in shaping laws.
6. Izvestia: TWO-LEVEL EXPERT STRUCTURE. THE FUTURE PREMIER IS OUT TO FORM A GOVERNMENT'S PUBLIC COUNCIL.
7. Interfax: Medvedev: Protest Movement Not Shaped in Russia Yet.
8. Moscow News: Medvedev's public TV raises questions.
9. Russia Profile: Viewers Like You. Public Television in Russia May End Up Satisfying No One.
10. Moscow Times/Vedomosti: Kremlin Direct Elections Quickly Become Indirect.
11. Wall Street Journal: Having Vowed Reform, Kremlin Said to Dilute It.
12. The Australian: Anatol Lieven, Protests aside, the people chose Putin.
13. Valdai Discussion Club: Vitaly Tretyakov, Wind of Political Change in Russia.
14. www.opendemocracy.net: Vladimir Zvonovsky, Russia: is change really inevitable?
15. ITAR-TASS: Russia's protest movement spreads to provinces.
16. Novye Izvestia: THEY COULD AND THEY DID. POLITICAL SCIENTISTS AND EXPERTS WARN THAT PROTESTS WILL CONTINUE.
17. Izvestia: "THERE ARE BUT THREE IDEOLOGIES. ALL THE REST ARE HOAXES." An interview with CPRF leader Gennadi Zyuganov.
18. Interfax: Khodorkovsky: Law Enforcement in Russia Should Be Cut, Motivated to Fight Real Crime.
19. Interfax: Kudrin's Organization Will Initiate Pubic Debate, Address Various Authorities.
20. Interfax: Blogger Alexei Navalny Intends to Help Party Development Using Electronic Democracy.
21. Moscow Times: Navalny Makes Time Magazine List of World's 100 Most Influential People.
22. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: NEMTSOV VS KASIANOV. ORGANIZATIONALLY. An update on the non-parliamentary opposition.
23. Washington Post: Russian lawmakers target gay 'propaganda'
24. Wall Street Journal book review: Lesley Chamberlain, Between Belief and Despair. A group of thinkers tried to explain Russia to a West that could understand it only in terms of "communism" or "freedom." (re Doubt, Atheism, and the Nineteenth-Century Russian Intelligentsia by Victoria Frede)
ECONOMY
25. Moscow News: Putin leans towards fiscal austerity.
26. Novye Izvestia: FIGHTING AGAIN. RUSSIA SPENDS MORE THAN ANY OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRY ON WEAPONS AND LESS ON PUBLIC HEALTH.
27. Interfax: Structural Reform Goals Should Trump Revenues in Privatization Decisions - Shuvalov.
28. Moskovskiye Novosti: Foreign Experts on Russia's Development Prospects.
29. Moscow Times: Martin Gilman, Putin's Pipedreams Recycled.
30. Wall Street Journal: Russian Energy Czar Sees Key Role for Foreign Firms.
31. Moscow Times: Bruce Misamore, Why the Exxon Deal Stinks.
32. RIA Novosti: Tycoon Usmanov Tops Russian Forbes Rich List.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
33. Valdai Discussion Club: Dmitry Suslov, Cancellation of the Chicago summit suits Russian, U.S. interests.
34. Moscow Times: Lavrov Assails NATO on Eve of Key Talks.
35. Kommersant: ARMED FORCES AND MEANS. THE TIME FOR REACHING A COMPROMISE ON MISSILE SHIELDS IS RUNNING OUT.
36. Interfax: Russia Should Abstain From New Arms Race With NATO - Pundit. (Leontiy Shevtsov)
37. AP: Russia slams NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan.
38. Vedomosti: Sergei Karaganov, Convergence the Other Way Round.
39. The National Interest: Jeffrey Mankoff, What a Eurasian Union Means for Washington.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#71
17 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Vedomosti: Aleksei Levinson, CRACKDOWNS. SOCIOLOGISTS: SOCIETY WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT AUTHORITARIANISM IN THE NAME OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
2. Interfax: Russian on Verge of Moral 'catastrophe" - Filmmakers.
3. Christian Science Monitor: F. Stephen Larrabee, Russia protests are overblown by West. Putin is here to stay.
4. Russia Profile: It Takes a Murder. The Tragic Murder of a Muslim Activist Masks Measured Optimism Over Hate Crimes.
5. Argumenty Nedeli: Political, Business Figures Comment on Putin's Report to Duma. (Aleksandr Shokhin, Oksana Dmitriyeva, Olga Kryshtanovskaya, and Ivan Melnikov)
6. RIA Novosti: Government Not Open Enough Yet Medvedev.
7. www.russiatoday.com: It's official: Russia gets Public TV.
8. Interfax: Medvedev: There are no filters for candidates in bill on gubernatorial elections.
9. Moscow News: Party law is 'Surkov's kiss'
10. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The bill on gubernatorial elections is overgrowing with reactionary amendments.
11. Interfax: Russian Opposition MP Names Date For Launch Of New Social Democratic Movement. (Gennadiy Gudkov)
12. Moscow Times: Nikolai Petrov, The Kremlin's Filter Facade.
13. Moscow Times: Vladimir Ryzhkov, Putin's Latest Mockery.
14. Russia: Other Points of View: Gordon Hahn, Perestroika 2.0 as Democratic Transition.
15. RBC Daily: WHITE AND RED. EXPERT: THE OPPOSITION IS GETTING RESTIVE AGAIN.
16. Interfax: Activists Continue To Support Russian Hunger Strikers, Officials Slam Protest.
17. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV veterans laud hunger-striking politician in Sunday night discussion.
18. BBC Monitoring: Russian NTV's talk show discusses Astrakhan protest.
19. BBC Monitoring: Russian experts divided on Google founder's fears for Internet freedom.
20. Washington Post: Russian woman honored in fight to save forest. (Yevgenia Chirikova)
21. Interfax: Almost Half Of Russians Consider Punk Band Stunt Hooliganism - Poll.
22. Moscow Times: Marilyn Murray, Why Many Russians Feel They Are Nothing.
ECONOMY
23. RIA Novosti: Putin Thanks Kudrin for Effective Financial Policy During Crisis.
24. Russia Profile: Looking Forward. The Future Would Be Bright for the Russian Economy If Only the Kremlin Were Willing to Reform.
25. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: BEIJING CORNERED PUTIN. CHINA CAPITALIZED ON RUSSIA'S FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING IMMATURE FINANCIAL SYSTEM, MONOPOLISM, AND ABSENCE OF COMPETITION.
26. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The retirement age will not be raised, but the Russians will be made to work longer.
27. Vedomosti: Ex-Finance Minister Kudrin, Economic Expert Gurvich on Pension Reform.
28. Valdai Discussion Club: Mikhail Delyagn, Super-rich expected to multiply in Russia.
29. New York Times: Exxon and Russia's Oil Company in Deal for Joint Projects.
30. Interfax: Khodorkovsky Backs Luxury Tax, Says Flat Tax Scale Must Be Scrapped.
31. Moscow News: The long and winding road. Solutions for Moscow's gridlock problems go beyond new roads and bus lanes to the competitiveness of alternatives to cars.
32. Moscow News: Lenfilm on the rocks.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
33. Interfax: Our sovereignty, world peace depend on our nuclear shield - Russian patriarch.
34. RIA Novosti: Russia 3rd Largest Military Spender Worldwide Analysts.
35. Interfax: Russia-NATO Council still has a lot of potential - Russian diplomat.
36. Russia Beyond the Headlines: More talks on Iran to start in Istanbul. Discussions between Iran and members of the UN Security Council are set to begin again. Is there any indication things will change this time around?
37. Russia Beyond the Headlines: NATO owes the UN an explanation. Before withdrawing from Afghanistan, Russia wants NATO to describe how the mission it carried out under the UN mandate has been fulfilled.
38. Kommersant: "QUARTET WILL BE NICE." An interview with Andrei Klimov, Duma's Committee for International Affairs Assistant Chairman and Eurasian Dialogue coordinator.
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2012-#70
16 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
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"We don't see things as they are, but as we are"
In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: Half of Russians Say Intelligentsia Gone.
2. Interfax: Russia Needs New Model of Governance Based on Public Involvement - Gref.
3. Vedomosti: PREPARING ANOTHER CASTLING. UNITED RUSSIA LEADERSHIP IS PART OF THE RECOMPENSE TO DMITRY MEDVEDEV FOR RESIGNATION AS PRESIDENT.
4. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Another region governor dismissed.
5. Vedomosti: FILTER FOR WHOEVER DOES NOT BELONG. UNITED RUSSIA IS TURNING THE LAW ON GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS INTO A TRULY DRACONIAN LEGISLATION.
6. Moscow Times: Calls for Top Cop's Head Falls on Deaf Ears.
7. Interfax: Russian Human Rights Council Not Impressed With Police Reform.
8. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Confrontation between authorities and opposition over Astrakhan elections continues.
9. Moskovskiye Novosti: EATING ONE'S WAY TO VICTORY. OLEG SHEIN MAY DESTROY THE POWER VERTICAL WITH THE CENTRAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION BEING ITS ELEMENT.
10. RBC Daily: PUTIN'S ADVISORS. LEADERS OF SOME HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS REFUSE TO WORK WITH THE NEW PRESIDENT.
11. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Commentator Sees TV Star Sobchak Becoming 'Serious Oppositionist.'. (Stanislav Belkovskiy)
12. Moscow Times: Legislators' Income Statements Reveal Wealth.
13. Bloomberg: Russia Probes Politkovskaya's 2006 Murder, Denies Case Progress.
14. The Guardian: Nervous Kremlin seeks to purge Russia's internet of 'western' influences.
15. Slon.ru: Russian Federal TV Channels Employees, Past/Present, on Censorship, TV Practices.
ECONOMY
16. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Economic Development Ministry proposes government two variants for boosting Russia's economy.
17. Business New Europe: Klepach says state investment in innovation key to fast growth.
18. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Experts Skeptical About Putin's Economic Promises.
19.ITAR-TASS: McDonald's plans to open 45 restaurants in Russia in 2012.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
20. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Kommersant-VLAST: Vladimir Solovyov, Medvedev's foreign policy paid off. As Dmitry Medvedev prepares to leave the Kremlin, there is much to be said about his accomplishments in the foreign policy sphere.
21. Kommersant-VLAST: PR TRIUMPH. OR IS IT? RUSSIA IS TRYING TO MASTER THE USE OF THE SO CALLED SOFT POWER.
22. The Sunday Independent (Ireland): Darragh McDowell, Simplistic portrayals of Putin as Bond villain cripple diplomacy.
23. Voice of America: James Brooke,, Putin to NATO: Yankees, Please Stay in Afghanistan.
24. www.russiatoday.com: Russia to set up Arctic frontier posts.
25. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Sergey Zhiltsov, Russian Scenarios For Kiev. Political Struggle in Ukraine Will Revise Russian Foreign Policy.
LONG ITEM
26. http://premier.gov.ru: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin delivers his report on the government's performance in 2011 to the State Duma. (conclusion of Q&A)
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2012-#69
13 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: Putin's Popularity Growing In Russia - Opinion Poll
2. Moscow News editorial: A third roll of the dice.
3. Moscow News: Left at the crossroads. Coalition-building is not a big priority for the Communists or anyone else on the left.
4. Kommersant: FEDERATION COUNCIL TO ASSIST NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS...and to examine the ones financed from abroad. Are the powers-that-be of the mind to place non-governmental organizations under additional pressure?
5. RIA Novosti: Russian Media Experts Propose New Body For Dialogue With Authorities.
6. Russia Profile: Hunger Games. The Latest Protest in Astrakhan Keeps the Focus on Local Politics, but Raises the Question of Opposition Leaders' Roles.
7. New York Times: Opposition Finds Apathy Over Election in Russia City.
8. Washington Post: Political blogger Alexei Navalny not so well known outside Russia's big cities.
9. Valdai Discussion Club: Thomas Remington, Waves of protests in Russia and the Soviet Union.
10. ITAR-TASS: Russia's top ranking officials declare incomes and soon will have to declare expenditures.
ECONOMY
11. Reuters: 'Russia needs deficit to boost growth.'
12. Moskovskiye Novosti: World Bank: Russia Fails to Live Up to Trade Potential.
13. Business New Europe/Alfa: Russian private individuals transferred $28bn abroad in 2011.
14. Moscow Times: Skolkovo Adviser Sees Post-Medvedev Future.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
15. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: G8 MINISTERS SORT IT OUT. Moscow will insist on Victor Bout's and Konstantin Yaroshenko's return to Russia. An update on the conference of G8 foreign ministers in Washington, D.C.
16. Interfax: Lavrov Denies Russia Helping Assad to Stay in Power.
17. Moscow Times: Iran War Threat Rattles Nerves in Caucasus.
18. Russia Profile Weekly Experts Panel: Is There a Problem With the U.S. Ambassador to Moscow? Introduced by Vladimir Frolov Contributors: Patrick Armstrong, Vladimir Belaeff, Dale Herspring, Eric Kraus, Edward Lozansky, Ira Straus.
19. Moscow Times: Michael Bohm, Giving Russia the Bout.
20. Stratfor.com: A Soviet Redux With a Russian Twist.
21. Interfax: Russian Is Not Language of Progress - Saakashvili.
LONG ITEM
22. http://premier.gov.ru: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin delivers his report on the government's performance in 2011 to the State Duma.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#68
12 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Putin Praises Govt For Stabilization, Demography.
2. RIA Novosti: Dmitry Babich, The Second Comeback of Democracy.
3. Izvestia: POLICY OF FOUR GUIDELINES. Vladimir Putin outlined priorities of his future presidency.
4. Vedomosti editorial: SUPPLEMENT. PREMIER VLADIMIR PUTIN'S REPORT ON THE BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE OF THE CABINET WAS TRUTHFUL BUT INCOMPLETE.
5. Vedomosti: HANDS OFF PUTIN'S TERM OF OFFICE. How many years will Vladimir Putin remain the president yet?
6. Interfax: Removing Word "consecutive" From Constitution Will Be Useful "in About 13 Years" - Yabloko Leader.
7. Moscow Times: Putin Talks Siberia and Cows at Last Duma Review.
8. BBC Monitoring: Russian PM renews call for 'filters' to bar undesirable gubernatorial candidates.
9. Interfax: Putin Report "attempt At Statistical Hypnotism" - Communist Lawmaker.
10. RIA Novosti: Konstantin von Eggert, A Few Surprises in Putin's Final Duma Report.
11. Moscow Times: Putin Earned $120,000 in 2011.
12. Gazeta.ru: Levada Center Data Said To Overturn Preconceptions About Putin Electorate.
13. Kommersant: Some Governors Seen Tempted to Form 'Own' Parties, Others Cannot Work With Putin.
14. Interfax: Opposition Group: Political Reform in Russia Is Imitation.
16. http://globalvoicesonline.org: Russia: Astrakhan Becomes Opposition's New Rallying Cause.
17. RFE/RL: Siberian Grassroots.
18. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Should journalists participate in the protests? American journalist Beth Knobel, who made the presentation about American media coverage of Russia at Columbia University's Harriman Institute, talks to RBTH about advocacy, journalism and the Internet in Russia.
19. BBC Monitoring: Russian talk show debates relations of church and state in light of controversy.
20. RFE/RL: NGO's Legal Woes Threaten Pursuit Of Justice For Chechens.
21. Hermitage Capital: Former Russian Finance Minister Kudrin Tries to Explain Why $1 Billion Was Stolen from the Russian Budget in Connection to the Magnitsky Murder on His Watch and he Did Nothing.
22. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Alexander Herzen: A man of the era of awakening. This year, Russia celebrates the 200th birthday of writer and political thinker Alexander Herzen. Are his dissident views still relevant given the current state of Russian politics?
ECONOMY
23. Business New Europe: MOSCOW BLOG: Mercury rising.
24. Reuters: Russia may invest wealth fund in economy - Putin.
25. Interfax: Putin Gives Positive Signals to Both Those in Favor of Accelerated Privatization And Those Against.
26. Interfax: Putin Hasn't Dropped Idea of Investment Ombudsman, Despite Medvedev's Scepticism.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
27. Interfax: Putin: NATO a Cold War Atavism But Part of Geopolitical Reality.
28. BBC Monitoring: Putin says NATO transit hub in Ulyanovsk meets Russia's interest.
29. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: G8 SUMMIT IN CAMP DAVID. G8 CONDEMNS MOSCOW FOR ENABLING AL-ASSAD'S REGIME IN SYRIA TO REMAIN INTACT.
30. Svobodnaya Pressa: Analysts Discuss Expectations of Russian Foreign Policy under President Putin.
31. BBC Monitoring: Putin dismisses idea that Russia lost out from changes in Middle East, Libya.
32. Interfax: Senior Russian MP Says Moscow Can't Take NATO At Its Word On Missile Defence. (Aleksey Pushkov)
33. Christian Science Monitor: Fred Weir, Why outlook for US-Russia 'reset' looks bearish.
34. Russia Profile: Borderline Etiquette. A Historic Visa Agreement Gets Postponed Indefinitely as Russia Monitors U.S. Elections and Prepares for a Return of the Putin Administration.
35. New York Times: All Eyes on Russia as Syria Cease-Fire Deadline Passes.
36. Moscow Times: Avi Jorisch, How Moscow Is Helping to Solve the Iran Problem.
37. Kommersant: Russia's 'Zone of Influence' Is Restricted to Three Breakaway States. (Dmitriy Trenin)
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#67
11 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Reuters: Russia's Putin calls for unity after protests, polls.
2. AP: Russia's Putin supports cap on presidential terms.
3. www.russiatoday.com: Putin: Limiting presidential terms to two is "reasonable"
4. RIA Novosti: Putin's Parliament Report Prompts Walkout - Wrap.
5. Izvestia: "WE MEAN TO REGISTER NO NEW PARTIES." AN INTERVIEW WITH VLADIMIR PLIGIN ON IDEOLOGICAL WARS WITHIN UNITED RUSSIA.
6. BBC Monitoring: Former Finance Minister Kudrin interviewed on Dozhd TV.
7. www.russiatoday.com: Putin tells fasting Astrakhan protesters to go to court.
8. Moscow Times: Protests Draw National Attention to Astrakhan.
9. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Scandalous mayor elections in Astrakhan become a federal problem.
10. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Polls Indicate Waning Russian Public Interest in Protest Actions.
11. Moscow Times: Alexander Golts, Siloviki in a Panic.
12. Moskovskiye Novosti: BUSINESS CLIMATE AND BUSINESS PROSECUTOR. MIKHAIL KHODORKOVSKY'S DEFENSE EXPECTS NO AMNESTY FOR ITS CLIENT.
13. Moscow Times: Yulia Latynina, Serial Tax Refund, Ltd. (re Hermitage Capital)
14. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Human rights activists suggest continuing the police reform for another two years.
15. Interfax: Renowned TV anchor compares Church attackers to demons.
16. Russia Beyond the Headlines: The historian with a knack for negotiation. At 45, Vladimir Ryzhkov is one of the senior opposition figures. His Achilles Heel is his cautiousness but that could again open political doors for him.
17. Russia Profile: The Sensastional Ms. Sobchak. Socialite Ksenia Sobchak Is the New Face of Protest Politics, But How Long Will Her Star Shine? .
18. Christian Science Monitor: Lucian Kim, A weakened Putin is questioned abroad, under siege at home.
19. Moscow News: Building up links to the past. A group of volunteers is organizing efforts to restore ruined rural churches as a symbol of Russian historical consciousness.
20. University World News: Post-soviet universities need academic salaries reform to succeed.
21. http://seansrussiablog.org: Sean Guillory, Five Books on Putin. (re Stephen Kotkin)
22. www.russiatoday.com: Tim Kirby, Run for your lives, inept barbarians are coming!
23. www.publicserviceeurope.com/Oxford Analytica: Authoritarian Russia among top global threats.
24. New York Times: A Russian City Always on the Watch Against Being Sucked Into the Earth.
ECONOMY
25. ITAR-TASS: Russian economy must be prepared for any external shocks - Putin.
26. www.russiatoday.com: Putin pledges to improve investment climate.
27. Russia Profile: Saving Russians. Russians Seem to Have Overcome Their Distrust for Banks and Are Saving for a Rainy Day.
28. ITAR-TASS: Number of businessmen brought to justice is disastrous.
29. Interfax: Independent Directors Should Entirely Replace State Officials on Boards At State Companies - Medvedev.
30. Moscow Times: Open Government Tells Medvedev to Appoint Protector.
31. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Dmitry Medvedev agrees to consider amnesty for entrepreneurs.
32. Moscow Times: McDonald's Looks to Expansion.
33. Voice of America: James Brooke, Russia Has the Wheels; Now it Needs the Roads.
34. www.forimmediaterelease.net: Russian inbound tourism a disaster, WTM Vision Conference Moscow delegates heard.
35. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Infrastructure to pull China in Russia. Skepticism regarding China's intentions has hampered economic integration in Russia's Far East, yet trade is booming and locals point to pockets of progress.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
36. ITAR-TASS: Lavrov comes to Washington for G8, Quartet, bilateral meetings.
37. Moscow Times: NATO Flight Plan Awakens Russians' Ire.
38. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: ANNAN'S PLANS NOT ABANDONED. RUSSIAN AND SYRIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL CONTROL OVER CEASE-FIRE.
39. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Yevgeny Satanovsky, Annan's Syria plan has no chance. Although the plan devised by Kofi Annan, who is now serving as an UN-Arab League special envoy to Syria has been supported by the United States and Russia, it is unrealizable, like all other theories that are at odds with the logic of civil wars.
40. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russian Expert Sees US Seeking To Profit From Energy Impact of Gulf Tensions. (Sergey Pravosudov)
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#66
10 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. ITAR-TASS: Moscow Patriarch congratulates believers on occasion of Holy Week.
2. BBC Monitoring: Talk show debates how to restore morality in Russian society.
3. www.russiatoday.com: Russia losing battle for talent Medvedev.
4. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. President's law on election of governors is most likely to be revised.
5. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: DOUBLY SCREENED GOVERNORS. PRESIDENTIAL LAW ON GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS WILL BE DRAMATICALLY REVISED.
6. Interfax: Civil Initiatives Committee a Cross Between Public Movement, Think Tank - Gontmakher.
7. Moscow News: Nationalists optimistic on new reforms.
8. The Ivanov Report: Eugene Ivanov, Disunited Russia? (re United Russia)
9. Moscow Times: Astrakhan Electrifies the Opposition.
10. BBC Monitoring: Russian opposition urged to unite over election-related Astrakhan hunger strike.
11. Osobaya Bukva: Analysts See Likelihood of Growing Protest Actions in Russian Regions.
12. Moscow Times: Magnitsky Doctor No Longer Faces Charges.
13. Interfax: One In Ten Russians Describe Ex Yukos Chief As Political Prisoner - Poll.
14. Jamestown Foundation Eurasia Daily Monitor: Pavel Baev, Squabbles And Splits In Putin's Nomenklatura Mar His New Presidency.
15. The Nation: Katrina vanden Heuvel, A Brave and Independent Russian Editor. (re Gregory Shvedov of Caucasian Knot)
16. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Military reform "almost" complete. Modernizing Russia's armed forces has been a primary concern of Dmitry Medvedev; as he prepares to leave the presidency, he took stock of reforms in the sector.
17. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Succession of Never-Ending Reforms Said To Limit Combat Capability.
18. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. President asks for speeding up expanding of Moscow.
19. Vedomosti editorial: CITY OF BUREAUCRATS. FORTHCOMING DEVELOPMENT OF MOSCOW AS AN EXCUSE FOR REDISTRIBUTION.
20. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Pensioners shake up the blogosphere. The largest segment of Internet users may be young people, but increasingly the web is a tool for older people to engage with society.
21. Moscow Times: Marilyn Murray, Thanks to Dear Stalin for a Happy Childhood.
ECONOMY
22. RIA Novosti: Govt Must Carry Through Privatization Plan Medvedev.
23. Interfax: SUMMARY: Updated Russian Economic Forecast Sees Higher Oil, Slower GDP Growth.
24. Interfax: Russian Economy's Dependence on Oil Might Have Negative Consequences - Kudrin.
25. Interfax: Zyuganov Gives Dismal Economic Forecast For Russia.
26. Moscow News: Long live bureaucracy! (re pension problems)
27. Moscow News: VAT fraud worsens social problems. In Russia, legitimate businesses meet with unwarranted suspicions because of reluctance of government to award refunds.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
28. Kommersant: COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY COMMITTEE. COUNCIL WITHIN THE DUMA'S COMMITTEE FOR CIS AFFAIRS WILL HANDLE PREVENTION OF COLOR REVOLUTIONS.
29. Politkom.ru: Romney's Anti-Russian Rhetoric Reflects US Public Opinion.
30. Russia Profile: Bout's Last Stand. A Diplomatic Struggle Over Viktor Bout's Fate Ensues as the "Merchant of Death" Faces 25 Years in Prison.
31. Moscow Times: Georgy Bovt, Kremlin Will Pay Dearly for Viktor Bout.
32. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Political crisis in South Ossetia is over.
33. Da Russophile: Anatoly Karlin, Potemkin Georgia: Exposing The Lies Of The Saakashvili PR Machine.
34. Valdai Discussion Club: Vyacheslav Nikonov, The Russian language is dying in former Soviet Republics.
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2012-#65
9 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Getting Ready for Easter. Unlike the Western Christian world, the Russian Orthodox Church will celebrate Easter next Sunday. Preparing for it requires the proper fulfillment of certain customs -many of them religious, but more of them from folk traditions.
2. BBC Monitoring: Russia's REN TV shows report slamming systemic corruption.
3. RFE/RL: Former Gorbachev Adviser Says Russians Have 'Acute' Case Of The Blues. (Aleksandr Likhotal)
4. Business New Europe: OSW, The political scene in Russia: change is a-coming.
5. ITAR-TASS: Duma to have parliamentary hearings on direct gubernatorial polls.
6. ITAR-TASS: United Russia faction adopts roadmap to implement Putin's initiatives.
7. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: PRESIDENT ABOVE PARTIES. THE RULING PARTY IS GEARED FOR DMITRY MEDVEDEV'S LEADERSHIP.
8. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Ruling party in anticipation of changes.
9. Kommersant: Pensioners, Monarchists Organize Political Parties.
10. Interfax: Eighteen percent of Russians are ready to vote for Prokhorov.
11. Moscow Times: Vladimir Frolov, 4 Ways for Opposition To Broaden Its Support.
12. Novaya Gazeta: Russian Pundit Warns of Risk of Opposition Playing into Regime's Hands. (Liliya Shevtsova)
13. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: TV Host Kseniya Sobchak on Opposition Protests, Her Part, Medvedev.
14. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russian Environmental Campaigner Interviewed on Her Role in Protest Movement. (Yevgeniya Chirikova)
15. Sean's Russia Blog: Sean Guillory, Nashi is Dead! Long Live...?
16. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Academicians Consider Islamic Radicalism in Russia, Offer Solutions. (Yevgeniy Primakov and Vladimir Baranovskiy)
17. Moscow Times: Victor Davidoff, Watching Patriarch Kirill Discredit Himself.
18. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Head of Russian orthodox church launches campaign against enemies of faith.
19. AP: Russia drops charges in lawyer's prison death. (Sergei Magnitsky)
20. Moscow Times/Vedomosti: Interior Ministry Wants to Hold Internet Providers Responsible for Illegal Content.
21. Moscow Times: Portraits of Elite's Kids on Display.
ECONOMY
22. RIA Novosti: Russians With Savings at 20-Year High.
23. Russia Profile: Risky Business. Entrepreneurs Suffer Most from Legal Woes in Russia.
24. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Russian startups strive for more foreign venture capital. The Skolkovo Foundation, which is creating an innovation center near Moscow, has signed partnerships with major Russian investors and several international funds. Investment officers emphasized that there is still plenty of room for other venture capitalists.
25. Business New Europe: Bank of Finland's Institute for Economies in Transition, COMMENT: Russian women earn only 65 kopeks for every ruble earned by men.
26. Xinhua: China Becomes Russia's Top Trade Partner in First Two Months of 2012.
27. Komsomolskaya Pravda: Russia to Build Railway to Alaska.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
28. Kommersant: Russian Pundit Criticizes Moscow's 'Outdated Foreign Policy Thinking.' (Igor Zevelev)
29. The Voice of Russia: McFaul has to think about his position - expert. (Gennady Yevstafyev)
30. Reuters: Russia: working with Syria to end violence, start talks.
31. Gulf News (Dubai): Syria is battleground for Russia and US. Under Putin, Moscow's objections to foreign interventions in the Middle East will grow. A Sunni-Shiite standoff in the region will complicate issues.
32. RIA Novosti: Russian Experts Believe Nuclear Iran Could Bring Stability To Middle East.
33. Nezavisimaya Gazeta editorial: NATO IS IN GEORGIA ALREADY. IS NORMALIZATION OF THE RUSSIAN-GEORGIAN RELATIONS POSSIBLE?
34. RIA Novosti: Russian Experts Suspect Georgia Of Preparing Military Operation.
LONG ITEM
35. Moscow Times: News Analysis: Old Cabinet in Flux: A Look at Its Members.
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2012-#64
6 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. www.russiatoday.com: Global warming affects Russia more than others meteorologists.
2. www.russiatoday.com: Capital punishment: Moscow to be banished to Siberia?
3. Moscow Times: Kudrin's Group to Offer Unsolicited Advice.
4. Kommersant: KUDRIN'S CIVIL INITIATIVE. Liberal experts speak of shadow government.
5. Kommersant: DOUBLE FILTER. THE AUTHORITIES GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO COMPLICATE DIRECT GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS SOON TO BE RESTORED.
6. Profil: Pundit Bunin on Putin's Prospects as President for Entire Constitutional Term.
7. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Commentator Sees Medvedev Presidency as 'Blank Space.' (Aleksandr Minkin)
8. The Economist: Russia. Politics begins at home. A new political landscape is emerging: local, energetic and mistrustful.
9. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Nikolai Zlobin, Russia - in Dire Need of Reforms.
10. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: OBJECTORS. MAY 6 PROTEST ACTION: NEW SLOGANS AND NEW STEERING COMMITTEE.
11. www.opendemocracy.net: Alexei Levinson, The free city of Moscow: reflections on Russia's protest movement.
12. Interfax: Russian Tax Service Begins Audit Of Election Monitoring NGO.
13. Slon.ru: Ekho Moskvy Journalist Interviewed on Board of Directors Reshuffle.
14. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Let's See the Color of Your Grant Money. Signatures Are Being Collected on the Internet for a Law on the Control of Foreign Financing of the Country's Non-Commercial Organizations.
15. Interfax: Information Attack on Patriarch Goes on - Experts.
16. Moscow Times: Notebook Sparks Fury Over Stalin's Legacy.
ECONOMY
17. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Russia reaches top 50 in Bloomberg ranking. Bloomberg ranking targeting investors places Russia ahead of India and China, while a World Bank report still shows Russia in the slow lane. Yet experts are hesitant to rely on the accuracy of the Bloomberg data.
18. Russia Profile: Flight to Safety. Russians and Foreigners Continue to Shelter Funds from the Watchful Eye of the Kremlin.
19. Russia Beyond the Headlines: The bloc becomes a union. BRICS countries follow the path of Europe. Ernst & Young partner Oleg Danilin comments on the results of the BRICS summit held in New Delhi.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
20. BBC Monitoring: Russian pundits discuss relationship with USA in TV show.
21. Moscow Times editorial: Putin's Turn to Press the Reset.
22. Russia Profile: Too Close For Comfort. U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul is Becoming a Major Figure in Russia But Is This a Good Thing?
23. www.russiatoday.com: Fyodor Lukyanov, What's the problem with the US ambassador?
24. BBC Monitoring: Russian commentators explain US envoy's remark by election campaigning.
25. www.russiatoday.com: Bout sentence 'unacceptable, politically motivated' Russia.
26. Kommersant: DIPLOMAT WILL REPLACE ROGOZIN. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko is the new Russian Permanent Representative to NATO.
27. RIA Novosti: Moscow Does Not Expect CFE Treaty Talks To Begin in the Near Term.
28. RIA Novosti: Annan's Plan Won't Stop War in Syria Analysts.
29. www.eurasiareview.com: Mark Katz, Russia And The Arab Spring Analysis.
LONG ITEM
30. Russia Profile Weekly Experts Panel: Romney's Shot at the "Reset": Is Russia the United States' Number One Foe? Introduced by Vladimir Frolov. Contributors: Dale Herspring, Alexander Rahr, Nicolai N. Petro, Ira Straus, Eric Kraus, Srdja Trifkovich, Patrick Armstrong, James George Jatras, Edward Lozansky, Darren Spinck, Dick Krickus, Vladimir Belaeff.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#63
5 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: Russia Ranks as 76th Happiest Country in World.
2. Moscow Times: Russians' Confidence in State TV Slipping.
3. RBC Daily: COMPROMISE. POLITICAL PRISONERS MIGHT BE SET FREE WITHOUT THE PROSECUTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT HAS MADE MISTAKES.
4. Interfax: Russian Rights Activists Ask President To Pardon Political Prisoners.
5. BBC Monitoring: Russian experts split on president's refusal to pardon ex-Yukos head.
6. Interfax: Russians Upbeat About Implementation Of Putin's Election Promises - Poll.
7. www.russiatoday.com: Russians want Putin to change government.
8. Russia Profile: Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Russia Takes A Step Toward Exposing How Corrupt Bureaucrats Spend Their Money.
9. Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI): "Corruption has become the most profitable business in Russia." (Kirill Kabanov)
10. Bloomberg: Leonid Bershidsky, Shuvalov Tests Russia's Corruption Laws.
11. RIA Novosti: Medvedev Proposes Governors' Primaries.
12. Moscow News: Murmansk governor in surprise sacking.
13. RBC Daily: NO RIGHT TO CHOOSE. THE KREMLIN WANTS TO REPLACE ALL GOVERNORS WHOSE TERM OF OFFICE EXPIRES IN 2012.
14. RBC Daily: WONDER WEAPON. TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL EXPERT: WE WILL KEEP SOCIETY AWAKE.
15. Moscow News: Putin backs foreign-car ban for officials.
16. RIA Novosti: Kudrin Sets Up Civil Initiatives Fund as Putin Think-Tank.
17. Izvestia: THINK-TANK. ALEKSEI KUDRIN WILL ESTABLISH CIVIL INITIATIVE COMMITTEE.
18. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Commentators Pessimistic about United Russia's Future.
19. Moscow Times: Boris Kagarlitsky, Labor Protests Pose New Kremlin Headache.
20. Voice of America: Russia's Political Discontent Moves from Winter to Spring.
21. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: PROTESTS. AFTERTASTE. NON-SYSTEMIC OPPOSITION PROMISES NEW MASS PROTESTS ON THE EVE OF PUTIN'S INAUGURATION.
22. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: CROSSROADS. COALITION OF BORIS NEMTSOV, VLADIMIR RYZHKOV, AND MIKHAIL KASIANOV MIGHT BE FORMED ON THE BASIS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
23. http://lucianinmoscow.blogspot.de: Lucian Kim, An Agent for Change from the KGB. (interview with Gennady Gudkov)
ECONOMY
24. Interfax: All President's Decisions on Speeding Up, Expanding Privatization Will Be Implemented - Dvorkovich.
25. Interfax: Russian President Wants Skolkovo Innovation Centre To Host 2014 G8 Summit.
26. Wall Street Journal: U.S. Risks Missing Boom in Russia.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
27. RIA Novosti: Fyodor Lukyanov, The Importance of Being Russia.
28. Reuters: Analysis: Success of Annan peace plan for Syria hinges on Russia.
29. Moscow Times: Ruslan Pukhov, Arms Sales High, But Hard Times Loom.
30. US Department of Defense: Official Says U.S.-Russia 'Reset' Holds Challenge, Opportunity. (Celeste Wallander)
31. New York Times: Charles Grant, Will Putin Delete the Reset?
32. RIA Novosti: CLARIFICATION: US Ambassador's Comments on Missile Defense.
33. Christian Science Monitor: Moscow Ambassador McFaul's 'reset' with Kremlin stumbles.
34. www.russiatoday.com: Sergey Strokan, Romneycare for US-Russia relations.
35. Interfax: Russian Senator Threatens Retaliation Unless USA Abolishes Trade Amendment.
36. Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs: David Speedie, Long Live the Cold War! Jackson-Vanik Update.
37. RIA Novosti: Russia to Control NATO Ulyanovsk Transit Base - Lavrov.
LONG ITEM
38. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister S.A. Ryabkov Interview on Iran, Missile Defense, US Relations.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#62
4 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow News: Nationwide poll shows people's political views liberalizing.
2. Interfax: More Russians Preferring Political, Economic Liberties To 'Strong Hand' - Poll.
3. Interfax: Two In Three Russians Think Putin Will Stick To Existing Political Course - Poll.
4. Moscow Times: Poll: Students Laugh Most, Pensioners Least.
5. ITAR-TASS: Duma offers to increase fines for smoking at unauthorized places.
6. RIA Novosti: Svetlana Kolchik, Smell Flowers, Not Smoke. Time's running out for smokers in Russia.
7. Gazeta.ru: Corrupt Elites Seen Embracing Western Lifestyle While Denigrating West at Home. (Georgiy Bovt)
8. Business New Europe: Ben Aris, Return of the White Russians.
9. Bloomberg: Putin Urges Duma Dominance as Medvedev Promotes New Parties.
10. Moscow Times: Medvedev Signs Party Reform Bill Into Law.
11. Vedomosti: VALEDICTORY. DMITRY MEDVEDEV TOLD LEADERS OF NON-REGISTERED POLITICAL PARTIES THAT VLADIMIR PUTIN WOULD CONTINUE THE REFORMS.
12. Kremlin.ru: Meeting with leaders of action groups for establishing political parties in Russia.
13. www.russiatoday.com: Dmitry Polikanov, Celebration party for new parties.
14. Interfax: Notion 'non-systemic opposition' will soon vanish - Vorobyov.
15. Izvestia: CIRCLE OF POLITICAL INTERLOCUTORS EXPANDED. VLADIMIR PUTIN PLEDGES TO INTERACT WITH LOYAL PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS AND THE OPPOSITION.
16. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The second ruling party may grow from Putin's All-Russian Popular Front.
17. Moscow Times: Medvedev Puts Pressure on Officials to Reveal Sources of Income.
18. Kommersant: THREE-YEAR MINIMUM. PRESIDENTIAL DRAFT LAW ON CIVIL SERVANTS' SPENDINGS MADE IT TO THE DUMA.
19. Moskovskiye Novosti: SEMI-DIRECT VOTING. DRAFT LAW SUGGESTS DIFFERENT PROCEDURES FOR SENATORIAL ELECTIONS INTO THE FEDERATION COUNCIL.
20. ITAR-TASS: Ruling party suffers more losses in mayoral elections.
21. Valdai Discussion Club: Gleb Pavlovsky, Change of Moscow Region Governor: look to the future rather than the past to find the main reason.
22. RFE/RL: Brian Whitmore, Kudrin's Game: The Man In The Middle.
23. Reuters: Russian Church: under attack after backing Putin.
24. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Mikhail Prokhorov continues to create his party.
25. BBC Monitoring: Russian talks show slams police reforms, looks at deaths in custody.
26. Russia Profile: Home to Disaster. The Recent Series of Safety Disasters in Russia Highlights the Authorities' Unwillingness to Confront Them.
27. Interfax: Putin Aide Denies Plans to Establish National Guard in Russia.
28. http://inmoscowsshadows.wordpress.com: Mark Galeotti, A Russian National Guard? Not so fast, or so likely.
29. Russia Profile: Opposition Waits. Despite Media Reports That the Street Protest Movement Is Losing Steam, Some Say the Energy Is Simply Being Channeled Elsewhere.
30. www.opendemocracy.net: Dmitri Travin, Crisis planning: which way forward for Putin's regime?
31. Grani.ru: Opposition Needs To Switch Focus From Rallies to Campaigns, Blogger Says. (Sergey Lukashevskiy)
ECONOMY
32. Business New Europe: Nabiullina calls for a new model for Russia's economic development.
33. Wall Street Journal: Russian Capital Flight Continues.
34. Moscow Times: Anti-WTO Movement May Be in the Offing.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
35. Kommersant: Future of Russia-EU Relations Examined. (Dmitriy Polikanov)
36. Vedomosti: MATTER OF PRINCIPLE. EUROPEAN BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM: MOSCOW CLARIFIED TERMS OF A COMPROMISE WITH THE UNITED STATES.
37. Interfax: Moscow Concerned By Scale of U.S. Funding For Russian Groups, Movements - Diplomat.
38. Interfax: Russia Warns USA Against Adopting Magnitsky Act Or Retaining Trade Amendment.
39. RIA Novosti: No Limitations on U.S. Missile Defense: Envoy (Interview). (Michael McFaul)
40. www.russiatoday.com: Lavrov lectures 'arrogant' McFaul on US missile defense.
41. Moscow Times: Vladimir Ryzhkov, Kremlin Sees Obama as Weak.
42. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Mikhail Rostovskiy, The Funniest Enemy. Why Mitt Romney is So 'Afraid' of Russia.
43. Interfax: Russian Deputy Minister Ridicules US And EU Policy Of Sanctions Against Iran.
44. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Pundits keep making forecats about Syria's future. Moscow expresses displeasure with Syria's leadership. Does it mean Russia will reassess the situation in the Middle East's troublesome region? (Konstantin von Eggert and Yevgeny Shestakov)
45. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Air Assault Units to Expand Russian Military Presence Abroad.
46. Interfax: NATO Sees Georgia's Accession Irreversible Process - Georgian Diplomats.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#61
3 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Vedomosti: THREE TERMS OF OFFICE. OPINION POLL: 43% RUSSIANS SAY THAT PUTIN OUGHT TO STEP DOWN IN SIX YEARS.
2. RIA Novosti: Most Russians Doubt Putin Can Tackle Corruption Poll.
3. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Leonid Radzikhovsky, Putin 3.0: what can we expect? What will Putin's new presidential term officially the third, but actually the fourth be like? Will we see Putin 2.0 reloaded or will the regime collapse and the world witness a third Russian revolution in 100 years?
4. RIA Novosti: Medvedev Signs Party Registration Bill.
5. RFE/RL: Brian Whitemore, The Unraveling: The Tandem's Slow Death.
6. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Stanislav Belkovskiy: Putin a Dictator? Please...Legends and Myths of the Russian Opposition.
7. Moscow Times: Underdog Elected Mayor of Yaroslavl.
8. Russia Profile: From the Ground Up. United Russia's Brand Continues to Show Its Cracks in Yaroslavl's Elections.
9. RFE/RL: The Yaroslavl Precedent: Is An Opposition Victory A Sign Of Things To Come?
10. RIA Novosti: Russia's 'Party of Power' Gropes for New Image.
11. Moscow Times: Nikolai Petrov, Gubernatorial Election Genie Out of the Bottle.
12. Svobodnaya Pressa: Experts Comment on Moves To 'Backtrack' on Elected Governors.
13. Moscow News: A new emergency for Shoigu. The frontrunner for Moscow region governor faces corruption and lawlessness.
14. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Medvedev refuses to pardon Khodorkovsky without petition.
15. RIA Novosti: One Russia Denies Media Reports About Plans To Set Up 'National Guard'
16. Interfax: Protest Leader Navalnyy Becoming Better Known Among Russians, Poll Shows.
17. Kommersant: Russian Expert Sees Role for Nationalist Party Within Country's Political System. (Yelena Shestopal)
18. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Dmitry Babich, No arab spring in Russian winter. The Western media's reaction to the events surrounding the presidential election in Russia seems to have been somewhat misguided. Headlines such as "Putin's pyrrhic victory" and "The end of Putinism?" were rampant, but was there ever any real chance of the so-called "snow revolution" toppling Putin?
19. Le Monde diplomatique: Jean Radvanyi, Corrupt, undemocratic and likely to remain so. So where's the change in Russia? Vladimir Putin got, and may have partly arranged, the election result he required: a mandate for more of the same, despite the protests of those demanding overall reform and the democracy that could drive reform.
20. Xinhua 'Analysis': Outdated Aircraft, Human Factor Blamed for Frequent Plane Crashes in Russia.
21. Moscow Times: Marilyn Murray, Why a Midnight Call Trumps a Morning Class.
ECONOMY
22. Russia Profile: Russia's Beckoning Businesses. The Kremlin Plans to Ram another Business Reform Bill through Parliament Ahead of an Imminent Power Change.
23. RIA Novosti: Russia Growth Under Threat From Oil Warns Minister.
24. Interfax: Russian Econ Ministry raises 2012 oil forecast to $115/barrel.
25. www.russiatoday.com: Capital inflow: make or break for Russia?
26. ITAR-TASS: Russia plans stricter punishment for money laundering.
27. Huffington Post: Ed Gerwin, Opening Russia. (re WTO)
28. Peter Westin: A New Book on the Rise of Russian Capitalism.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
29. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Yevgeny Shestakov, Putin looks to reprise his familiar role on world stage. Upholding the rule of international law and defending Russia's interests are as crucial to Vladimir Putin's foreign policy today as they were 12 years ago.
30. Kommersant: Sergei Strokain, GET-TOGETHER CAMPAIGN. What foreign policy will the future president of Russia promote? And to what end?
31. Kommersant: "EMPIRES ARE COSTLY PROJECTS." Interviews with Carnegie Moscow Center Director Dmitry Trenin and Moscow State University Professor Igor Panarin.
32. Interfax: Russia Concerned With US Missile Defence Plans Outside Europe Too - Top Diplomat.
33. Interfax: Russia Runs Out of Old Satellites For Monitoring U.S. Missiles - Newspaper.
34. Voice of America: James Brooke, Putin and Romney: Back to the Cold War?
35. www.russiatoday.com: 'Hotheads' in Middle East provoking Iran, Russia says.
36. Der Spiegel: The Logistical Nightmare of Leaving Afghanistan.
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2012-#60
2 April 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Nezavisimaya Gazeta editorial: AIMING TO STRENGTHEN MEDVEDEV. WOULD-BE PREMIER'S REFORMIST ROLE IS UNDERESTIMATED.
2. www.russiatoday.com: Political complaints remain a rarity in Russia.
3. Moscow Times: Shoigu Set to Govern Moscow Region.
4. Novaya Gazeta: Kirov Oblast Governor Belykh Interviewed.
5. Wall Street Journal: Yaroslavl Win Boosts Anti-Putin Forces.
6. BBC Monitoring: Russian Communist Party needs rebranding, members say.
7. www.russiatoday.com: Communists vow to take back power.
8. Valdai Discussion Club: Russian people no longer believe slogans. (interview with Leonid Gozman, former co-chairman of the Right Cause party)
9. www.russiatoday.com: Western money 'not option' for Russian opposition. (Yabloko's Sergey Mitrokhin)
10. Profil: NO CASUALTIES. POLITICAL SCIENTIST STANISLAV BELKOVSKY DISBELIEVES RADICAL POLITICAL SCENARIOS.
11. Gazeta.ru: Russian Pundit Argues Political Reform Unlikely Under Putin. (Andrey Ryabov)
12. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Protest actions go on in Moscow, although scanty.
13. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: PUTIN'S NATIONAL GUARD. NATIONAL GUARD ANSWERABLE TO THE PRESIDENT ALONE MIGHT BE FORMED IN RUSSIA.
14. BBC Monitoring: Multiculturalism, radicalism and nationalities discussed in Russian TV talk show.
15. ITAR-TASS: Anti-gay campaign gaining nationwide status in Russia.
16. Moscow News: Church calls for Lenin's works to be scrutinized for extremism.
17. Russia Beyond the Headlines: The best news is fake news. Russia has seen the appearance of a group of satirists hoping to imitate the success of the American spoof news agency The Onion.
ECONOMY
18. Moscow Times: Goldman Sachs Sees Overheating as Biggest Risk.
19. Moscow Times: Martin Gilman, Why Putin Should Keep His Old Team for Now.
20. Time.com: That Giant Sucking Sound in the Arctic? Putin Funding His Campaign Pledges.
21. New York Times: Activist Presses for Inquiry Into Senior Putin Deputy. (re Navalny and Shuvalov)
22. Business New Europe: March of the oligarchs.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
23. Russia Profile Weekly Experts Panel: Can Putin and Obama Make a Deal on Missile Defense? Introduced by Vladimir Frolov. Contributors: Vladimir Belaeff, Dale Herspring, Dick Krickus, Edward Lozansky, Vlad Sobell.
24. Moscow Times: Vladimir Kozin, Freeze Missile Defense in Europe.
25. Interfax: Church Should Contribute To 'Reset' With USA, Russian Patriarch Says.
26. Reuters: Top Obama aides hit back at Romney over Russia.
27. www.russiatoday.com: Robert Bridge, US deals Russia the 'anti-American' card.
28. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Shining a light on Russia's relationship with the West. Zbigniew Brzezinski spoke to RBTH on his strategic vision of Western-Russia relations and international affairs.
29. The National Interest: Ed Verona, The True Cost of Jackson-Vanik.
30. Interfax: Russia to inform U.S. of results of inquiry into McFaul incident.
31. Interfax: Reporters Have Right to Inquire Into Ambassador's Activities - Public Chamber.
32. BBC Monitoring: Russia: NTV 'Hounds' US Ambassador, Bloggers Debate His 'Wild Country' Slip.
33. Reuters: Russia criticises "Friends of Syria"
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2012-#58
29 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: Russia Ready to Crackdown on Smoking.
2. Moscow Times: Marilyn Murray, The Ultimate Survivors of a Century of Trauma.
3. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Belkovskiy Says 'Perestroika II' Inevitable, Despite Opposition Setbacks.
4. Interfax: Russians Getting Less Enthusiastic About Protests, See No Positive Effect - Poll.
5. Itogi: Spokesman Says Putin Has 'Always Supported Dialogue' With Opposition. (interview with Dmitriy Peskov)
6. Interfax: Cat Dorofey Not Missing - Medvedev.
7. Valdai Discussion Club: Nikolai Zlobin, New Russian government will hardly be independent.
8. Moscow Times: Party Reform Bill Passes Council and Heads to Medvedev's Desk.
9. Izvestia: COMPLICATING THINGS. The parliament discusses pros and cons of the law on gubernatorial elections.
10. Vedomosti: PUTIN'S CAMERA DISMISSED. JUDGES IN MOSCOW WOULD NOT ACCEPT FILMS FROM WEB CAMERAS AT POLLING STATIONS AS EVIDENCE.
11. Business New Europe: Ben Aris, Russia's anti-graft drive moves into new phase.
12. Moscow Times: Konstantin Sonin, The Fight Against Corruption Is Simple.
13. BBC Monitoring: Time needed to form new generation of police - Russian minister.
14. ITAR-TASS: Torture has become standard practice in Russian police.
15. New York Times: Brutality Jolts Russia Into Action on Police.
16. RBC Daily: OVERDOING IT. Vague wording in Russian anti-extremist legislation allows for its broad application.
17. Kommersant: Oleg Kashin, Hated Article -- Concept of 'Extremism' Has Proved to Be Too Contentious in Russia.
18. BBC Monitoring: Russian talk show hosts discussion about controversial 'gay propaganda' law.
19. Moscow Times: Russia Struggles to Reform Soviet-Era Orphanages.
20. Moscow Times: How Many Kids Are in Institutions? No Way to Know.
21. Russia Profile: Undervalued Education. As Russian University Rankings Fall, the Country Ponders Its Own Rating Agency.
22. The Real News Network: Russia's "Jurassic Capitalism": A Caricature of the West? Aleksandr Buzgalin: A strata of bureaucrats and oligarchs rule a caricature of Western capitalism, amassing fabulous wealth.
ECONOMY
23. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Ian Pryde, Will Putin 2.0 mean a return to the prosperity of the 2000s? With Vladimir Putin's inauguration scheduled for May 7, 2012, a number of investment analysts in Moscow have reached a rather odd conclusion about the future Russian president's economic policies.
24. Wall Street Journal: Share Deals Open Window on Kremlin. Putin Lieutenant Shuvalov Seen as Profiting on Stock Investments Made Through Russia Tycoons.
25. Moscow Times: Moscow Places Low in World Finance.
26. Russia Profile: Life After the WTO. World Bank Report Paints a Rosy Picture of a Post-WTO Russian Economy.
27. Wall Street Journal: From Russia, With Love Of Venture Investing.
28. Interfax: Russia Could Become World's 2nd-largest Wheat Exporter This Ag Year - Zubkov.
29. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Alexander Chetverikov, What does the weather mean for Russian agriculture? Some have suggested that Russia should welcome global warming as it would make more of the country's land farmable, but that approach is a little naïve.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
30. RIA Novosti: Fyodor Lukyanov, Sovereignty as the Foundation of BRICS Unity.
31. Moscow Times: McFaul Tears Up Dance Floor at Spaso Hootenanny.
32. Interfax: Russian Military Rules Out U.S. Sharing Sensitive Missile Defense Info With Russia.
33. New York Times editorial: The Never-Ending Cold War.
34. Russia: Other Points of View: Gordon Hahn, THEY ARE STILL AT IT: MSM CONTINUES TO DISTORT RUSSIAN REALITY.
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2012-#57
28 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Kommersant: SYSTEMATIZING THE OPPOSITION. THE PRESIDENT BELIEVES THAT NON-SYSTEMIC OPPOSITION WILL BECOME HISTORY BEFORE LONG.
2. Interfax: Opinion of Even Fierce Opposition Critics Should Be Heeded - Medvedev.
3. Moscow News: The Medvedev mystery. Speculation is rife over the composition and outlook of a second Medvedev government and how economic power players in particular may fare.
4. Russia Profile: Musical Chairs for the Governors. Federal Officials Are Replacing Unpopular Governors Before Voters Do It for Them.
5. ITAR-TASS: Authorities seek to liberalize political life, but opposition still unhappy.
6. www.russiaprofile.com: Top Russian Auditor sees party reform as trial version.
7. BBC Monitoring: Democracy and its place in modern Russia discussed in TV show.
8. Kommersant: PUTIN'S PROMISES DISTRUSTED. FEW RUSSIANS CARE WHETHER OR NOT THE POWERS-THAT-BE KEEP THEIR PROMISES.
9. Gazeta.ru: Russia's Strategy-2020 Analysed: Economy Won't Improve without Political Change.
10. Valdai Discussion Club: Angela Stent, Putin 2.0?
11. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: PUTIN'S TERM. MIKHAIL GORBACHEV DISBELIEVES VLADIMIR PUTIN'S ABILITY TO LEAD RUSSIA OUT OF THE BLIND ALLEY.
12. Vedomosti: FORGET THE STREET. Sociologists: Protests wind down but their potential remains higher than a year ago.
13. Interfax: Communist Leader Zyuganov Warns That Russia Might Go Through Revolution.
14. BBC Monitoring: One Russia party, opposition MPs debate protest funding, attack talk show.
15. Moscow Times: Journalists Toe Fine Line With Opposition Politics.
16. Kommersant: "THE KREMLIN FINDS NATIONALISTS USEFUL." An interview with Yabloko leader Sergei Mitrokhin.
17. Moscow News: 'How I recruit rent-a-crowds.' A Moscow 'brigadier' for political rallies explains how protesters are hired.
18. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: GRANTS. CIVIL SOCIETY TO BE GRANTED THE RIGHT OF LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE.
19. www.opendemocracy.net: Irina Borogan and Andrei Soldatov, The Kremlin versus the bloggers: the battle for cyberspace.
ECONOMY
20. New York Times: Russian Economy Slow to Recover, World Bank Says.
21. Moscow Times: Kim Iskyan, Sorry Medvedev. Putin Won't Sell Off Sberbank.
22. Moscow Times: Anders Aslund, Why BRICS Is No Good for Russia.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
23. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama evaluate "reloading" results.
24. Moscow Times: Romney: Russia Is America's 'No. 1 Foe'
25. Interfax: No Secrets At Meeting With Obama; Conspiracy Exaggerated By Reporters - Medvedev.
26. Bloomberg: Obama Says Not 'Hiding the Ball' From Voters on Russia Talks.
27. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Russia's president joins the US presidential campaign.
28. Christian Science Monitor: Russia to Romney: How could we be your No. 1 enemy?
29. Vedomosti: OBAMA'S ADJUSTABILITY. BARACK OBAMA IS THE BEST POSSIBLE U.S. PRESIDENT MOSCOW COULD WISH FOR.
30. Washington Post editorial: President Obama's bad bet on Vladimir Putin.
31. www.foreignpolicy.com: Mitt Romney, Bowing to the Kremlin. Why Obama's "hot mic" diplomacy is endangering America.
32. RIA Novosti: Anti-Russian Amendment Now Headache for U.S.
33. Valdai Discussion Club: Igor Zevelev, Russian-American relations: Resetting the Reset.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#56
26 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: Emigration Urge in Russia Hits Record Low Poll.
2. Interfax: Young people, Prokhorov supporters want to leave Russia - poll.
3. RIA Novosti: Putin 'Liberal' in Practice - Spokesman.
4. Interfax: Putin, Medvedev discussing new government makeup; any conjectures inappropriate - Peskov.
5. Moscow Times: Moscow Region Governor to Leave Post in May.
6. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Governors of several regions to be replaced under old regulations before implementation of direct elections.
7. BBC Monitoring: New political reality discussed in Russian talk show.
8. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: FUTURE PREMIER'S UNCERTAIN PROSPECTS. CRASHING OIL PRICES AND STATE COSTS MIGHT MAKE THINGS DIFFICULT FOR THE FUTURE GOVERNMENT.
9. Argumenty Nedeli: CIVIL SERVICE. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO DMITRY MEDVEDEV THE PREMIER?
10. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: THIRD FORCE. Boris Nemtsov is convinced that Dmitry Medvedev might order Khodorkovsky and Lebedev released from jails.
11. Interfax: Russian Authorities May Soften Their Stance On Ex Yukos Head - Ombudsman.
12. New York Times: Russia to Ease Law on Forming Political Parties.
13. Itogi: OPEN RUSSIA. WILL NON-PARLIAMENTARY OPPOSITION BE INCORPORATED IN THE POWER VERTICAL?
14. ITAR-TASS: During third presidential term Putin to be able to implement planned reforms - Peskov.
15. ITAR-TASS: Putin ready for dialogue with opposition - Peskov.
16. Moscow Times: Andrei Tsygankov, Reforms Loom in Russia 3.0.
17. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Aleksandr Tsipko, Test of Sovereignty: The New Putin and the Job of Forming a United Russian Nation.
18. New York Times: Russian TV Broadcast Besmirching Protesters Draws a Furious Reaction.
19. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Vladimir Burmatov, Public Penance. Why Did No One Even Attempt To Rebut the Facts Shown by NTV?
20. Gazeta.ru: Opposition strategies: in search of the people.
21. Novaya Gazeta: Vladimir Pastukhov, A Generation Must Come Capable of Starving for an Idea, Not Drinking To It.
22. New York Times: Russia Moves to Improve Its University Rankings.
ECONOMY
23. Russia Profile: A Tactical Budget Maneuver. The Russian Government Shifts to a New Budget System Aimed at Tightening Fiscal Discipline.
24. Moscow Times: Election Promises Not a Budget Burden, Dvorkovich Says.
25. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Felix Goryunov, What kind of capitalism has Russia built? Not a Western free market, and not a China-style economy controlled from the top-down, Russia's economic model benefits the few at the expense of almost everything else.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
26. AP: Obama to Russia: More flexibility after elections.
27. RIA Novosti: Russia and U.S. Maintain Stance on Missile Defense Medvedev.
28. US White House: President Obama and President Medvedev's Bilateral Meeting.
29. Argumenty Nedeli: END OF RELOAD? WHAT CHANGES IN FOREIGN POLICY OUGHT TO BE EXPECTED FROM THE NEW PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA?
30. Voice of America: US Envoy Sees Closer Moscow Ties After Putin's Election. (interview with Michael McFaul)
31. Moscow Times: Vladimir Frolov, Putin and Obama Will Be Friends - for Now.
32. Vedomosti: KREMLINOLOGY: MILITARY-POLITICAL FRIENDSHIP. NIKOLAI ZLOBIN: RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES ARE GEOPOLITICAL ALLIES.
33. The Ivanov Report: Eugene Ivanov, S. 1039. (re Magnitsky law)
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#55
23 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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davidjohnson@starpower.net
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times: Medvedev Renews Corruption Battle.
2. Interfax: Corruption Cannot Be Defeated Quickly But Effort Is Not Wasted - Medvedev.
3. Interfax: Medvedev Does Not Rule Out Paid Informants, Disgusted By Idea.
4. Interfax: Poll Shows Nearly Half Say Corruption Cannot Ever Be Defeated In Russia.
5. Vedomosti editorial: LICENSE TO STEAL. THE REGIME IS INDISPOSED TO LAUNCH THE RADICAL REFORMS THAT WILL COMPROMISE INTERESTS OF THE ELITES.
6. ITAR-TASS: Medvedev says anti-corruption struggle yields results, experts disagree.
7. Interfax: Most Russians See No Difference Between Medvedev's, Putin's Policies - Poll.
8. Bloomberg: Putin's Spending May Cripple Medvedev as Kudrin Eyes His Job.
9. Sobesednik: Stanislav Belkovskiy Makes Predictions on Composition of New Government.
10. Kommersant: AGAINST THE LAW. POLITICAL PARTIES OBJECT TO THE NEW LAW "ON ELECTION OF DUMA DEPUTIES"
11. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Kommersant-Vlast: Political reform to diversify political landscape. A new law on political parties will affect politicians and their supporters from across the political spectrum.
12. Moscow Times: Leftist Leaders Announce Effort to Join Forces.
13. Russia Profile: Lost in the Crowd. Dozens of New Parties Could Ultimately Bolster United Russia's Chances in Future Elections.
14. Moscow News editorial: Oranges are not the only fruit.
15. Moscow News: Acting locally. Activists are taking on United Russia officials on a district level.
16. Los Angeles Times: In Russia, some seek justice in European Court of Human Rights. Billionaires and war survivors who challenge the government may get nowhere in Russia, but the European Court of Human Rights in France is listening.
17. Bloomberg: St. Petersburg Crackdown on Homosexuals Makes Putin G-8's Pariah.
18. Moscow Times: Luc Jones, When in Russia, Talk the Talk.
ECONOMY
19. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Oleg Alekseev, Russia may benefit from the brain drain. The brain drain problem is an indisputable fact, but we should not try to stop it.
20. Izvestia: PUTIN'S PIECES TOTAL NEARLY 1% GDP. EFFECT FROM ALL SUGGESTIONS IN PUTIN'S PROGRAMME ARTICLES WILL AMOUNT TO 0.4-0.9% GDP.
21. Business New Europe: Russia to return to budget rule as oil dependency grows.
22. Moscow News: Turning words into deeds. Gazprom could lose out as Putin seeks ways to finance his vast election spending commitments.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
23. www.russiatoday.com: Russia, NATO should overcome instinct of mutual mistrust Medvedev.
24. RIA Novosti: Time Running Out for Missile Shield Talks Medvedev.
25. Vedomosti: NO SUMMITS BEFORE ELECTION. RUSSIAN-NATO SUMMIT IN CHICAGO CANCELLED ON ACCOUNT OF NO PROGRESS IN MISSILE SHIELD TALKS.
26. Kommersant: Anti-Missile Missiles Will Become A Target. The Russian Defense Ministry Is Preparing An Information Salvo Against the American Missile Defense System.
27. RIA Novosti: U.S. Baffled by Russian America-Bashing McFaul.
28. Moscow Times: McFaul Speaks Up for Relaxed Visa Regime.
29. Russia Profile Weekly Experts Panel: Will Russia Graduate From the Jackson-Vanik Amendment? Introduced by Vladimir Frolov. Contributors: Vladimir Belaeff, Dale Herspring, James Jatras, Eric Kraus, Dick Krickus, Edward Lozansky.
30. Voice of America: James Brooke, Afghanistan: Pass the $1 billion a week baton to Russia?
31. Moscow News: Russia's other election. In the United States, it was billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov who topped the poll of expat Russians voting in the election back home.
32. www.russiatoday.com: Fyodor Lukyanov, Russia on Syria: Modest success.
33. Interfax: Arab Spring Destroyed Secular Counterbalance to Islamists in North Africa - Margelov.
34. Interfax: World community should not turn blind eye to rights violations by Syrian opposition - Russian Foreign Ministry official.
35. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Yuriy Tavrovskiy, Moscow and Beijing in the Run-Up to the Renewal of the Tandems -- Russia-China: 'Strategic Partnership' Today But What Tomorrow?
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#54
22 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax:Putin's Popularity Up After Election.
2. Interfax: Most Russians Believe In Putin Coming Good On Election Promises - Poll.
3. www.russiatoday.com: Putin to name new govt prior to inauguration - report.
4. ITAR-TASS: Medvedev says it might take years to uproot corruption.
5. RIA Novosti: Traffic Police, Kindergartens, Universities Most Corrupt - Watchdog.
6. RIA Novosti: Medvedev Calls for Privatization Road Map.
7. Moscow News: Medvedev's new role chosen in survey
8. Moskovskiy Komsomolets:Center for Strategic Developments Head Dmitriyev on Putin's Third Term.
9. Kommersant: PROTESTS CHALKED OFF. PROTESTS AGAINST RIGGED ELECTIONS GRADUALLY WIND DOWN.
10. Kommersant: Declining Numbers at Moscow Protest Rallies Said To Indicate Growing 'Apathy'
11. Gazeta.ru: More Russians Using Internet To Get Daily News.
12. RIA Novosti: Russia Orders Research Into Impact Of Political News On Young People.
13. Interfax: Ministry of Culture to Assume Control Over Russia Media - Daily.
14. Moscow Times: S&P Takes Mixed View of Direct Gubernatorial Elections.
15. www.russiatoday.com: New political rules open way for old Gorbachev project.
16. Moscow News: Moscow region scientist wins fight to be town mayor.
17. Russia Profile: Chipping Away at the State. Do Anti-Kremlin Local Politics Mean the End of Putin's Power Vertical?
18. Christian Science Monitor: Fred Weir, War-ravaged Chechnya shows a stunning rebirth - but at what price?
19. BBC News: Moscow's Muslims find no room in the mosque.
20. Russia Profile: Riot in a Church. The Orthodox Church Mulls Over Its "Pussy Riot" Problem.
21. ITAR-TASS: Experts' opinions are divided over Russian army reform.
22. Moscow Times: Nebulous Future Weighs Down Space Program.
23. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Skolkovo as a barrier to the brain drain.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
24. Moscow Times: Sergey Radchenko, Gorbachev, Not O'Neill, Deserves BRIC Credit.
25. BBC Monitoring: Russia-US relations, NATO base debated in TV talk show.
26. Izvestia: Andranik Migranyan, DOES PUTIN NEED RELOAD? MISSILE SHIELDS PROBLEM MIGHT COMPLICATE THE RUSSIAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS.
27. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Eugene Ivanov, Return on Investment. What will the U.S. government reap from the money it is now sowing into a fund to promote democracy in Russia?
28. RIA Novosti: Russian Duma Reprimands MPs For Meeting US Envoy.
29. Hermitage Fund: William Browder Testifies to the U.S. Congress that Russian Government Now Functions as a Criminal Enterprise.
30. Moscow Times: Alexander Shumilin, Why Putin Has Begun Abandoning Assad.
31. Christian Science Monitor: Scott Baldauf, What's behind Russia's involvement in Syria and Iran? National interests.
32. Russia Profile: Gas Price Gamble. Top Level Talks Between Ukraine and Russia Have Failed to Settle A Long Standing Gas Price Dispute.
33. Vedomosti: LOSING PARTNERS. RUSSIA AND KYRGYZSTAN: FRICTION IS MOUNTING.
LONG ITEM
34. Ekho Moskvy: Russia's Arms Treaty Watchdog Chief Describes Monitoring Process, Wider Role.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#53
21 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Putin Needs to Become "president of All Russians" - Analyst. (Igor Yurgens)
2. RIA Novosti: Russian Poll Paints Picture Of Typical Putin Voter.
3. Ottawa Citizen (Canada): Putin no villain, ex-ambassador says.
4. Valdai Discussion Club: Geoffrey Hosking, Slavophiles and Westernizers in Russia.
5. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Russia launches campaign to fight privileges of state officials.
6. BBC Monitoring: TV talk show discusses graft, corruption in Russia.
7. Politkom.ru: Russian Mayoral Elections Show Desire for 'Moderate' Alternative to Bureaucracy. (Andrey Makarkin)
8. www.opendemocracy.net: Mikhail Loginov, Russia's Regional Spring.
9. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. State Duma adopts in second reading addendums to law on political parties.
10. Politkom.ru: Stanovaya Sees Kremlin Seeking Return to Pre-2003 Party System.
11. Moscow Times: Parnas Registration Blocked Once Again.
12. Moskovskiye Novosti: VARIANT READINGS. THE LAW ON REGISTRATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES ADOPTED IN THE SECOND READING.
13. RBC Daily: FIRST TRIAL. THE OPPOSITION FEARS A CRACKDOWN AFTER THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY.
14. www.russiatoday.com: 'No one afraid of protesters' - Putin's spokesman.
15. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Leaders of civil protest choose weekly format.
16. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Experts Cited on NTV's Anti-Opposition Documentary.
17. Wall Street Journal: Matthew Kaminski, Russia's Online Democracy. At least they can laugh at Putin.
18. Vedomosti: 'Sources' See Kiriyenko as Likely Successor to Sechin in Russian Government.
19. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV show profiles cases of fatal police violence.
20. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV show debates reasons behind former Yukos boss' imprisonment.
21. Business New Europe: A NEW BOOM IN GOVERNMENT SPENDING.
22. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Ian Pryde, A new way to get what you want. Can Russia develop a culture of professional lobbyists and is it even a good idea?
23. Interfax: Three In Four Russians Support Controversial 'Gay Propaganda' Law - Poll.
24. Medportal.ru: Expert Analyzes New Health Care Law's Impact on Patients, Physicians.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
25. RIA Novosti: NATO Base in Russia 'Pragmatic Decision' Analysts.
26. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. President announces military reform is over.
27. Interfax: Range of military threats to Russia broadens - defense minister.
28. Interfax: USA, NATO Not Planning Attack But Still Pose Risk To Russia - Foreign Minister.
29. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Reasons for Society's Anti-Americanism Examined. (Leonid Radzikhovskiy)
30. RIA Novosti: Russian Opposition Leaders Disagree With US Envoy.
31. Moscow Times: Visa Pact With U.S. Stuck in Holding Pattern.
32. RIA Novosti: Russia against Substitutions of Jackson-Vanik Amendment.
33. Interfax: Missile Issue Will Not "freeze" All Relations With U.S. - Lavrov.
34. Kommersant: MISSILE KILLERS AS TARGETS. Ballistic missile defense dialogue remains stuck.
35. Moscow Times: Steven Pifer, A Trial Marriage on Missile Defense.
36. Kommersant: WAITING FOR RAPPROCHEMENT. THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE ARE CONVINCED THAT RUSSIA IS PREPARED TO DEMONSTRATE A "CONSTRUCTIVE APPROACH" TO SYRIAN CRISIS.
37. Russia Profile: Sergey Markedonov, A Crush on Syria. Russia's Motives for Supporting Syria's Current Regime Are Pragmatic, but Diplomats Are Failing to Articulate Them Properly.
38. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV questions outcomes of Western 'intervention' in Libya.
39. Interfax: Chinese expansion to Russia should not be feared - Romodanovsky.
40. Nezavisimaya Gazeta:Russian Expert Sees 'Window of Opportunity' for Russian-Japanese Dialogue. (Aleksey Fenenko)
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- Back to the Top -
2012-#52
20 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times: Scientist: Aliens May Keep Distance Due to Disdain for Earthlings.
2. Kommersant: DEMOCRACY ALL AROUND. LEVADA-CENTER: THE RUSSIANS LIKE DEMOCRACY BUT HAVE DIFFERENT NOTIONS OF WHAT DEMOCRACY STANDS FOR.
3. RIA Novosti: Few Russians Believe They Live In A Democracy - Poll.
4. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Tandem shuffle has experts divided in their assessments. Dmitry Medvedev is expected to become prime minister as planned, but as a condition, many Putin loyalists will have to go.
5. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: SERGEI MIRONOV'S DEMARCHE. MIRONOV PROTESTED AGAINST DMITRY MEDVEDEV'S FORTHCOMING PREMIERSHIP.
6. Bloomberg: Putin Portrait Demand Spikes as Officials Spurn Medvedev.
7. Gazeta.lru: Potential Shape of Medvedev Government Assessed.
8. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Human rights activists to be Big Government's major reformers.
9. Moscow Times: United Russia Candidate Loses Tolyatti Mayoral Race.
10. Washington Post: Mayor's race in Russia an opportunity for the opposition. (re Yaroslavl)
11. Interfax: Prokhorov Will Not Rush Creation of Party to Avoid Mistakes.
12. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: BORN TO MUTINY. NEW LEADERS TAKE OVER THE NON-PARLIAMENTARY OPPOSITION.
13. RIA Novosti: Rerun Of Anti Opposition Film Draws Bigger TV Audience Than Premiere.
14. RIA Novosti: Russian State TV Hits out at Protest Program Critics.
15. Moscow Times: Nikolai Petrov, Putin Won't Liberalize Anything.
16. Polityka (Warsaw): Russian Analyst Expects Putin To Be 'Much Tougher Leader Than Before.' (Lilia Shevtsova)
17. Moscow News editorial: Losing face control.
18. New York Times: Punk Riffs Take on God and Putin. (re Pussy Riot)
19. New York Times book review: Bill Keller, Reclaiming the Kremlin. New Books About Vladimir Putin in Power. (re THE STRONGMAN by Angus Roxburgh and THE MAN WITHOUT A FACE by Masha Gessen)
ECONOMY
20. Forbes.com: Kenneth Rapoza, Putin Proud: Russia's Economy Growing.
21. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Andrei Nechayev, Russia's post-election economy. Now that the elections are over, the government must take a hard look at the promises that have been made, the reforms that need to be carried out, and where the money will come to pay for them.
22. ITAR-TASS: Dvorkovich forecasts privatisation of several major companies 2012.
23. ITAR-TASS: Pension system worst problem of Russian economy.
24. Reuters: Reluctant Russia wakes up to energy waste.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
25. RIA Novosti: Russia to Spend 2.8% GDP on Defense As 'Conflict Risk Rises'
26. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: TASK ASSIGNMENT. BETTERMENT OF THE MILITARY IS THE KREMLIN'S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.
27. www.russiatoday.com: Medvedev: 'Re-equip military to counter missile defense by 2017-18'
28. RIA Novosti: No U.S. Financing of Russian Parties - Embassy.
29. Russia Profile: Jackson-Vanik Trades Places. The Campaign Heats Up Over Repealing Jackson-Vanik.
30. Moscow Times: Vladimir Ryzhkov, Replace Jackson-Vanik With the Magnitsky Act.
31. www.russiatoday.com: 'Fairytales!' No Russian warships, anti-terror squads in Syria.
32. Reuters: Russia ready to support Annan's Syria mission at UN.
33. Valdai Discussion Club: Vitaly Naumkin, Russia reestablishes influence in Middle East?
34. www.opendemocracy.net: Elkhan Nuriyev, Putin's plan for Russia's neighbours - a Eurasian Union.
OTHER RESOURCES
35. The Bank of Finland Institute for Economies in Transition: BOFIT Forecast for Russia 2012-2014.
36. Chatham House Report: Putin Again: Implications for Russia and the West.
37. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace event: Putin, Russia, and the West: War, March 26.
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2012-#51
19 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Business New Europe: Ice extent in Barents Sea less than half of average.
2. RIA Novosti: More Russians Optimistic About Democracy Survey.
3. Russia Profile: Cleaning Up the House. After Nationwide Protests, the Kremlin Gives Tacit Support to a Massive Crackdown on Organized Crime.
4. Moscow Times: Strategy Focuses on Middle Class, Asia.
5. Izvestia: Parliamentary Reform Seen As Main Imperative For New Putin Presidency. (Boris Mezhuyev)
6. Gazeta.ru: Yuriy Korgunyuk, Power Is Not Taken Impulsively -- Russia Once Again Stands at the Crossroads Between the European and Distinctively Soviet Paths of Development.
7. New York Times: Martin Sixsmith, Putin's List. Russia's Leader Proposes a New Canon.
8. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: 'Angry Citizens' Arouse the Regime; Government Threatens To Become More Open and Parliament Authoritative.
9. Moscow Times: Duma Fast-Tracks Bill on Party Registration.
10. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: FEARING POLITICAL CLONES. REGIONAL ELECTIONS THIS AUTUMN MIGHT CHANGE THE POLITICAL MAP OF THE COUNTRY.
11. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Deputies are called to reveal incomes.
12. Interfax: Pundits Disagree On Russia's Future Party Political Landscape.
13. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Vedomosti.ru: Kudrin to create fund for reforms. With the creation of a new fund to promote economic reforms, Alexei Kudrin indicates that he will continue to oppose Dmitry Medvedev even after the current president becomes prime minister.
14. Business New Europe: Sechin could leave government.
15. Mir Novostei: MEDVEDEV THE STATE SECRETARY? IS THE TANDEM OUT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION?
16. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV says opposition paid protesters, faked evidence against authorities.
17. Moscow Times: NTV Film Provokes Opposition Fury.
18. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Moscow protests are losing participants.
19. Interfax: Nationalists want to form "big and ambitious" party.
20. New York Times: Russia's Scandalous 'It Girl' Remakes Herself as an Unlikely Face of Protest. (re Kseniya Sobchak)
21. BBC Monitoring: Russian protest leader given rare airtime on state-owned TV channel. (Aleksey Navalnyy)
22. BBC Monitoring: Russian opposition leader speaks of his hope for revolution in TV interview. (Sergey Udaltsov)
23. Interfax: Poll: 60% of Russians say presidential race is open, fair.
24. Interfax: Prokhorov's Results Biggest Sensation of Russian Presidential Race - Poll.
25. Moscow Times: Tiny Kox, My Evaluation of the Presidential Election.
26. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: The Modern Police Officer -- Step Brother of the Old Cop. The Police Have Changed Only Their Name and Uniform, Not Their Essence.
27. The Kazan Herald: Sodomy & Death At Hands of Kazan Police Sets Off National Outcry.
ECONOMY
28. AP: Putin's campaign promises pose economic challenges.
29. New York Times: Putin Needs Higher Oil Prices to Pay for Campaign Promises.
30. Nezavisimaya Gazeta editorial: MORE THAN $22 BILLION...withdrawn from Russia in the last two months. Bureaucrats will never outsmart businessmen, a lesson the Russian authorities have never learned.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
31. Moscow Times: U.S. Seeks to Release $50M for Democracy.
32. Argumenty Nedeli: Russian US Treasury Holdings Said Prompting Obama To Offer Putin Congratulations.
33. Wall Street Journal editorial: After Jackson-Vanik. A bipartisan challenge to Obama's blind spot on rights in Russia.
34. The Hill: Tensions over Syria could slow efforts to normalize Russia, U.S. trade relations.
35. www.russiatoday.com: Fyodor Lukyanov, Review of perception of China?
36. Voyenno-Promyshlenny Kurier: Sergei Karaganov, THERE WILL BE WAR. ODDS ARE THAT THERE WILL BE A WAR IN THE PERSIAN GULF SOON.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#50
16 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. MSNBC.com: Russia aims to put a man on the moon by 2030.
2. RIA Novosti: Marc Bennetts, A History of Russia in Plastic Bags.
3. Moscow Times: Media Thaw's Staying Power Hotly Debated.
4. Vedomosti: PIECES AND LAWS. UNITED RUSSIA FACTION IS TO DECIDE WHAT LAWS TO DERIVE FROM THE PIECES VLADIMIR PUTIN PUBLISHED WHEN RUNNING FOR THE KREMLIN.
5. The Globe and Mail (Canada): Mark MacKinnon, In rebuilt Grozny, an awkward peace with Russia. After almost two decades of war, the Chechens appear to have won some political and economic victories - but the scars remain.
6. Bloomberg: Khodorkovsky Pardon Won't Need Guilt Admission, Council Says.
7. Moscow Times: Ryzhkov's Republican Party to Regain Official Status.
8. Russia Profile Weekly Experts Panel: Putin Wins the Presidential Election, but How Will He Govern? Introduced by Vladimir Frolov. Contributors: Vladimir Belaeff, Alexandre Strokanov.
9. Jamestown Foundation Eurasia Daily Monitor: Pavel Felgenhauer, The Post-Electoral Powerfight In Moscow.
10. www.russiatoday.com: Opposition group quits political reform workgroup.
11. www.foreignaffairs.com: Angus Roxburgh, How the Anti-Putin Movement Missed the Point.
12. ITAR-TASS: Russian off-parliament opposition changes tactics.
13. Kommersant: MUSTERING A MILLION. THE OPPOSITION PROMISES A MILLION-MEN STRONG PROTEST DEMONSTRATION ON MAY 5.
14. Reuters: Russian opposition sees jailings as Putin warning.
15. www.foreignpolicy.com: Anna Nemtsova, The Temperature's Dropping for Russia's Opposition. Vladimir Putin is back in the saddle, and the weather is getting chilly again for Russia's protest movement.
16. The Daily Telegraph (UK): Russian state TV claims demonstrators were paid.
17. Moscow News: Feminist punks smash taboos.
18. Moscow News editorial: The state religion habit.
19. RIA Novosti: Russian Investigators Want 'Objective Truth' Back.
20. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The experts believe that the police reform is abortive.
21. Moscow News: Mark Galeotti, Die another day. How Putin decides the fate of Russia's spymasters may tell us about his priorities (and vulnerabilities).
22. Moscow Times: Q&A: Mike Tyson's 'Mom' Peers Into the Russian Mind.
ECONOMY
23. Russia Profile: Banknote Exodus. Promises of Stability Will Mean Little for Russia's High Capital Outflow.
25. Vedomosti: Most Preferred Luxury Item in Russia: Alcohol.
26. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Finding success in business and politics. At various times a business leader and a politician, today Irina Khakamada teaches seminars on business psychology, teaching the art of communication.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
27. New York Times: U.S. Seeking Use of Funds to Aid Russian Democracy.
28. Rossiiskaya Gazeta: MCFAUL'S MILLIONS. WASHINGTON MIGHT RAISE ADDITIONAL SUMS FOR CIVIL SOCIETY IN RUSSIA.
29. US Department of State: Philip H. Gordon, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Remarks at Bipartisan Policy Center: BPC Panel discussion, "Putin's Return: The Political and Commercial Implications for America.
30. Christian Science Monitor: US-Russia 'reset' gets a boost with Russian offer of airbase. Russia has made an unprecedented offer that indicates a desire to improve ties ahead of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
31. Moscow Times: Michael Bohm, A Friendlier Reset.
32. Reuters: Senator warns White House on Russia trade bill.
33. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Trade hearings renew debates on Russia. On Capitol Hill yesterday, the Senate listened to animated testimony on whether to lift an outdated Jackson-Vanik amendment and if so, how.
34. www.foreignpolicy.com: Kyl vs. Russia: Round 2.
35. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, It's Time to End the Jackson-Vanik Amendment.
36. www.opendemocracy.net: Luc Ancesch, Central Asia: succession planning in dictatorships.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#49
15 March 2012davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Kommersant: RESULTS OF ELECTION. VCIOM: LESS THAN 50% RESPONDENTS TRUST THE OUTCOME OF ELECTIONS.
2. Rossiiskaya Gazeta: Experts Declare Crusade Against Social Inequality and Poverty.
3. Vedomosti: Same Three Main Power Groups Expected To Remain in New Government in 2012. (Konstantin Gaaze)
4. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Dmitri Trenin, The Next Phase of Russia's Awakening.
5. Moscow Times: Vladislav Inozemtsev, Creating a Two-Party System.
6. Moskovsky Komsomolets: LIVING ABOVE MEANS. EXPERTS: DMITRY MEDVEDEV'S ANTI-CORRUPTION PLAN WILL FAIL.
7. Financial Times: Russia's regions are next battleground.
8. Kommersant: MANAGERS. DMITRY MEDVEDEV OUTLINED PRINCIPLES OF HIS PERSONNEL POLICY AS THE FUTURE PREMIER.
9. Moscow Times: Officials Discuss Pay With President.
10. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Russian authorities drafted a bill on new rules to form the upper house of parliament.
11. ITAR-TASS: Duma may pass law simplifying creation/registration of parties by March 23.
12. RFE/RL: Brian Whitmore, The Return Of The Clans.
13. Moscow Times: Konstantin Sonin, Protesters and Observers Make Russia Great.
14. www.russiatoday.com: Opposition to launch independent TV.
15. Reuters: Russia refuses to free anti-Kremlin punk band.
16. RIA Novosti: Opposition Leader Calls For May 5 'March of Millions.' (Sergei Udaltsov)
17. Washington Post: Russian activists push back against crackdown in wake of Putin's election.
18. Jon Hellevig: Putin's Social Liberal Patriotic Party.
19. New York Review of Books: Rachel Polonsky, Violent, Ecstatic Russians. (re Vladimir Sorokin)
ECONOMY
20. Nature.com: Putin promises science boost. But Russian researchers are sceptical of ambitious schemes.
21. Nature.com editorial: A Russian renaissance? Vladimir Putin's promise to increase research spending is welcome but his country's scientific system needs a complete overhaul.
22. RIA Novosti: No Russian Universities Make Grade in Times Ratings.
23. Russia Profile: Cracks in the Wall. A Shortfall in Oil Revenues Raises the Specter of a Budget Deficit in Russia.
24. RIA Novosti: Russia Must Reform or Face Stagnation UniCredit.
25. Business New Europe: Privatisation could start in spring.
26. Interfax: Ministries still have not received instructions on tax for dishonest privatization in the 90s - Nabiullina.
27. Russia Beyond the Headlines/East-West Digital News: US business angel Esther Dyson: "Online services can reduce the costs of being honest"
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
28. www.russiatoday.com: Bite your tongue: Russians wearying of Western criticism.
29. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: TEMPTING RUSSIA. RUSSIAN-AMERICAN BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM TALKS: NOBODY EXPECTS INSTANT PROGRESS.
30. Interfax: Poll: Russians foresee varying scenarios of developments in Syria.
31. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Alexander Yakovenko (Russian ambassador to the United Kingdom). The Russian position on Syria: myths and reality.
32. www.foreignpolicy.com: McFaul: No human rights bill trade for granting Russia top trade status.
33. Wall Street Journal: Garry Kasparov and Boris Nemtsov, The Right Way to Sanction Russia. With the repeal of Jackson-Vanik, it's more important than ever to hold the Russian oligarchy accountable.
34. Roll Call (Washington DC): Matthew Rojansky, Congress Can Stand Up for U.S. Interests in Russia.
35. PRNewswire: USRBC Urges Congress to Not Hold Business Back from Opportunities in Russia.
36. ITAR-TASS: Pentagon reluctant to sever contract for supply of Russian copters to Afghanistan.
37. Russia Profile: While You Weren't Looking. How Will Russia React to a Continuing U.S. Presence in Central Asia?
38. Reuters: Russia calls US-Georgia army exercises 'provocative'
39. Valdai Discussion Club: Alexander Rahr, The Eurasian Union offers candidates more incentives than the EU.Johnson's Russia List
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#48
14 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow News: French beat Russians for title of world's rudest people.
2. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Real Politics Are Being Born in Russia; Opposition Lacks Leader and Fresh Ideas.
3. Gazeta.ru: Commentary Sees Russian People 'Reconciled' to Putin, Favoring 'Dialogue.' (Andrey Kolesnikov)
4. Vedomosti editorial: Russia Seen Still Lacking Conditions for Successful Party Building.
5. RIA Novosti: Medvedev Proposes 'Competitive' Selection of Officials.
6. Moscow Times: New Realities Exert Force on Cabinet Choices.
7. Kommersant: SUMMING UP. Parliamentary and presidential elections will be evaluated.
8. Interfax: Legitimacy of Incumbent Authorities in Russia Undermined Because of Vote-rigging - Presidential Human Rights Council Member.
9. Izvestia: TO BE PREVENTED. DMITRY MEDVEDEV'S DRAFT LAW ON DIRECT GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS WILL PROBABLY BE AMENDED.
10. BBC Monitoring: Internet TV Show Discusses Russia's Economic, Political Future Under Putin.
11. Moscow Times: John Lough, No More Teflon Putin.
12. New York Times: Cliff Kupchan, Putin's New Constraints.
13. Globe and Mail (Canada): A former Kremlin spin doctor rues his role in Putin's rise. The Russian leader 'was a reasonable man in the beginning,' says Gleb Pavlovsky. Then he decided he wanted a third term as president.
14. Interfax: Members Of Russian Opposition Could Be Invited To Join State Structures - Expert.
15. Grani.ru: Poor Prospects Seen for 2012 Protest Movement, Unlike Gorbachev's Time. (Ilya Milshteyn)
16. Interfax: Average Russians, Rights Activist See No Improvement In Police Work After Reform.
17. Moscow News: Medvedev mandates officials' spending declarations.
18. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Medvedev proposes to confiscate suspicious property from public servants.
19. www.russiatoday.com: Russian hawk Rogozin could scoop up defense minister seat - report.
20. Russia Profile: The Case for Kozlov. The Latest Case Against a Moscow Businessman Exposes Continuing Difficulties for Civil Society.
21. Interfax: Russian Civil Society Should Not Take Money From Proposed US Fund - Party Leader. (Sergey Mitrokhin)
22. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Satire against cynicism. The "Citizen Poet" project revived the Russian tradition of satirizing the powerful.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
23. Moscow Times: McFaul Pushes for Trade Status.
24. PRI's The World: What's Behind the Rising Tensions in US-Russia Relations. (interview with US Ambassador Michael McFaul)
25. www.migrationexpert.com: U.S. Visa Interview Waiver Program Expands in Russia.
26. Interfax: Russian expert comments on US senators' call to cancel Mi-17 helicopter deal. (Ruslan Pukhov)
27. www.russiatoday.com: Robert Bridge, US missile defense: Loaded system, empty promises.
28. The National Interest: Jeffrey Mankoff, What Putin Means for Washington.
29. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Eugene Ivanov, You Shall Love Your Enemy. After Vladimir Putin's election for the Russian presidency American politicians started demonizing Russia and questioned U.S.-Russia reset. In the midst of the American presidential campaign the future of the Russian-American relations is at the top of the political agenda.
30. ITAR-TASS: The United States is ready to unleash a war against Iran, if its demands are not fulfilled in April.
31. Kommersant: Russia, China, US Relations Development Examined. (Dmitriy Trenin)
32. AP: Russia to offer air base to US for Afghan transit.
LONG ITEM
34. Peterson Institute for International Economics, Washington, DC: Russia after the Presidential Election: What It Means for the United States. (talk by Michael A. McFaul, US Ambassador to Russia, with Q&A)
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2012-#47
13 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Situation In Russia Will Improve When Putin Becomes President - Poll.
2. RIA Novosti: Putin's Opponents Happy Intelligentsia Poll.
3. RIA Novosti: Exhausted Reporters Plan 'Anti-Demonstration Protest'
4. Russia Profile: Putin's Ponzi Scheme. Russia's Demographic Imbalance May Lead to Prolonged Fiscal Problems for the Kremlin.
5. ITAR-TASS: Police reform does not stop humiliation, torture of detainees.
6. Interfax: Half of Russians Expect Medvedev to Pardon Political Prisoners - Poll.
7. www.russiatoday.com: War on corruption: Civil servants to report expenses.
8. Kommersant: RUSSIA WITHOUT CHANGES. MOST RUSSIANS EXPECT NO CHANGES AFTER THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
9. The National Interest: Igor Yurgens, Russia's Uncertain Future.
10. New York Times: Vladimir Pozner, This Time, Putin May Get the Message.
11. RIA Novosti: Russian Lawmakers to Probe Parliamentary Vote Fraud Reports.
12. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Reform of Russia's political system is prepared hastily.
13. Vedomosti: NURSERY FOR PARTIES. FIRST SUGGESTIONS TO THE PRESIDENTIAL DRAFT LAW ON POLITICAL PARTIES DRAWN AND DISCUSSED.
14. Interfax: Fear Voiced That Planned Russian Law Would Bar Opposition From Winning Parliament Seats.
15. Svobodnaya Pressa: Moscow Expert Says Opposition Parties Will Emerge for 'Painful' Kremlin Reforms. (Nikolay Petrov)
16. Vedomosti: NEW GOVERNMENT: INCOMPATIBILITY. FACTIONS CURRENTLY FIGHTING FOR CONTROL OVER THE FUTURE CABINET WILL RETAIN THEIR CLOUT WITH IT.
17. Interfax: Russian Pundits Preview Likely Cabinet Reshuffles.
18. Moscow Times: Vladimir Frolov, Why Putin Let Prokhorov Enter Politics.
19. Moscow News: Protest leaders in disarray.
20. Nezavisimaya Gazeta editorial: RELOADING SOLIDARITY. PROTESTS AS THEY ARE HAVE EXPENDED THEIR POTENTIAL AND WIND DOWN.
21. Interfax: Crisis Instead of Million-strong March Is in Store For Opposition - Political Experts.
22. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Ban on Protests Damaging to Regional Authorities.
23. Interfax: Russian Lawyer Suggests Public Debate on Rules For Mass Rallies. (Anatoly Kucherena)
24. Russia Profile: Mingling with the Middle Class. Despite Public Misgivings About the Future of the Opposition Movement, Ordinary Demonstrators Remain Positive.
25. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Opposition is missing a leader, fresh ideas.
26. Novaya Gazeta: Commentator Sees Future for Civil Society in Russia. (Yuliya Latynina)
27. Izvestia: Irina Khakamada Says Regime, Opposition Now Need to Shape Reform Agendas.
28. Moscow Times: Michael Marder, The West Is the Opposition's Albatross.
29. The Guardian editorial: Russia: hard graft starts here. It is easy to say what the past three months of mass protests against Vladimir Putin were not. They were not a Russian replay of the Arab spring.
30. Moscow News: Mark Galeotti, For whom the bell tolls. The election is over so which siloviki will make it into the new government?
ECONOMY
31. RBC Daily: THREE YEARS. Another anti-corruption plan is to be discussed and probably adopted.
32. Interfax: Medvedev Meets Experts, Businessmen to Discuss Banking Sector.
33. Interfax: Russian WTO Membership Will Spur Foreign Investment Surge in 2-3 Yrs - Nabiullina.
34. Moscow Times: Business Leader Champions Reform. (Heinrich Weiss of the Russo-German Chamber of Commerce)
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
35. www.nationaljournal.com: Kissinger Defends Putin as 'Russian Patriot'
36. Moscow Times: U.S. Ambassador to Host Town Hall.
37. Russia Profile Weekly Experts Panel: Putin's New Old Foreign Policy. Introduced by Vladimir Frolov. Contributors: Vladimir Belaeff, Dick Krickus, Edward Lozansky, Nicolai Petro.
38. Kommersant: AMERICAN SECRET. WASHINGTON IS SIGNALLING READINESS TO IMPART MISSILE SHIELD SECRETS TO MOSCOW.
39. Interfax: Russian Expert Urges Caution Over US Missile Defence Proposals. (Vladimir Kozin)
40. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: CHICAGO SUMMIT COMPROMISED. Will the president of Russia want to attend the Russian-NATO Council summit in Chicago later this year?
41. New York Times: Russian Opposition Urges U.S. to End Cold War Trade Sanctions.
42. BBC Monitoring: Russia's Lavrov warns against 'geopolitical engineering' in Syria.
43. Interfax: Moscow insists on full investigation of human rights violations in Libya.
44. Eurasianet.org: Central Asia: Russian Influence Overestimated -- Expert. (Alexey Malashenko)
45. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Sergei Markedonov, Russia to stay the course in Eurasia. The return of Vladimir Putin to the Russian presidency should not alter the course Moscow has set in the South Caucasus and the Eurasian sphere.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#46
11-12 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Russians' Social Wellbeing, "personal" Social Optimism Grow - Poll.
2. Interfax: One-fourth of Russians Want New Politician to Become President in 2018 - Poll.
3. RIA Novosti: Putin Has Plan for Russia Spokesman.
4. RBC Daily: CONSIDERING VACANCIES. THE TANDEM BEGAN CONSULTATIONS OVER THE NEXT GOVERNMENT.
5. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Medvedev and Putin began to form a future government.
6. Vedomosti: EXCERPTS FROM THE BUDGET. THE COST OF ALL VLADIMIR PUTIN'S PROMISES IS NOT EXPECTED TO EXCEED 1.5% GDP.
7. Vedomosti: Mikhail Fishman, MOSCOW WITHOUT PUTIN. Presidential election in Moscow became the first fiasco of the power vertical developed and installed by Vladimir Putin.
8. RIA Novosti: Two Quit Kremlin Rights Council Over Alleged Vote Fraud.
9. Moscow Times: Michael Bohm, Putin's Pyrrhic Victory.
10. Canberra Times (Australia): Kiril Nourzhanov, Prepare to accept Putin.
11. Valdai Discussion Club: Nivedita Das Kundu, Russian people want Putin to come back but they want change as well.
12. Vedomosti: Russian Pundit Urges Putin to Implement Political Reform. (Igor Bunin)
13. The National Interest: Peter Lavelle, The Return of Vladimir Putin.
14. Izvestia: CPRF'S NEW STRATEGY. The CPRF: The more things change, the more they remain unchanged.
15. www.opendemocracy.net: Dmitri Travin, Why the opposition lost to Putin.
16. RIA Novosti: Kudrin Plans to Set Up Fund to Support Democratic Reforms.
17. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The action plan was also not offered at an opposition rally.
18. Reuters: Russian protesters face challenge after Putin win.
19. New York Times: Anti-Putin Protesters Struggle to Keep Up Steam.
20. Interfax: Analysts, Opposition Politician See Russian Protest Movement Fizzling Out.
21. AP: New civic activists shine at anti-Putin protest.
22. Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs: David Speedie, Five Big Questions on Russia.
23. Moscow Times: Victor Davidoff, Putin Faces Only 3 Scenarios Going Forward.
24. Novaya Gazeta: Andrey Kolesnikov: 'Absentee Democracy' as Higher Stage of 'Sovereign Democracy' -- Why is the Regime Deceiving Itself?
25. Antiwar.com:Justin Raimondo, Western Hypocrisy and the Russian Election.
ECONOMY
26. RIA Novosti: Putin Calls For More Internal Data from State Firms Paper.
27. Moscow Times: Russia Ranks 2nd for Billionaires.
28. Moscow Times: Ben Aris, BRICs Halfway There.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
29. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Dmitry Babich, Putin's new foreign policy: strategy and self-interest. During Vladimir Putin's first two presidential terms, Russia pursued a more aggressive foreign policy. Will it be more collaborative this time around?
30. www.russiatoday.com: Fyodor Lukyanov, Putin gets back to business after election.
31. Kommersant: G8 SUMMIT SITE. U.S. ADMINISTRATION'S UNEXPECTED GESTURE TO THE FUTURE PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA.
32. www.russiatoday.com: Robert Bridge, Is NATO luring Russia into summit trap?
33. Kommersant: BASHAR AL-ASSAD'S TEN PERCENT. Russia: If the West is determined to topple al-Assad... let it do so without Russia or UN authorization.
34. Washington Post: Syria's Bashar al-Assad firmly in control, U.S. intelligence officials say.
LONG ITEM
35. http://premier.gov.ru: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin wishes Russian women a happy upcoming holiday and takes questions from female members of the government press pool.
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2012-#45
9 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. New York Times: Russian Voters Elect Many First-Time Candidates.
2. Wall Street Journal: Russian Protester Finds Another Path to Change.
3. BBC Monitoring: Russian president congratulates Putin on election win.
4. http://theivanovreport.com: Eugene Ivanov, Tapping on the Shoulder.
5. BBC Monitoring: Putin ready to involve opposition in tackling controversial 1990s privatization.
6. Interfax: Putin Allegation About Opposition "a Little Devious" - Leftist Leader. (Sergei Udaltsov)
7. AP: Saturday protest in Moscow could gauge Russian opposition's spirit, strategy.
8. Reuters: Carnival over for Russian protesters - What next?
9. Vedomosti: Editorial Calls for Non-violence During Election Protests.
10. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Aleksandr Bozhedomskiy, Not Everybody Knows How To Lose. Protest Rallies Have Begun To Turn From Peaceful Actions Into 'Flagrant Provocations by Individuals'
11. BBC Monitoring: Putin's former campaign head predicts end to large-scale opposition rallies. (Stanislav Govorukhin)
12. BBC Monitoring: Russian opposition hampered by lack of strategy - editor. (Yevgeniya Albats)
13. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Andrey Sinitsyn, Some Get a Maydan, Others Get a Fountain. Opposition Rally on Moscow's Pushkin Square Was a Flop for Its Organzers.
14. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Experts Cited on Post-Election Relations Between Regime, Opposition.
15. www.foreignaffairs.com: Joshua Yaffa, Russia's Activists Regroup. The Opposition's Bourgeois Balancing Act.
16. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, What's Next For The Anti-Putin Protests?
17. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Alexey Malashenko, Life after the Russian Presidential Election.
18. Vedomosti: Russian Entrepreneur on Why Putin is Unlikely to Introduce Democratic Reforms. (Sergey Kolesnikov)
19. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Vladislav Inozemtsev, Crisis of Old Age -- Main Result of Election is that Russia Needs New Politicians.
20. Interfax: Prokhorov to Start Building New Party on March 12.
21. Vedomosti: Pundit Sees Prokhorov's 'Elusive' Image as Secret of His Electoral Success. (Andrey Kolesnikov)
22. Russia Beyond the Headlines: How will Prokhorov convert his political ratings?
23. Interfax: Women's Inequality Still Feature of Russia - Veteran Rights Activist. (Lyudmila Alexeyeva)
24. The Nation: Boris Kagarlitsky, Russia After the Election. The opposition movement must be reconstructed anew, from the bottom and from the left.
25. The Economist: Russia's presidential election. Moscow doesn't believe in tears. Vladimir Putin returns to preside over a country whose people have grown increasingly mistrustful of him.
26. Washington Post: Condoleezza Rice, The promise of Russia's urban middle class.
27. Jamestown Foundatio Eurasia Daily Monitor: Pavel Felgenhauer, The Election Season Is Over In Russia And The Time For Repression Has Come.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
28. www.businessinsider.com: Adam Taylor, For All The Bluster, These 3 Reasons Show Russia's Position On Iran May Be Surprisingly Sane.
29. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Putin Seen Genuinely Committed to Improved Relations With USA, West. (Leonid Radzikhovskiy)
30. RIA Novosti: Obama to Congratulate Putin Later - White House Spokesman.
31. Xinhua 'Analysis': Washington Seeks Working Relations With Putin's Russia: Experts.
32. AP: Analysis: Victorious Putin has tricky path with US.
33. Asia Times: Nicolai Petro, How to not lose Russia.
34. New York Times "Room for Debate" section: How Powerful Is Russia? Debaters: David Satter,Sergei Guriev,Kathryn Stoner-Weiss,Dmitri Trenin,Leon Aron.
35. Voice of America Russian Service: Donald Jensen, Russian Election Aftermath: Can the Reset Recover?
36. Civil Georga: NATO Envoy: Georgia Getting Closer to NATO.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#44
8 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. AFP: Russia chooses grannies to sing at Eurovision.
2. Interfax: Russia Is Quite Backward in Bringing Women to Power - Medvedev.
3. BBC Monitoring: Putin officially declared winner in Russian presidential poll.
4. ITAR-TASS: Putin intends to start consultations on new government formation Thursday.
5. AFP: Putin vows 'non-party' presidency for Russia.
6. Interfax: Russians Divided Over Likelihood Of Fair Elections - Poll.
7. BBC Monitoring: Russian opposition should 'get integrated into' political system - Putin.
8. Russia Profile: The Post-Election Blame Game. The Government and Its Critics Trade Blows Over Falsifications.
9. Interfax: League of Voters Defies March 4 Presidential Election Results.
10. Reuters: Austrian lawmaker disputes charge of flawed Russia vote.
11. BBC Monitoring: Putin says violations possibly affected 1 per cent of votes, lauds turnout.
12. BBC Monitoring: Putin says police saved journalists at rally, blames protesters for violence.
13. Interfax: Chief Orders Moscow Police Not To Mistreat Journalists At Rallies.
14. BBC Monitoring: Russian talk show discusses aftermath of presidential vote.
15. Wall Street Journal: Kremlin Puts Off Political Opening.
16. www.democracynow.org: Stephen Cohen on Vladimir Putin, Russia's Opposition and Perils of U.S.-Backed "Democracy Promotion"
17. RIA Novosti: Fyodor Lukyanov, Why I Sympathize With Vladimir Putin.
18. Osobaya Bukva: Anton Orekh: What Is Needed Is Something Specific, Not Simply 'Down With Putin!'
19. Russia Beyond the Headlines: A space for dialogue? Society remains unhappy, but no one is really in the mood to fight. Where to Russia's protestors go from here?
20. Vedomosti editorial: Politics Must Include Compromise With Displeased Society.
21. www.opendemocracy.net: Yuri Saprykin, The way forward for Russia's opposition.
22. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Pollster Sees Public Movement as Chance To Escape From Political Crisis. (Denis Volkov)
23. Voice of America: James Brooke, Russia's Democratic Opposition and Putin's Silent Majority.
24. Vedomosti: Anticorruption Policies Would Boost the Economy, Aleksey Navalnyy Says.
25. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Navalnyy Seen as Unready for Russian Presidency. (Mikhail Rostovskiy)
26. The Daily Telegraph (UK) book review: Oliver Bullough, Vladimir Putin: Russia's strongman. In Masha Gessen's The Man Without a Face and Angus Roxburgh's The Strongman, Putin's dazzling image blinds biographers to his weaknesses.
27. Moscow News: Mark Galeotti, Life, but not as we know it. Vladimir Putin may have won the election, but siloviks and scoundrels agree it won't be business as usual.
ECONOMY
28. Reuters: Russia's Putin hints oil tsar Sechin will keep influence.
29. Moscow Times: Women Breaking Into Corporate Boys' Club.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
30. Bloomberg: Putin Design for Russia May Intensify Tensions With West.
31. AP: NATO chief and Russia's president-elect Vladimir Putin to meet in effort to boost ties.
32. AFP: Putin's Russia stares down West on Syria.
33. Reuters: Beneath the radar, a Russia-Pakistan entente takes shape.
34. AP: Clinton says US prepared to work with Putin.
35. Brookings Institution: Steven Pifer, What Putin's Return to the Presidency Means for U.S.-Russia Relations.
36. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, The Russian Presidential Election and the Future of the Reset.
OTHER RESOURCES
37. The Eurasia Center invites you to a Memorial Performance for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, FDR. March 16, 2012. Washington DC.
38. New issue Russian Analytical Digest: Twenty Years after the Collapse of the USSR : Continuity and Change.
39. Dominique Arel: ASN 2012 Preliminary Program.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#43
7 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times: Natalya Bubnova, Why Women Make Russia a Better Place to Live.
2. www.russiatoday.com: 'Get serious': Putin's message to protesters.
3. Valdai Discussion Club: Presidential Election in Russia: No sensations, no surprises. (interview with Fyodor Lukyanov)
4. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Daily Urges Putin To Look to Needs of Losing 'Minority'
5. ITAR-TASS: Russia no way of stuffing toothpaste back into the tube.
6. RIA Novosti: Dmitry Babich, Will Government Dialogue with Society Continue after Election Win?
7. Izvestia: Levada Center Director On Prospects of Post-Election Protests. (Lev Gudkov)
8. Nezavisimaya Gazeta : Quick Response List. Dmitriy Medvedev Builds Political Reform Into Vladimir Putin's Presidential Policy.
9. Interfax: Putin says there is no political content in Khodorkovsky case.
10. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Russian Experts: 'Weak Opposition' Gave Putin Presidential Election Victory.
11. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Mikhail Rostovskiy, Will Russia Change Before Our Very Eyes? What Putin's Third Term Will Be Like.
12. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Stanislav Belkovskiy, Return of Prodigal Elections; Oppositionists Could Become Governors.
13. RIA Novosti: Russian Monitors: Putin 'Would Still Win' Despite Fraud.
14. www.sublimeoblivion.com: Anatoly Karlin, Why Golos' Own Figures Support Only 3%-6% Fraud.
15. Moscow News: Tea, cookies and ballot fraud. Even the calm of a sleepy village polling station is shattered by ballot-stuffing.
16. AFP: Russia election 'insult to civil society': activists.
17. Vedomosti: PUTIN'S TWO YEARS. OUTCOME OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION INTRODUCED NO CHANGES INTO PROTESTERS' AGENDA.
18. Izvestia: 'Bolotnaya Ploshchad' Effect Will Not Long Outlive Election, Pundit Says. (Vitaliy Ivanov)
19. Moscow Times: Protest Organizers Reach Crossroads.
20. Interfax: Police Acted More Humanely in Central Moscow Than Western Police Do in Such Instances - Russian Foreign Ministry.
21. Russia Profile: Opposition Licks Its Wounds. As Dust Settles Around Putin's Election Victory, Questions Arise Over Opposition Plans.
22. http://lucianinmoscow.blogspot.com: Lucian Kim, The Politics of Fear. (coverage of demonstrations)
23. Izvestia: NAUGHTY ZYUGANOV. PUTIN'S OBSERVERS FOUND MOST FAULTS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF CPRF LEADER GENNADI ZYUGANOV.
24. Moscow Times: Time Is Running Out For Political Veterans.
25. Russia Beyond the Headlines: A self-promoted candidate won municipal elections. For those Russians who had hoped that the March 4 presidential election would bring about a change in Russian politics, spirits were low on March 5 but Max Katz is instead celebrating his victory.
26. Washington Post editorial: Vladimir Putin's tears.
27. Washington Post: Teens choosing death in Russia.
ECONOMY
28. Moscow Times/Vedomosti: Conflict of Interest Cases Found at State Companies.
29. Asia Times: John Helmer, Putin's oligarch killer.
30. Moscow News: Tackling state corruption. Moscow's Plekhanov University looks to develop ways to clean up Russia's system of state tenders.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
31. www.russiatoday.com: Sergey Strokan, Putin and the world.
32. New York Times: Despite Kremlin's Signals, U.S. Ties Remain Strained After Russian Election.
33. www.russiatoday.com: Anti-Russian sentiment spikes in US.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#42
6 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. BBC Monitoring: Russian election campaign was 'devoid of excessive dirt' - Putin.
2. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Dmitry Medvedev heard the voice of the non-system opposition, but they are not satisfied all the same.
3. Bloomberg: Putin Grapples With Urban Russia's Ire as Challenge for Third Kremlin Term.
4. www.russiatoday.com: Putin urges election abuse probe.
5. Moscow Times: Western Observers Call Vote Flawed.
6. Kommersant: Ballot-Stuffing, Bribery Encountered in Presidential Election.
7. BBC Monitoring: Russian journalists, politicians, election NGO detail uncovered vote violations.
8. www.sublimeoblivion.com: Anatoly Karlin, The Provincialization Of Russian Electoral Fraud.
9. Vedomosti editorial: AWAKENING. The castling awakened the active part of society in Russia.
10. Kommersant: PROKHOROV CLIMBED HIGHER. EXPERTS: PROKHOROV'S PERFORMANCE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BECAME HIS PASS INTO BIG-TIME POLITICS.
11. Interfax: People's Choice of Putin Is Wise - Russian Orthodox Church.
12. BBC Monitoring: Russian ex-minister criticizes authorities but accepts Putin's election win. (Aleksey Kudrin)
13. Xinhua 'Analysis': Putin's Election Victory Reflects What Most Russians Want.
14. Novaya Gazeta: Experts Analyze Scenarios for Russia's Post-Election Development.
15. Moscow Times: Navalny, Dozens Others Detained at Rallies.
16. Reuters: Russian protesters fear Putin resorting to force.
17. Novaya Gazeta: Yavlinskiy Urges Protesters To Maintain Nonviolence, Resist 'Provocations'
18. Russia Profile: A Test of Will. Alexey Navalny Starts to Test His Limits.
19. Russia Beyond the Headlines: The voting intelligentsia. RBTH spoke to about a dozen cultural figures as they reflected on election day 2012.
20. BBC Monitoring: Talk show looks at roots of Russians' mistrust in political process.
21. Moskovsky Komsomolets editorial: Putin's Options: Will Russia Change Overnight?
22. Politkom.ru: Commentator: Fight Between Putin, 'Anti-Putin' Will Continue After Elections. (Tatyana Stanovaya)
23. Moscow Times editorial: Taking Russia From Good to Great.
24. Moscow Times: Nikolai Petrov, Why Putin Will Face More Protests.
25. Izvestia: YUKOS AFFAIR TO BE RECONSIDERED. EXPERTS ESTIMATE MIKHAIL KHODORKOVSKY'S CHANCES TO BE SET FREE AS SLIM.
26. Human Rights Watch: Russia: 100-Day Priorities for New President.
ECONOMY
27. Moscow Times: For Now, Markets See Risk Remaining.
28. Russia Profile: The Post-Election Business Barometer. Many Investors Want Putin to Succeed, but Could He?
29. Moscow Times: Chris Weafer, A 'To Do' List for Growth in Putin's Next Term.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
30. Interfax: Russian Election Body To Closely Monitor US Presidential Poll - Official.
31. AFP: West 'Takes Note' of Putin Victory; Balkan, Asian Leaders Welcome Election.
32. RIA Novosti: Russian Pundits Say 'Reset' With USA Over, Mull Future Of Bilateral Ties.
33. The National Interest: Paul Saunders, Another Setback for the Reset.
34. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Former Russian Premier Primakov Warns US Against Intervention in Iran, Syria.
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2012-#41
5 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Bloomberg: Medvedev Orders Khodorkovsky Review as Putin Celebrates Victory.
2. RIA Novosti: Putin Ready to Cooperate with Prokhorov's New Party.
3. BBC Monitoring: Putin blames wind for tears during Russian poll victory speech.
4. Business New Europe: RUSSIA VOTES: Putin returns for possible 12 yrs amid controversy.
5. Reuters: Analysis: Price of victory may be too high for Putin.
6. Reuters: Russian election criticism may spur protesters.
7. AP: Putin's return: Why It Matters.
8. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Russia to face no election run-off.
9. Interfax: Russian Pundits Split Over Putin's Poll Victory, Expect Rise In Protests.
10. Vedomosti: MEDVEDEV'S SUCCESSOR. THE ELECTION WON, LEGITIMACY OF THE REGIME STILL QUESTIONED.
11. Nezavisimaya Gazeta editorial: OLD ELECTION IN A NEW COUNTRY. THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TRANSFORMED ITSELF INTO A COMPETITION BETWEEN VLADIMIR PUTIN AND OTHER "ALSO RUNS"
12. ITAR-TASS: Two "P" and oPPosition in Russia.
13. Ottawa Citizen (Canada): Paul Robinson, Why the people wanted Putin.
14. www.russiatoday.com: Putin wins in Russia, loses big in Moscow?
15. Moscow Times: Prokhorov Touts 'Victory' at Glitzy Reception.
16. www.russiatoday.com: Prokhorov could be Putin 2.0 Russian analysts.
17. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Authorities, opposition left with lessons.
18. New York Times: Russian Turnout Includes Thousands of Eager Election Observers.
19. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Keep the webcams on. Russian Internet users enjoyed watching the voting process online. They would now like the authorities to keep the webcams on.
20. Business New Europe: Reform or not reform.
21. BBC Monitoring: Editor of Russian state TV channel urges protesters to 'calm down.' (Margarita Simonyan)
22. AFP: Long-reigning Putin must avoid stagnation trap: analysts.
23. www.russiatoday.com: Robert Bridge, Payback time for Vladimir Putin.
24. The Economist: Russia's presidential election. It brings a tear to the eye.
25. RFE/RL: Brian Whitmore, News Analysis: Putin Wins A Battle, But Is He Losing The War?
26. Washington Post: Jackson DIehl, The end of Putinism.
ECONOMY
27. Russia Profile: Fanning Discontent. Impending Rise in Gasoline Prices Should Give Kremlin More Concern Than Middle Class Protests, Analysts Say.
28. Bloomberg: Russian Stocks Climb to Seven-Month High on Bets Putin Win Will Fuel Rally.
LONG ITEM
29. http://premier.gov.ru: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with editors-in-chief of leading foreign media outlets. (conclusion)
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#40
4-5 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. AP: Putin claims victory in Russia's presidential vote.
2. Moscow Times: Tearful Putin Declares Victory at Rally.
3. www.aljazeera.com: Anatoly Karlin, Reading the Russian election. Viewing the Russian election as a classical standoff between repression and liberty distorts more than it clarifies.
4. AFP: Russian presidential vote: Live Report.
5. New York Times: Putin Claims Victory in Russian Election.
6. Interfax: Russian presidential administration chief forecasts protest actions to weaken after election.
7. Wall Street Journal: Opposition Leaders Gear Up for Monday Rally.
8. Financial Times: Opposition leader forecasts more protests.
9. www.russiatoday.com: 'Vote not fair!' Losers react to election results.
10. ITAR-TASS: Prokhorov hopes Putin to continue political, economic reforms.
11. Russia Profile: Tycoon's Race Brings Him into Big Politics.
12. Moscow Times: News Analysis: Putin Faces a No-Win Situation.
13. Interfax: Putin's HQ to back demands to void results at polling stations where ballot stuffing registered.
14. Moscow Times: Election Webcams Reveal a Slice of Russian Life.
15. Russia Profile: Big Brother Is Good Entertainment, But Questionable Watchdog.
16. PBS Newshour: Despite Allegations of Fraud, Russia's Voters Demand To Be Counted.
17. RIA Novosti: Dancing, Nude Scenes and Heart Attacks at Russian Elections.
18. http://lucianinmoscow.blogspot.com: Lucian Kim, Bath Time for Putin.
19. Reuters: Expat Russians angry at Putin, wary of home.
20. RIA Novosti: Marc Bennetts, Vladimir Putin: The Man, the State, the Destiny.
21. Moscow Times: Dieter Wermuth, Beware of the Post-Election Bubble.
22. BBC Monitoring: Russian talk show ponders country's future after presidential election.
23. http://lucianinmoscow.blogspot.com: Lucian Kim, Conversation With a Contrarian. (Robert Shlegel)
24. Moscow Times: Vasily Likhachev, Sustaining a Strong Russia.
25. Interfax: Russia's foreign policy to remain the same after election: Kosachyov.
26. Washington Post: Putin heads toward Russia's presidency.
27. Wall Street Journal: Fake Tweet Causes Brief Stir in Russia. (re US Ambassador Michael McFaul)
28. National Public Radio: With Elections, A Look At U.S.-Russian Relations. (interview with McFaul)
29. Wall Street Journal editorial: A Putin Coronation. The Kremlin chief gives himself a new six-year term.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#39
3 March 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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Support JRL: www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/funding.phpYour source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: About 600,000 Russians to Monitor Presidential Elections Online.
2. Bloomberg: Putin Rides Out Russia's Protest Wave on Europe-Beating Record on Economy.
3. New York Times: Putin Gains as Foes Offer Little Threat.
4. AFP: Putin says 'happy' about protests.
5. Interfax: Putin Says His And Medvedev's Ratings Behind Choice of Presidential Candidate.
6. Stratfor.com: Russia: Putin To Appoint Medvedev Prime Minister.
7. The Guardian: How Dmitry Medvedev's mentor turned him into a lame duck.
8. Wall Street Journal: In Russian Steel Town, Putin Woos Voters With Jobs and an Iron Fist.
9. Der Spiegel: Russians Fed Up With Putin's Manipulations. Shadow Economy and Media Control.
10. www.russiatoday.com: Robert Bridge, Long live Vladimir Putin.
11. http://seansrussiablog.org: Sean Guillory, Russian Presidential Election: Known Knowns and Unknown Unknowns.
12. www.russiablog.org: Yuri Mamchur, Putin and the Russians: Who Else If Not "Him"
13. RFE/RL: Tech Boost Arms Citizens To Monitor Russian, Other Votes.
14. Financial Times: Konstantin von Eggert, Carnival spirit is not enough to change Russia.
15. Washington Post: Andrew Weiss, Five myths about Vladimir Putin.
16. Wall Street Journal: THE WEEKEND INTERVIEW. The Man Vladimir Putin Fears Most Alexei Navalny, the rising star of Russia's opposition, on his political strategy and why the latest czar is 'trapped' by power.
17. The Brookings Institution: Questions on the March 4 Russian Presidential Election. Fiona Hill answers some of the major questions surrounding the upcoming Russian elections.
18. Wall Street Journal: Russian Markets Get a Putin Bump. Stocks Soar, Ruble Climbs Ahead of Sunday's Elections as Investors Appear to Buy In to Continuity.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
19. Russia Profile Weekly Experts Panel: Is Putin Preparing Russia for War? Introduced by Vladimir Frolov. Contributors: Vladimir Belaeff, Dale Herspring, Eric Kraus, Dick Krickus.
20. The Globalist: Martin Sieff, The Unfashionably Successful Mr. Putin.
21. John Lough: Is Russia's Foreign Policy Set to Change?
22. UPI.com: Edward Lozansky, The U.S. factor in Russia's election.
LONG ITEM
23. http://premier.gov.ru: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with editors-in-chief of leading foreign media outlets.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#34
27 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times: Putin Takes Commanding Lead in Poll.
2. Business New Europe: Putin set to win in first round.
3. TAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Russia's political landscape one week ahead of the election.
4. Moscow Times: Rise Aside, Top Party's Rebranding To Proceed.
5. Moscow Times: Vladimir Frolov, The Beginning of the End for Vladimir Putin.
6. www.opendemocracy.net: Alexei Levinson, How Putin can become a moderniser.
7. Vedomosti: Nikolai Zlobin, KREMLINOLOGY: PUTIN CANNOT EXPECT TO KEEP HIS PROTEGES SAFE. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VLADIMIR PUTIN AND OTHER CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT.
8. RIA Novosti: Putin Assassination Plot Details Uncovered - State TV.
9. RIA Novosti: Analysts Divided over Putin Assassination Plot.
10. Business New Europe: Ben Aris, MOSCOW BLOG: How credible is the Putin assassination plot?
11. Russia Profile Weekly Experts Panel: Does Medvedev Have a Political Future? Introduced by Vladimir Frolov. Contributors: Vladimir Belaeff, Andrei Liakhov.
12. Moscow Times: Opposition Join Hands in Anti-Putin Protest.
13. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV pundit warns voters of threat from abroad.
14. European Union Institute for Security Studies: Simon Saradzhyan and Nabi Abdullaev, Putin, the protest movement and political change in Russia.
15. Wall Street Journal: Gregory White, After Putin. Even the Russian leader's allies are now contemplating the once unthinkable: a future without him.
16. Der Speigel: Markus Brauck and Matthias Schepp, 'I, Putin.' An Inside Look at Russia's Aging, Lonely Leader.
17. New York Times: Russia's Stock Investors Betting on Putin's Re-election.
18. Washington Post: Kathy Lally, A world of privilege at stake for Putin Loyalists.
19. www.bsr-russia.com: John Bonar, Why is Putin reviled by the west?
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
20. London Free Press: Peter Worthington, Leave Russia alone: There's nothing we can do, so treat the country with benign neglect.
21. AP: Russia's Putin strongly warns against military intervention in Syria, attack on Iran.
22. RIA Novosti: Putin Slams US Quest for 'Absolute Invulnerability'
23. Reuters: No new Cold War, but Putin says is not West's yes man.
24. Izvestia: CONCEPTUAL SUBSTANTIATION. An update on Premier Vladimir Putin's meeting with military experts and political scientists.
25. Moskovskiye Novosti : ABM ATTACK. MOSCOW HOPES TO PROD WASHINGTON INTO A NEW DIALOGUE OVER BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE.
26. New York Times: U.S.-Russian Trade Ties Face Some Political Snags.
27. BBC Monitoring: Influential Russian politician on West's mistakes in Syria and Iran. (Yevgeniy Primakov)
LONG ITEM
28. Moskovskiye Novosti: Vladimir Putin, Russia and the changing world.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#33
24 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Russia Profile: Masha Charnay, A Russian Dreams. Has the Russian Protest Movement Given Birth to a Local Version of the American Dream?
2. Time.com: Rewriting Russian History: Did Boris Yeltsin Steal the 1996 Presidential Election? (DJ: 1996 was the year JRL was founded, at a time when foreign "help" for Yeltsin was real and substantial, including in elections.)
3. Interfax: Putin Vows Not to Allow Interference in Russia's Internal Affairs.
4. BBC Monitoring: TV recalls mess in Russian regions in 1990s, notes Putin's role in combating it.
5. Moscow Times: Putin Rally Raises Bar for Opponents.
6. Interfax: Analysts Claim Pro-Putin Movement Seizes Initiative.
7. RIA Novosti: Changing Tack, Putin Takes His Politics to the Public Square.
8. Bloomberg: Putin to Win Presidential Vote in First Round, Polls Show.
9. Gazeta.ru: Voloshin Predicts Putin Victory in One Round.
10. Russia Profile: Don't Worry, Be Happy. Russia's State Statistics Service Boosts the Mood Ahead of the Presidential Elections.
11. Moscow News: Medvedev in a hurry. The outgoing president is running out of time to fulfill his promises on electoral reform.
12. BBC Monitoring: Aide advises Russian president against taking up prime minister's job. (Igor Yurgens)
13. BBC Monitoring: Russian non-parliamentary opposition sets forth political reform proposals.
14. Moscow News editorial: A new Kremlin troika.
15. http://lucianinmoscow.blogspot.com: Lucian Kim, Putin's Willing Helpers: The Apparatchik. (Gennady Zyuganov)
16. New York Times: Resolute Putin Faces a Russia That's Changed.
17. Financial Times: Russia: A Kremlin of crude calculations.
18. RIA Novosti: Konstantin von Eggert, Putin may need to change his tune.
19. www.snob.ru: Nikolai Zlobin, Everyone has their own Putin.
20. The Independent (UK) book review: Mary Dejevsky, The Man Without A Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin, By Masha Gessen.
21. Kommersant: Dmitriy Oreshkin Predicts Putin Will Pursue Harder Line After March Elections.
22. Kommersant: THE LESS OF UNITED RUSSIA, THE BETTER IT IS LIKED. UNITED RUSSIA'S RATING DEMONSTRATED A SWIFT RISE.
23. Moscow News: A hamster shrugged. When it comes to slogans spin-doctors may be no match for protesters.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
25. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Yevgeny Shestakov, Strengthening the international legal system. Today Russia's foreign policy is more than self-serving it seeks to uphold the international institutions that have served the world as a whole for the last 60 years.
26. Moscow Times: Sergei Karaganov, Russia's Luck Has Run Out.
27. www.russiatoday.com: Fyodor Lukyanvo, Why is Russia anti-American?
28. www.america-russia.net: James George Jatras, Edward D. Lozansky, and Anthony T. Salvia, Time to Take a Realist View of Russia and Putin.
29. Interfax: Putin Says Modernizing Nuclear Forces 'Asymmetric Response' To US ABM Plans.
30. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Dmitri Trenin, Putin's National Security Vision.
31. RIA Novosti: Fyodor Lukyanov, Why Does Russia's Stance on Syria Baffle Everyone?
32. Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs: David Speedie, Russia Bulletin, Issue 3: Russia and Syria. What lies behind Russia's veto and its opposition to the U.S.-led hard line on Damascus? Whether or not we agree with them, Russia has its reasons.
33. Mir Novostei: TRANSSHIPMENT BASE. Afghani transit is the only issue where interests of Russia and the United States coincide.
OTHER RESOURCES
35. R-Research Ltd: Russian presidential elections, 4 March 2012 - 5 main scenarios of vote casting: results of an independent survey.
36. Indiana University Press new book: Nanci Adler, Keeping Faith with the Party: Communist Believers Return from the Gulag.
37. American University in Moscow: February 27 seminar in Washington: RUSSIA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: A STEP FORWARD OR BACK FOR DEMOCRACY?
38. Freedom House: February 27 Upcoming Event: Russia in Advance of its March 4 Elections: Is the Putin Era Coming to an End?
39. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: February 29, Presidential Elections in Russia - What's Next? With Dmitri Trenin and James F. Collins.
40. Heritage Foundation: Russian Pre-Election Situation and Its Political and Policy Implications. March 1.
41. Hudson Institute: March 6, Russia's Presidential Elections: Putinism 2.0 or Better?
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#32
22 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: Google Launches Street View in Russia.
2. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Russia's corruption is invincible.
3. RIA Novosti: Putin: Foreign Meddling Cannot Bring Democracy.
4. RIA Novosti: Russia 'Faces Orange Revolution Threat' After Polls.
5. Business New Europe: Renaissance Capital, Why was I not born an Englishwoman?
6. AP: Russian opposition paper claims Kremlin pressure. (Novaya Gazeta)
7. Interfax: Russians forecast Putin's victory in first round - poll.
8. Russia Profle: Meeting in the Middle. Dmitry Medvedev Met With the Opposition, but Experts Question His True Intentions.
9. Kommersant: OPPOSITION LEADERS ARE READY...for work in the presidential group. THE OPPOSITION CAME UP WITH A CONSOLIDATED POSITION ON AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT LAWS ON POLITICAL REFORMS.
10. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Expert reasons Dmitry Medvedev of premiership.
11. Interfax: Russians Split On For Fair Elections Protests, But Most Are Aware Of Them - Poll.
12. RBC Daily: IRRESISTIBLE AND INESCAPABLE. EVERY SECOND RUSSIAN PERCEIVES NO FAULTS OR SHORTCOMINGS IN PUTIN.
13. Vedomosti: Andrei Kolesnikov, WEAK PUTIN. WHAT ARE VLADIMIR PUTIN'S POLITICAL LIMITATIONS?
14. http://theivanovreport.com: Eugene Ivanov, Putin and Elites.
15. RIA Novosti: Stability in Chechnya Thanks to Putin - Army Commander.
16. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Putin's Article on Defense Assessed by Litovkin.
17. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Mikhail Delyagin, Putin's Social Manifesto Is Irreversible. Words That Everyone Will Remember.
18. ITAR-TASS: Almost 90 percent of polling stations equipped with web cameras.
19. Interfax: Film Director Mikhalkov: Putin's Electoral Defeat to Spell "catastrophe"
20. Interfax: Prosecutor General Warns Against Destabilization During Russian Election.
21. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Experts forecast the future of the party of power.
22. Vedomosti editorial: Putin Accused of Using Taxpayers' Money To Recruit Celebrity Supporters.
23. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Rostovskiy Defends Actress Khamatova's Right To Support Putin.
24. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: PUTIN'S LAMBLIKE OPPONENTS. PUTIN'S ADVERSARIES REFRAIN FROM CRITICISM OF HIS POLICY STATEMENTS AND PIECES IN CENTRAL NEWSPAPERS.
25. Svobodnaya Pressa: Presidential Candidate Zyuganov on Kremlin Disarray, Rise of CPRF.
26. http://lucianinmoscow.blogspot.com: Lucian Kim, Putin's Willing Helpers: The Buffoon. (Vladimir Zhirinovsky)
27. Interfax: Prokhorov to Start Setting Up Rightwing Party Amid Election Campaign.
28. RFE/RL: Tom Balmforth, News Analysis: The Paradox Of Russia's Left.
29. Interfax: Gorbachev: "free Press Is a Thorn in The Side of The Current Government"
30. Interfax: Soft Censorship Widespread in Russia - OSCE.
31. Moscow News: Russia's public TV details revealed.
32. Interfax: Russia's Top Investigator Slams Public Interest Bias Towards Fate Of Accused.
33. Moscow Times: John Freedman, Fo's Tale of Half Putin, Half Berlusconi at Teatr.doc.
ECONOMY
34. Moscow News: Capital flight surge continues.
35. Financial Times: Russia: election fears fade - for now.
36. Moscow Times: The Luxury of Putin's Tax Not Yet Defined.
37. Moscow News: A looming 'lost decade'? Nouriel Roubini, aka 'Dr. Doom,' disagrees with feelgood predictions about Putin's return to the Kremlin.
38. BBC Monitoring: Russian talks show discusses Yeltsin-era privatization results, taxing oligarchs.
39. Moscow Times: Anders Aslund, Putin's Dangerous Reprivatization Idea.
40. RIA Novosti: Medvedev Orders Gazprom to Build South Stream with Maximum Capacity.
41. Moscow Times: U.S. Commercial Offices Part of $43Bln Trade.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
42. Interfax: Over Half Of Respondents Believe Russia Facing No Real Military Threat - Poll.
43. Interfax: Russians Growing More Wary Of USA, NATO - Survey.
44. Interfax: Russia to oppose European missile shield plans unless offered cooperation - Medvedev
45. RIA Novosti: U.S. to Remain Priority in Russian Foreign Policy - Medvedev.
46. Interfax: Russian Lawmaker: Syrian Society "split." (Alexei Pushkov)
47. www.russiatoday.com: Putin warns US against rearming Georgia.
48. www.opendemocracy.net: Baktybek Abdrisaev and Alexey Semyonov, Spring: coming soon to Central Asia?
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- Back to the Top -
2012-#31
21 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Russian Demographics Update: Reports of the Bear's Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated.
2. Moscow Times: Opposition, Medvedev Share Forum.
3. BBC Monitoring: Russian president, unregistered opposition discuss political reform.
4. ITAR-TASS: Russian authorities enter into dialogue with radical opposition.
5. Izvestia: MEDVEDEV WILL THINK ABOUT AMENDMENTS... to the Constitution. MEDVEDEV: THE CLAUSE BANNING MORE THAN TWO TERMS OF OFFICE FOR PRESIDENTS MIGHT BE INSERTED INTO THE CONSTITUTION.
6. Wall Street Journal: Protest Leaders See a Tepid Kremlin Outreach.
7. Russia Profile: Running From Risks. Perceptions of Political Risk Remains High in Russia Despite the Kremlin's Promises of Political Stability after the Presidential Elections.
8. Kommersant: Foreign Trade Bank Head Kostin Calls for Business To Support Putin.
9. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: REVERSE. THE REGIME MANAGED TO BOLSTER THE POWER VERTICAL AT THE COST OF SOCIETY'S TRUST.
10. Vedomosti: FIFTY-EIGHT PERCENT. VCIOM FORECAST: VLADIMIR PUTIN WILL WIN THE ELECTION IN THE FIRST ROUND.
11. Moscow Times: Putin Turns Attention to Military in Manifesto.
12. New York Times: For Russia, a New Kind of Presidential Candidate: a Billionaire. (Mikhail Prokhorov)
13. http://lucianinmoscow.blogspot.com: Lucian Kim, Putin's Willing Helpers: The Geologist. (Sergei Mironov)
14. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Ogoniok: Most Russians won't support nationalists. Leokadia Drobizheva, the director of the Center for Study of Interethnic Relations of the Sociology Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, spoke to the Ogoniok magazine about nationalism in modern Russia.
15. Moscow Times: Nikolai Petrov, The Devil in the Election Bill Details.
16. www.newsweek.com: Masha Gessen, Portrait of the Young Vladimir Putin. The story of the once and future ruler of Russia.
17. Russia Profile: My Protest Is Bigger Than Yours. As the Presidential Elections Approach, Both Sides Gear Up for Post-Election Protests but How Will the Kremlin Respond?
18. BBC Monitoring: Talk show with politicians discusses what Russia should look like.
19. ITAR-TASS: Single e-democracy web portal to be fully launched by the end of the year.
20. Moscow News: Breaking chains to build a future. (re Siberia)
21. Moscow News: Mark Teeter, I loved, they loved, you will love TV English.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
22. Interfax: More Than Half Of Russians Concerned About Foreign Military Threat - Survey
23. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Rogov Examines Impact of Presidential Campaigns on Russian-US Relations.
LONG ITEM
24. Rossiiskaya Gazeta: Vladimir Putin, Being strong: National security guarantees for Russia.
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- Back to the Top -
2012-#30
20 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times: Orphans' Difficulties Stubbornly Unrelenting.
2. Interfax: Experts Should Help Investigate Wave in Child Suicides in Russia - Prosecutors.
3. Interfax: Russians Are Sure Russia Will Develop But Follow Its Own Way - Poll.
4. Moscow Times: Stanislav Belkovsky, Putin's Favorite Radio.
5. ITAR-TASS: Medvedev agrees to discuss reform of political system.
6. Reuters: Russian president to meet protest organisers.
7. Reuters: Putin to win Russian election in first round: poll.
8. Kommersant: NUMBER ONE CANDIDATE. Presidency is as good as Putin's already. What next?
9. Kommersant: "PUTIN'S REBRANDING." AN INTERVIEW WITH POLITICAL SCIENTIST AND UNITED RUSSIA MEMBER OLGA KRYSHTANOVSKAYA.
10. Izvestia: YABLOKO AMENDED PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE. The political reforms suggested by Yabloko echo the ones Medvedev proposed in the Presidential Message.
11. RIA Novosti: Russia: Medvedev Hints He Is To Run For President Again Later - Party Leader.
12. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: PUTIN IS FORMING MEDVEDEV'S CABINET. Personnel for Dmitry Medvedev's future government are handpicked by Vladimir Putin's people.
13. Bloomberg: Advisor: Kudrin Better for Russian Primier. (Igor Yurgens)
14. Financial Times: Putin stands at political crossroads.
15. ITAR-TASS: PRESS REVIEW. Pro-Putin and anti-Putin car rallies held across Russia.
16. RIA Novosti: Russian Pollster Draws Up Composite Profile Of New Generation Protester.
17. Interfax: Russian rallies signify emergence of 'long-talked about' civil society - Patrushev.
18. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Harley Balzer, More than Moscow: Protests in Russia, 1991 and 2011-2012.
19. Moscow Times: No Political Harmony Among Cultural Elite .
20. BBC Monitoring: Russian state TV goes on the attack over charity actress's Putin video.
21. Russia Profile: Selective Muting. Despite Questions About Twitter's New Policy, Russian Twitter Users Will Not Be Censored Anytime Soon.
22. BBC Monitoring: Russian talk show discusses freedom and good citizenship.
23. Russia: Other Points of View: Gordon Hahn, U.S. MAINSTREAM MEDIA DISTORTS RUSSIA'S MAINSTREAM MEDIA (AND MORE).
24. Moscow Times: Spectator's Guide to the March 4 Election.
ECONOMY
25. Moscow Times: Putin Spotted At Forum In Siberia.
26. Interfax: Zubkov Sounds Alarm Bells Over Illegal Withdrawal of Funds From Russian Economy.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
27. Reuters: Putin says before poll Russia needs stronger army.
28. www.russiatodaycom: Russia needs 'smart' military defense Putin.
29. www.russiatoday.com: Bad vibes: Fear of foreign threat soars in Russia.
30. www.russiatoday.com: Fyodor Lukyanov, Results of Medvedev, prospects for Putin.
31. New York Times: For Syria, Reliant on Russia for Weapons and Food, Old Bonds Run Deep.
32. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Russian Pundit Reviews Situation in Middle East, Focussing on Iran and Syria. (Georgiy Mirskiy)
33. The American Interest: Samuel Charap & Mikhail Troitskiy, Eurasian Abrasions. Habits, not interests, are behind U.S.-Russian tensions in post-Soviet space.
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- Back to the Top -
2012-#29
16 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Business New Europe: Kara Sea is ice-free, according to satellite imagery.
2. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Kommersant-Dengi: Stagnation produces political change. While the recent street protests in Russia seem to be all about politics, sociologists and economists believe that they are really the result of stagnation, which makes them an even more potent force.
3. Interfax: Russians mostly positive about Putin - poll.
4. Reuters: Brains behind Putin campaign stays in shadows in Russia. (Vyacheslav Volodin)
5. Kommersant: Russian TV 'Thaw' Covers Broader Topics, Pro-Putin/Opposition Rallies, Campaigns.
6. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Moscow prepares for pre-election rallies.
7. www.russiatoday.com: Moscow to get own Hyde Park as rallies loom.
8. Interfax: Modern election campaigns in Russia dirtier than in 1990s - Zyuganov.
9. RBC Daily: WANTING PRESIDENCY. DMITRY MEDVEDEV IS LOOKING FOR A PLACE FOR HIMSELF IN A REFORMED POLITICAL SYSTEM.
10. Vedomosti: PARTING WORDS. The president met with leaders of political parties to discuss the forthcoming political reforms.
11. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. President meets leaders of registered parties.
12. www.russiatoday.com: New Duma election law put forward by Medvedev.
13. Izvestia; Recent Reshuffles Rejuvenate Russian Presidential Staff.
14. Moscow Times: Ekho Editor in Labor Inquiry, Host Hacked.
15. Russia Profile: A Muffled Echo? Opposition Leaders See the Hand of the Kremlin in Media Shake-Ups.
16. Kommersant: Changes at Ekho Moskvy Said Having All Happened Before.
17. Moscow News: Activists cry foul over new internet registration rules.
18. Interfax: Nashi Movement May Be Dissolved Following Reshuffle in Political Organizations - Newspaper.
19. Moscow Times: Konstantin Sonin, Taxing the Robber Barons of the '90s.
20. RIA Novosti: Russia Overturns Expulsion of French Author. (Anna Nivat)
21. Moscow Times: Sentence Overturned in Osipova Case.
22. Bloomberg: Leonid Bershidsky, Stars and Authors Square Off in Russia.
23. Moscow Times: John Freedman, An Actress at the Center of a Political Firestorm.
24. Reuters: Russia bank used by anti-govt blogger investigated. (re Navalny)
25. Vedomosti: Russian Journalists Investigate Blogger Navalnyy's Funding.
ECONOMY
26. http://oilprice.com: Putin Looking to Modernize Russia's Energy Sector, Bureaucrats Fight Back.
27. Interfax: Investors Will Monitor Russian Presidential Elections - Analysts.
28. www.russiatoday.com: Deputy PM warns shady money taints Russia.
29. Reuters: Analysis - Putin state firms crackdown: more show than substance.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
30. BBC Monitoring: Russia's UN envoy slams Western position on Syria, explains Russian approach. (Vitaliy Churkin)
31. Moscow Times: Nikolai Zlobin, Putin's Besieged Fortress.
32. www.russiatoday.com: 'Russia retains right to play nuclear card' Gen-Staff Chief.
33. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: OBAMA'S ANTI-NUCLEAR SIGNAL TO RUSSIA. THE UNITED STATES SUGGESTS A DRAMATIC REDUCTION OF NUCLEAR WARHEADS.
34. www.eurasianet.org/Stratfor: The Next Stage of Russia's Resurgence: Central Asia.
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- Back to the Top -
2012-#28
15 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times: Prosecutors Withdraw Request for Meeting With Ekho Moskvy Editor.
2. Moscow Times: Ekho Shake-Up Stirs Censorship Fears.
3. ITAR-TASS: Row over Echo of Moscow radio station stirs Russian society.
4. Interfax: Situation Around Ekho Moskvy Board Not New; Candidacies Approved - Source.
5. Interfax: Ekho Moskvy Chief Editor Convinced Putin Did Not Order Attack On Radio Station.
6. BBC Monitoring: Ekho Moskvy radio editor in indignant about political pressure.
7. ITAR-TASS: Mikhail Gorbachev brands reshuffle at Echo of Moscow as a "slap in face"
8. Bloomberg: Russian Vote Monitor Says It's Forced to Move Before March Vote. (re Golos)
9. Vedomosti editorial: Russians Want Equality Before the Law More Than 'Social Justice'
10. Interfax: Putin Wants Russian 'Hyde Park' For Free Expression.
11. www.russiatoday.com: Russian political system needs more space Medvedev.
12. Vedomosti: PLAYING TO WIN. VLADIMIR PUTIN'S REGIONAL ELECTION CENTERS AIM TO HAVE THEIR CANDIDATE WIN IN THE VERY FIRST ROUND.
13. ITAR-TASS: Moscow authorities sanction a rally in Putin's support in Luzhniki on February 23.
14. www.russiatoday.com: Kremlin starts coalition government talks report.
15. Moscow Times: Kremlin Foes Seek to Band Together.
16. www.russiatoday.com: Most protesters seek dialogue with authorities poll.
17. RFE/RL: Brian Whitmore, Administrative (Resource) Breakdown.
18. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: UNITED RUSSIA AND PROTESTS. Will mass protests after March 4 finish off United Russia as the ruling party?
19. Nezavisimaya Gazeta editorial: Longing for Power Vertical; Why Governors Do Not Like Direct Elections in the Regions.
20. Christian Science Monitor: Putin vows to halt Russia's population plunge with babies, immigrants.
21. Vedomosti editorial: Putin's Article on Proposed Social Policy Analyzed.
22. Komsomolskaya Pravda: TV Commentator Lyubimov on Journalism, Need for Development in Russia.
23. www.america-russia.net: Edward Lozansky, Putin: The People's Choice?
24. Financial Times editorial: Time for Putin 2.0.
25. New York Times: Samuel Rachlin, www.putin.skewered.
26. BBC Monitoring: Late night talk show looks at ethnic, religious relations in Russia.
27. Gazeta.ru: Vadim Dubnov, The Russia We Will Never Lose. Fighting Imaginary Separatism Is an Extremely Costly Undertaking.
28. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV accuses opposition figures of being in the pay of the USA.
29. The Irish Times: Putin's machine whips up Russia into state of besieged paranoia.
30. http://inmoscowsshadows.wordpress.com: Mark Galeotti, Sukhodolsky's ouster from the St Petersburg police: Nurgaliev's revenge, brutal MVD politics and a suggestion of a breakdown in silovik etiquette.
31. Moscow Times: With App, Play Politics Is Taking on New Sense.
32. Moscow Times: Peter Cheremushkin, Why Russians Like Vodka More Than Lenin.
33. Reuters: Russia faced major nuclear disaster in 2011.
34. New York Times book review: The Soviet Goose That Laid Golden Eggs. (re RED PLENTY by Francis Spufford)
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
35. Interfax: Tough U.S. Reaction to Occupy Wall Street Protests Surprises Russia.
36. Bloomberg: Dmitri Trenin, How the Iran Nuclear Standoff Looks From Russia.
37. ITAR-TASS: US administration is not interested in starting a war against Iran. (Sergei Rogov)
38. Interfax: Russia's position on Syria reflects Putin's desire to build multi-polar world - German analyst. (Alexander Rahr)
39. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: RUSSIAN PEACEKEEPERS MIGHT BE DEPLOYED IN SYRIA. An update on the Syrian crisis.
40. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: RELYING ON STRATEGIC FORCES. NUCLEAR WEAPONS WILL REMAIN UNAFFECTED BY DEFENSE BUDGET SEQUESTERING.
41. Washington Post: White House weighs nuclear arms cuts, but will wait for more talks with Russia.
42. RBC Daily: LIBYAN SCENARIO FOR TURKMENISTAN? WILL TURKMENISTAN TURN PUT TO BE THE WEAK LINK "IN THE CHAIN OF AUTHORITARIAN CENTRAL ASIAN REGIMES"?
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- Back to the Top -
2012-#27
14 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: Russians Divided on St. Valentine's Day Celebration.
2. Moscow News: Politics is the new sexy.
3. Interfax: Three In Four Russians Not Keen On For Fair Elections Protests.
4. Interfax: Russian Opinion Poll Highlights Growing Popularity Of Social Networking Sites.
5. ITAR-TASS: Authorities turn to social networks.
6. Business New Europe: Russia's bureaucracy bigger than Soviet.
7. New York Times: Putin's Rivals in Russia Gain a Place on the Air, for Now.
8. Wall Street Journal Europe: Russian Immigration Officer Sacked after Expelling French Author.
9. Moscow Times: Putin Plan Targets Population Drop.
10. Financial Times: Putin woos middle class with wage promise.
11. www.russiatoday.com: Nikolay Svanidze, Mobility vs dependency: Putin's new old policy.
12. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Putin Waging Effective Presidential Campaign.
13. BBC Monitoring: Russian REN TV shows a former protester keenly supporting Putin.
14. www.russiatoday.com: Zyuganov, Zhirinovsky slam media for pro-Putin propaganda.
15. www.russiatoday.com: Liberal radio vows no editorial change despite board reshuffle.
16. Washington Post: Owner wields ax at lively Russian radio outlet.
17. Izvestia: COALITION GOVERNMENT. PRELIMINARY CONSULTATIONS OVER A COALITION GOVERNMENT ARE UNDER WAY BETWEEN THE KREMLIN AND PARLIAMENTARY PARTIES.
18. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: VOICE OF NON-PARLIAMENTARY POLITICAL PARTIES. THE DUMA IS WORKING ON LEGISLATIVE FOUNDATION OF THE FUTURE POLITICAL REFORMS.
19. Russia Profile: Breaking Up The Party. Rumors of Reform in United Russia Reveal Split, but Raise Little Hope for Change.
20. BBC Monitoring: Russian election debate: Pro-Putin film director forced to give ground.
21. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Felix Goryunov, Putin divides Russian capitalism. While recent protests show that the Russian public is breaking into two camps - one pro-Putin and one opposition, is the political elite also fracturing?
22. Gazeta.ru: United Russia Asks Members to Back off Amid More Complaints.
23. ITAR-TASS: United Russia accuses opposition of seeking to discredit the presidential election.
24. Bloomberg: Putin Opponents Say Forced First-Round Win Would Harm Legitimacy.
25. ITAR-TASS: Leaders of unregistered opposition party press for liberal wing's unity.
26. Moscow Times: Vladimir Ryzhkov, We Want Reforms, Not Revolution.
27. Moscow Times: Alexei Pankin, The Public Television Predicament.
28. Moscow News: Mark Galeotti, How should Putin fight corruption?
29. AFP: Russians insist Sochi Olympic venues on track.
30. Sergei Roy: Vysotsky As We Knew Him.
ECONOMY
31. RIA Novosti: Putin Needs to Specify Sources for Ambitious Spending Plan - Kudrin.
32. Moscow News: Konstantin von Eggert, Wooing the oligarchs. Putin's suggested one-off tax could help end debates on 'unfair privatization'
33. Moscow News: Investors skeptical on 'oligarch tax'
34. Moscow Times: New Property Tax a Work in Progress.
35. Interfax: Wal-mart Could Enter Russian Market in 2 Years - Senior VP Khasis.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
36. Vedomosti: FAREWELL TO ARMS. The authorities are said to be revising the emphasis on defense and security costs in the budget.
37. Interfax: Lack of Progress in Missile Defense Hinders New Level of Russia-nato - Foreign Ministry.
38. www.russiatoday.com: West may strike Iran by summer - Russian Gen-Staff Chief.
39. Russia: Other Points of View: William Dunkerley, ALEXANDER LITVINENKO: THE RUSSIAN SPY STORY UNRAVELED - IT TURNS OUT HE WASN'T A SPY.
40. Russia Profile: Hats Off to the Arkadag. Elections in Turkmenistan Continue to Undermine Berdymukhammedov's Earlier Reputation As a Reformer.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#26
13 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Washington Post: In Russia, cold is a matter of degree.
2. Moscow Times: Simon Saradzhyan, Creating a Culture of Giving.
3. Kommersant: SOCIAL NETWORKS ARE LEADERS AT THE ELECTIONS. VCIOM has found out that their popularity in Russia grows annually.
4. New York Times: TV in Putin's Russia: Jesters, Strivers and a Longing for Normalcy.
5. BBC Monitoring: Internet film predicts apocalyptic future for Russia without Putin.
6. Slon.ru: Whom Does Putin Listen to? Political Expert Mikhail Vinogradov Told Us About the Channels of Information That Candidate Putin Trusts.
7. BBC Monitoring: Half of Russians say corruption worse than 10 years ago - poll.
8. Interfax: Average bribe quadrupled in Russia last year - minister.
9. Interfax: Suspended jail terms Russia's commonest penalty for corruption - prosecutor general.
10. AFP: Putin vows to reverse Russian population decline.
11. Business New Europe: Putin promises dosh, kids and better services.
12. Moscow Times: Report: United Russia Might Be Dismantled.
13. Moscow Times: VTB's Kostin Proposes Only One More Term for Putin.
14. Moscow Times: VIctor Davidoff, Kremlin's Youth Agency Resembles Cosa Nostra.
15. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Arguments Presented at Pro-Putin, Anti-Putin Rallies Analyzed. (Leonid Radzikhovskiy)
16. Moscow Times: Vladimir Frolov, Protesters Should Copy U.S. Civil Rights March.
17. Moskovsky Komsomolets: THE 'DISCONTENT' HAVE WAKEN UP THE PEOPLE. Vladimir Putin's supporters continue stepping up their rally activities.
18. http://lucianinmoscow.blogspot.com: Lucian Kim, The Disposable President. (re Medvedev)
19. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Putin Mark III Appears to Recognize that Russia is in Crisis. (Andrey Okara)
20. Slon.ru: Akunin Comments on Gorbachev's Role, Whether To Vote on 4 March.
21. Argumenty Nedeli: PURPLE FOR THE NAKED KING. Is there a chance for color revolutions in Russia?
22. Interfax: Khodorkovsky Thinks Yavlinsky Was Most Deserving Presidential Candidate.
23. The Sunday Times (UK): Mark Franchetti, Seeing red; The anti-Putin movement is gathering pace in Moscow, and Alexei Navalny is leading the way. Yet he's no liberal. We meet the unlikely revolutionaries.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
24. Vedomosti: Nikolai Zlobin, IMAGE OF THE ENEMY: PRO-AMERICAN PUTIN.
25. Moscow Times: U.S. Commerce Reshuffle Could Benefit Russia.
26. Interfax: Russian Foreign Ministry Insists on Suspending U.S. Adoptions of Russian Kids.
27. BBC Monitoring: Pundits look at implications of Russian stance on Syria.
LONG ITEM
28. www.russiatoday.com: Vladimir Putin, Building justice: A social policy for Russia.
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2012-#25
10 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. ITAR-TASS: Benefits of the Arctic Ice Thaw Questionable.
2. AP: Putin hails Antarctic lake discovery.
3. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Ben Aris, Four questions about Russia's future. Will Prime Minister Vladimir Putin allow a second round in the March presidential election? Will he improve Russia's economic record? Who will be the next prime minister? Will the opposition find a good leader? These questions remain unanswered.
4. Patrick Armstrong: RUSSIAN FEDERATION SITREP.
5. RIA Novosti: Putin's Support Rises to 53.3% - Poll.
6. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Mass rally supporting Putin is due to take place in Moscow.
7. Interfax: Putin May Join Supporters At Mass Rally In Moscow On 23 February - Spokesman.
8. Valdai Discussion Club: Andranik Migranyan, Putin ready for dialogue.
9. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Sergei Neverov, WHY THERE WILL BE NO ARAB SPRING IN RUSSIA. NO ORANGE REVOLUTION IS POSSIBLE IN RUSSIA.
10. Bloomberg: Putin Said to Plan Dissolving Russian Ruling Party After Presidential Vote.
11. Reuters: Putin made Russian corruption 'civilised'-campaign chief.
12. www.russiatoday.com: Medvedev tells cops to listen to the people.
13. Moscow News: A summer of discontent?
14. New York Times: Putin Support Tepid but Broad in Industrial Russia.
15. Kommersant: GETTING READY FOR ELECTION. Legislators are working on reintroduction of gubernatorial and senatorial elections.
16. BBC Monitoring: State TV promotes Putin as man to take Russia forward.
17. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV looks at Putin's role in bringing business out of shadow on 2000s.
18. BBC Monitoring: Communists say saturation TV coverage of Putin makes presidential poll 'illegal'
19. Gazeta.ru: Commentator: Putin's New Presidency Will Compare Unfavorably With Past Terms. (Gleb Cherkasov)
20. Moscow News editorial: Will Russia turn left?
21. Financial Times: Kremlin has plan B for poll run-off.
22. Slon.ru: CPRF's Zyuganov Interviewed on Election Prospects.
23. http://theivanovreport.com: Eugene Ivanov, The Dinosaur. (re Vladimir Zhirinovsky)
24. Interfax: Russians Do Not Believe in Political Motive of Denied Yavlinsky Registration - Poll.
25. BBC Monitoring: Russian talk show discusses 4 February rallies in Moscow.
26. BBC Monitoring: Russian talk show gives floor to opposition, looks at roots of recent protests.
27. www.foreignaffairs.com: Maria Lipman and Nikolay Petrov, What the Russian Protests Can -- And Can't -- Do. Why Putin's Grasp on Power Remains Firm.
28. The Economist: Russia's protests. Just making our feelings known. Large street protests are transforming Russia's political landscapewith unpredictable consequences.
29. The Economist editorial: Change in Russia. A Moscow spring? Both Vladimir Putin and the West should heed the message behind the protests in Russia.
ECONOMY
30. Business New Europe: Putin calls for 1990s privatization payment.
31. Moscow Times: Putin Has Plethora of Business Ideas.
32. Moscow News: Investors split on Putin 2.0.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
33. Interfax: Medvedev Critical of Foreign Ministry's Analyses.
34. Kommersant: US Presidential Campaign, Putin's Influence, Examined. (Dmitriy Trenin)
35. www.opendemocracy.net: Fyodor Lukyanov, Putin, Russia and the West: rising above the stereotypes.
36. Moscow Times: Michael Bohm, Putin Chasing Imaginary American Ghosts.
38. Interfax: Russian Administration Independent From "Washington Obkom" - Rogozin.
38. Russia Profile: Mind over Matter. Russia Is Trying to Avoid the "Libya Scenario" in Syria.
39. Gazeta.ru: Russia's Lukyanov Comments on Syrian Events, Predicts 'Large-Scale' Civil War.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#24
9 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times: Nation Ticked Off After a Winter of Summer Time.
2. AP: In scientific coup, Russians reach Antarctic lake.
3. Der Speigel: Putin's Unruly Children. A New Generation Aims to Revitalize Russia.
4. Vedomosti: VERTICAL DISLIKED. THE RUSSIANS BELIEVE THAT POWER VERTICAL BREEDS CORRUPTION.
5. Interfax: Experience, Resolve Putin's Forte - Poll.
6. Reuters: Russian patriarch calls Putin era 'miracle of God'
7. Kommersant: POLITICAL REFORMS...will be mapped out for the inauguration. THE DUMA IS SCHEDULED TO TACKLE POLITICAL REFORMS LATER THIS MONTH.
8. Vedomosti editorial: Putin Accused of Ignoring Public Demands in Kommersant Article.
9. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Commentary Takes Critical View of Points Made in Putin's Article on Democracy. (Aleksandra Samarina)
10. Russia Profile: A Three-Ring Circus. Putin Does Not See Any Upside to Taking Part in the Debates.
11. RBC Daily: JUST LIKE PUTIN. DISTRUSTFUL OF OFFICIAL POLLSTERS, THE CPRF CONVENED ITS OWN POLITICAL POLL.
12. BBC Monitoring: Socialite interviews Communist leader in Russian Dozhd TV's new show.
13. Russia Profile: Can't Beat It? Hack It! As Elections Draw Nearer, Opponents Air Dirty Laundry Across New Media.
14. Vedomosti: Opinions of Putin's Prospective Supporters in Presidential Election Reviewed. (Levada's Aleksey Levinson)
15. Business New Europe: Counting the crowds at Russian demos.
16. Moscow Times: Putin Supporters Plan Massive March on Tverskaya.
17. www.counterpunch.org: Israel Shamir, The Tug of War in Moscow. Liberals Stunned by Huge Counter-Demo.
18. Yezhednevnyy Zhurnal: Commentator: Numbers at Pro-Putin Rally of 'No Significance.' (Anton Orekh)
19. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV show profiles participants in opposition, pro-government rallies.
20. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Commentary Examines Possible Scenarios for Russia's Protest Movement After 4 February. (Mikhail Boyko)
22. RIA Novosti: 'Political Prisoners' Return to Russian Politics.
23. www.russiatoday.com: Gorbachev: Putin has run out of gas.
24. www.opendemocracy.net: Vladimir Pastukhov, Vladimir Putin: assessing his place in history.
ECONOMY
25. RIA Novosti: Putin Sets Out Blueprint for Russian Business.
26. www.russiatoday.com: Putin proposes reparations for '90s.
27. Moscow Times: Russia Last in BRICS For Faith in Business.
28. OSC [US Open Source Center] Report: Russia -- Media Skeptical of Putin's "New Economy"
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
29. Jerusalem Post: Anthony Salvia, Who does Washington prefer - Putin or Zyuganov? There is no place in US's revolutionary, utopian view of the world for concepts of national interests, spheres of interest or balances of power.
30. RIA Novosti: Fyodor Lukyanov, Anti-Americanism in Russia.
31. Moscow Times: McFaul Epitomizes Embrace of Social Media.
32. Stratfor.com: RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES: PUSHING TENSIONS TO THE LIMIT?
33. Kommersant: PIR Center VP Polikanov Predicts More 'Missed Opportunities' in NMD Talks.
34. RIA Novosti: Russian Experts Comment On Lavrov's Visit To Syria.
35. Moscow Times: Sreeram Chaulia, Russia Gets Bad Rap Over Syria.
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2012-#23
8 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: ORANGE MIRAGE. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION'2012: THE HEAD OF STATE INSISTS ON CIRCUMSPECTION. Experts say that the authorities mount tension in the country to discourage protests.
2. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Medvedev's Political Future Pondered.
3. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. About the presidential election campaign.
4. Vedomosti: MEETING WITH THE OPPOSITION. PRESIDENT DMITRY MEDVEDEV WILL MEET WITH THE NON-PARLIAMENTARY AND NON-REGISTERED OPPOSITION.
5. Vedomosti: PUTIN MAY CHANGE. RENAISANCE CAPITAL IS CERTAIN OF VLADIMIR PUTIN'S ABILITY TO CARRY OUT REFORMS.
6. BBC Monitoring: Russia's Putin says he is ready to discuss any issue raised by voters.
7. Moscow News: Putin makes election promise to slash the number of VIP privileged cars.
8. Interfax: More Than Half of Russians Criticize Putin For Delegating Representatives to TV Debates - Poll.
9. BBC Monitoring: Head of independent radio admits new Kremlin ideologist's success with rallies. (Aleksey Vendiktov on Vyacheslav Volodin)
10. Russia Profile: The Party Is Over. As Candidates Seek to Disavow United Russia Ahead Of Elections, Party's Future Appears Dim.
11. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Opposition Seen Wary of Putin 'Trap' in Coalition Government Offer.
12. Moscow Times: Campaign Mudslinging Taken to New Lows.
13. BBC Monitoring: Second round is likely, presidential hopeful tells Russian TV. (Mikhail Prokhorov)
14. www.russiatoday.com: Dmitry Polikanov, Russia's two tribes: United by fear of revolution.
15. Interfax: Gorbachev believes Putin should resign.
16. Svobodnaya Pressa: Pundit Oreshkin Predicts 'Elite' Will Be Forced To Use Violence To Retain Power.
17. Moscow Times: Yulia Latynina, Alpha Dog Can't Save Russia.
18. www.foreignpolicy.com: Leon Aron, Putin Is Already Dead. The sweeping protests that have riled Moscow signal the end of Russia's strongman, but the real gains will require millions to adopt the project of democracy and dignity.
19. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Sergei Magnitsky may be convicted posthumously.
ECONOMY
20. Interfax: Half of Officials Should Be Fired - Federal Anti-monopoly Service Director.
21. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Ben Aris, Investors banking on second half of 2012. Investors are optimistic about Russian macroeconomic fundamentals in 2012, even though many analysts anticipate a rough first half of the year.
22. Moscow Times: Martin Gilman, Europe's Debt Problems Cannot Be Ignored.
23. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Struggling to heat freezing Europe. Russian gas major Gazprom struggles with increased demand as Europe suffers through a cold snap.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
24. AFP: Putin warns against 'bull in china shop' actions in Syria.
25. Moscow Times: Lavrov in Syria to Strongly Back Assad.
26. Kommersant: Russian Expert Criticizes Western, Arab League Line on Syria. (Near East Institute President Yevgeniy Satanovskiy)
27. Reuters: Syria raises specter of proxy conflict for U.S., Russia.
LONG ITEM
28. http://premier.gov.ru: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with political scientists..
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- Back to the Top -
2012-#22
7 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. ITAR-TASS: Russia wants to increase life expectancy to 75-80 years by 2025.
2. Interfax: Putin: Daylight savings time issue can be revisited.
3. RIA Novosti: Putin: Yeltsin Gave Russia Freedom.
4. Interfax: Russians Lost Confidence in Democracy And Market in 1990s Over Anarchy, Oligarchy - Putin.
5. Business New Europe: Renaissance Capital, No Genghis Khan and no computer.
6. Business New Europe: Ben Aris, MOSCOW BLOG: Perceptions.
7. Russia: Other Points of View: Patrick Armstrong, WHO YA GONNA BELIEVE...The Associated Press or your lyin' eyes? (DJ: Re size of demonstrations.You should read this piece and explore the links.)
8. RFE/RL: Tom Balmforth, The Politics Of Crowd Estimates In Russia.
9. Kommersant: Contrasting TV Coverage of Rival 4 February Rallies in Moscow Assessed.
10. BBC Monitoring: Talk show looks at results of recent rallies in Russia, asks who needed them.
11. www.russiatoday.com: 'United Russia needs internal democracy' - Putin.
12. Izvestia: PURGE. Putin the candidate for president met with political scientists. MAJOR STAFF CHANGES AWAIT THE CABINET AFTER THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
13. Interfax: Putin Believes in His Ability to "sense" Ordinary People - Political Analyst.
14. Moscow Times: Putin Article Advocates 'True Democracy'
15. Russia Profile: A New Take on Democracy. Putin Says it's Time to "Renew the Mechanisms of Our Democracy"
16. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: DEMOCRACY OF FINE-TUNING. LATEST ARTICLE BY THE PREMIER AS THE AUTHORITIES' ANSWER TO THE QUESTIONS FORMULATED BY MASS PROTESTS.
17. www.russiatoday.com: Nikolay Svanidze, Painting over the cracks: Can Putin-power reform Russia?
18. Interfax: Medvedev Favors Creation of Right Wing Party, Doubts That Kudrin Can Do It.
19. Moscow Times: Medvedev Says Reforms Unrelated to Protests.
20. Moskovskiye Novosti: INSTRUMENTS. President Dmitry Medvedev met with his Support Committee.
21. Kremlin.ru: Meeting with members of the Public Supporters' Committee.
22. Moscow Times: Campaign Begins With Testy Debate.
23. ITAR-TASS: Prokhorov and Mironov refuse to debate with Putin's proxies.
24. Moscow News: Scores of celebs plan to campaign for Putin.
25. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Putin's opponents nominate themselves as an alternative.
26. Moscow Times: Rallies Ushering Out Business as Usual.
27. Moscow News: Protest stays festive, leaderless.
28. Vedomosti: BUMPY REVOLUTION. Citi experts: Investors expect the presidential election to put an end to political uncertainty.
29. Moscow Times/Vedomosti editorial: Putin's Empty Promise of Honest Elections.
30. Moscow Times: Nikolai Petrov, Why Electoral Fraud Is the Better of Two Evils.
31. Moscow News: Mark Galeotti, No, it's not 1991 again. Russia's imperfect democracy is still ruled by the ballot box and not the baton.
32. www.opendemocracy.net: Nicu Popescu, Russia's liberal-nationalist cocktail: elixir of life or toxic poison?
33. Russia: Other Points of View: Gordon Hahn, MAINSTREAM MEDIA JUST CAN'T GET PERESTROIKA 2.0.
34. ITAR-TASS: Medvedev admires foreign anti-corruption experience.
35. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Anatoly Golubev, What it would take to win the war against corruption? Truly fighting the war against corruption requires both significant changes to Russia's legal system and supranational efforts to stop hiding assets.
ECONOMY
36. Russia Profile: The Rich Cry Too. Russia's Rich May Be in for a Raw Deal as Government Mulls Luxury Tax.
37. Interfax: Nationalization of Oil, Gas Sector Impossible - Putin.
38. Moscow News: Markets ignore political risk.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
39. Rossiyskaya Gazeta: To stop one step before chaos. Yevgeniy Primakov: Russia and China have proposed to bring the UN resolution on Syria maximally closer to the existing reality.
40. Kommersant: SOVEREIGN DIPLOMACY. RUSSIA AND THE WESTERN COMMUNITY ARE AT ODDS OVER SYRIA.
41. Interfax: Medvedev: Even "crazy Saakashvili" Has No Doubts About Strength of Russian Bases in S.Ossetia, Abkhazia.
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2012-#21
6 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow Times: Protest Fever Stays High Despite Cold.
2. Business News Europe: Russians brave cold to turn out in droves for peaceful anti-Putin rally.
3. http://lucianinmoscow.blogspot.com: Lucian Kim, A Hot Winter's Day in Moscow.
4. RFE/RL: Perestroika Veterans Pass The Torch To A New Protest Generation.
5. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Authorities respond to the opposition's protests with a rally.
6. New York Times: Putin Aide Says Foreign Hands Are Behind Protests.
7. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: PROTESTS IN CAMPAIGN'2012. THE POWERS-THAT-BE FORMULATED THEIR TACTIC WITH REGARD TO MASS PROTESTS.
8. RIA Novosti: Mass Protests Force Kremlin To Take Heed Of Opposition Demands - Experts.
9. Moscow News: Dmitry Babich, It takes two legs to walk.
10. Moscow Times: Analysis: Expectations Have Changed, but Has Putin?
11. Bloomberg: Putin Will Avoid Russian Presidential Election Debates by Sending Proxies.
12. RIA Novosti: Putin Ponders Corruption, Internet Democracy in New Article
13. www.russiatoday.com: Vladimir Putin, Democracy and the quality of our state. (Kommersant article)
14. ITAR-TASS: Putin to win in the 1st round of elections, his press secretary believes.
15. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Article by Miklhail Zubov incorporating interviews with Levada Center Director Lev Gudkov and Public Opinion Foundation Director Aleksandr Oslon: "Will Bolotnaya Square Protesters Find Themselves in the Minority? Sociologists Do Not See a Second Round"
16. Moscow Times: Investigator Expresses Doubts About Authenticity of Footage.
17. Rossiiskaya Gazeta: EVALUATORS. THE CENTRAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMPLAINED AGAINST THE PRESSURE APPLIED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND THE EUROPEAN UNION.
18. Izvestia: VICE PRESIDENCY TO BE OFFERED. Igor Yurgens of the Institute of Contemporary Development suggested making Medvedev vice president.
19. Russia: Other Points of View: Gordon Hahn, PROBLEMS OF PUTINISM.
20. Stratfor.com: Russia's Shifting Political Landscape, Part 4: Putin's Challenges.
21. New York Times: Thomas Friedman, Russia: Sort of, but Not Really.
22. New York Times: From Success at Putin's Side to Exposing Corruption. (re Sergei Kolesnikov)
ECONOMY
23. Russia Profile: Inflated Expectations. Will Russia Be Affordable for Russians After the Presidential Elections?
24. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Russians wary of investing. A class of Russians with the money and interest to invest in the stock market emerged in the 2000s. Yet, a decade later, they still represent less than 1 percent of the population.
25. Moscow Times: Tom Thomson, Putin's Shareholder Revolt.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
26. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Matvey Ganapolskiy, War Ended Yesterday; But Is Being Unceasingly Continued.
27. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Vladimir Dvorkin, DIFFICULTIES OF LIFE WITHOUT ENEMIES. THE MUNICH SECURITY CONFERENCE OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SETTLE THE EUROPEAN BALLISTIC MISSILE SHIELD CONTROVERSY.
28. www.russiatoday.com: West 'hysterical' and wrong over Syria Lavrov.
29. ITAR-TASS: The Syrian knot: The West yet again failed to use the UN as an instrument of its policy.
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2012-#20
3 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. AP: Putin campaign focuses on working classes.
2. Moscow News: Putin vows to liberalize.
3. Interfax: Putin Discusses Making Difficult Decisions in Democratic Setting.
4. Interfax: Over 50% of Russian citizens want to vote for Putin - poll.
5. Novaya Gazeta: YURGENS: PUTIN IS WEAK. An interview with Igor Yurgens, chief of soon-to-be ex-president Dmitry Medvedev's "think tank"
6. BBC Monitoring: Pundits question Putin's gesture towards right-wing opposition.
7. Moskovsky Komsomolets: If Not Putin, Who?
8. Trud: COALITION GOVERNMENTS. Some experts believe Russia with Putin the president and Medvedev the premier will "rush headlong into a brick wall"
9. Moscow Times: Moscow Ready for Dueling Protests.
10. New York Times: At Moscow Rally, Fighting the Cold and the Kremlin.
11. AFP: Russia's new middle class warriors hit the streets.
12. Interfax: Majority Of Russians Interested In Upcoming Presidential Election - Poll.
13. ITAR-TASS: Russia launches website to monitor election fairness.
14. RIA Novosti: Russian News Agency Publishes Schedule Of TV Election Debates.
15. ITAR-TASS: Opposition wary about Putin's monitoring offer.
16. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Kudrin continues to slam the authorities.
17. Moscow Times: Pro-Putin Film Twists Foes' Words.
18. ITAR-TASS: United Russia finds the accusations concerning forceful attendance of pro-Putin rally to be absurd.
19. Moscow News editorial: How split is Russia's elite?
20. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Presidential Council proposes to pardon Khodorkovsky and Lebedev.
21. Moscow Times: Philip Boobbyer, A More Realistic Vision of Russia's Greatness.
22. Stratfor.com: Russia's Shifting Political Landscape, Part 3: Rising Anti-Kremlin Movements.
23. RIA Novosti: HAVE FUN WITH RUSSIAN: RIA Novosti launches new educational project.
ECONOMY
24. Business New Europe: Putin vows to make Russia an easier place to do business.
25. Interfax: Over 12% of Citizens Live Below Poverty Line in Russia - Putin.
26. Moscow Times: Investors Give Rallies Mixed Reviews.
27. Forbes.com: Kenneth Rapoza, Russia 'Stuck In First Gear'
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
28. Russia Profile Weekly Experts Panel: United States Looms Large in Russian Elections. Introduced by Vladimir Frolov. Contributors: Vladimir Belaeff, Eric Kraus, Dick Krickus, Edward Lozansky, Alexander Rahr, Alexandre Strokanov, Andrei Tsygankov. (DJ: Follow US Ambassador Michael McFaul here: http://moscow.usembassy.gov/ambassador.html)
29. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: A NATO Transit Hub May Be Established in Central Russia.
30. www.russiatoday.com: Fyodor Lukyanov, Why is Russia so resolute on Syria?
LONG ITEM
31. http://premier.gov.ru: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin attends the Russia 2012 investment forum.(with Q&A)
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2012-#19
2 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: Gorbachev Russia's Most Unpopular Leader - Survey.
2. Moscow Times: Putin Says He's Prepared for Runoff.
3. Rossiiskaya Gazeta: PREMIER LEAGUE. VLADIMIR PUTIN MET WITH HIS OBSERVER CORPS.
4. Interfax: Putin Sees Election Rivals as Worthy But Their Ideas Inopportune Or Impracticable.
5. RIA Novosti: Russia's Putin Says Too Busy To Use Social Media, Pledges To Try.
6. Bloomberg: Putin Aims to Dodge Kremlin Runoff as Stability Loses Appeal.
7. Russia Profile: Crocodile Tears. Putin Says He Puts Transparency in the Elections Ahead of Winning in the First Round.
8. Reuters: Anti-Putin protesters battle cold and divisions.
9. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Several meetings are due to take place in Moscow on February 4.
10. Moscow Times: Businessmen Cautious About Protest.
11. Moscow Times: Ben Aris, Who Wants to Be Middle-Class?
12. www.russiatoday.com: Kudrin says Kremlin taking radical steps to liberalize political system.
13. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Vedomosti: Konstantin Simonov, For Putin, too little, too late. The government continues to propose ideas to win over the protestors, but so far they are only superficial.
14. Moscow Times: Konstantin Sonin, Why Honesty Is the Best Policy for Putin.
15. Profil: WANNA TALK ABOUT IT? ODDS ARE AGAINST THE SECOND ROUND OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
16. Interfax: Putin's campaign HQ agrees to cooperate with Voters League in election monitoring.
17. ITAR-TASS: Russian presidential candidates are to get 9 hours of free airtime.
18. Novye Izvestia: DISTRUST AS A TREND. POLLSTERS: RUSSIANS EXPECT OUTCOME OF THE MARCH ELECTION TO BE RIGGED.
19. Interfax: Russian Opposition Calls For Equal Representation In Electoral Commissions.
20. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Regime Seen Adopting New Strategy in Allowing Opposition on Television.
21. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV show looks at standoff between Putin's supporters and opponents.
22. BBC Monitoring: Russian oppositionists, Putin's allies explore alternative ruler scenarios.
23. http://theivanovreport.com: Eugene Ivanvo, The Campaign.
24. Der Spiegel: Interview with Putin Challenger Prokhorov. 'In the Worst Case there'll be Civil War'
25. Moscow Times: Prospects Improve for Mixing Politics and Faith.
26. Stratfor.com: Russia's Shifting Political Landscape, Part 2: Breakdown of the Kremlin Clans.
27. RIA Novosti: Lawmaker Says U.S. Spends Millions on Russian NGOs.
28. ITAR-TASS: State Duma proposes to place a control mechanism on NGOs funding.
29. BBC Monitoring: Russian talk shows discusses Bolshoi theatre, future of country's culture.
30. Reuters: Russia's shiny new Bolshoi grappling with gripes.
ECONOMY
31. RIA Novosti: Putin Calls for Great Leap Forward for Business.
32. www.russiatoday.com: View from above: Putin's take on straightening finances.
33. RBC Daily: BRIBES. Russia joined the International Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials.
34. www.russiatoday.com: Ex-Finance Minister: Russia will soon cut its oil dependency. (Kudrin)
35. www.russiatoday.com: Reform answer to Investor Confidence. (German Gref)
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
36. Moscow Times: Litvinenko's Father Recants Accusations of Russian Involvement in Son's Death.
37. Christian Science Monitor: Why Russia is so opposed to asking Assad to go.
38. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. U.S. intelligence services explain what they expect from Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin.
39. Eurasianet.org: U.S. Intelligence Assesses "Threats" In Central Asia and Caucasus.
40. Jamestown Foundation Eurasia Daily Monitor: Grigory Ioffe, Who Is Losing Belarus? Belarus chooses between Russian culture and Western economy.
41. ITAR-TASS: Russia-Georgia relations gradually heal.
42. RIA Novosti: Fyodor Lukyanov, Will Russia Lose Georgia for Good?
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2012-#18
1 February 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. AP: Putin admits he may face runoff in Russia's presidential election.
2. Reuters: Banner facing Kremlin tells Putin to go.
3. RIA Novosti: Konstantin von Eggert, Putin Plays for Provincial Vote.
4. Vedomosti: LEAVING PUTIN ALONE. CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT REPRESENTING THE PARLIAMENTARY OPPOSITION DECIDED TO LEAVE VLADIMIR PUTIN ALONE.
5. Interfax: Russian Electoral Body Approves Presidential Ballot Paper.
6. Interfax: Over 75 Per Cent Of Russians Believe Putin Will Win Presidential Election - Poll.
7. Moscow Times: Bookmakers Say Odds Are on a Putin Victory.
8. Interfax: One In Two Russians Believes Presidential Election Will Be Fair.
9. RIA Novosti: Russian Voters Are 'Fed Fables' Of Vote Rigging, Says Election Chief.
10. BBC Monitoring: Duma polls were fair, election boss tells popular Russian TV talk show.
11. BBC Monitoring: Russian party fears for its website after posting election fraud suspects list.
12. RIA Novosti: Putin Offers Yabloko Observers Election Monitor Role.
13. Moscow Times: Alexei Pankin, Russians Want Daylight More Than Democracy.
14. Russia Profile: (En)Forcing Cooperation. Administrative Pressure Ahead of Protests Reflects That Little Has Changed Since the Time of the Soviet Union.
15. www.russiatoday.com: Hotline for teachers 'forced to support Putin'
16. BBC Monitoring: Russian Communist leader urges coordinated efforts to prevent election fraud.
17. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. The opposition will stage an alternative rally without the Communists and nationalists on February 4.
18. Interfax: Organizers Of 4 February Protest Outline Main Demands, Plans For Event.
19. Interfax: Criminal Probe Launched Into Phone Tapping - Nemtsov.
20. Gazeta.ru: Russia Needs Administrative Reform of State Institutions.
21. http://lucianinmoscow.blogspot.com: Lucian Kim, Putin vs. Putin.
22. Stratfor.com: Russia's Shifting Political Landscape, Part 1: An Overview of Political Changes.
23. Moscow Times: Vladimir Ryzhkov, Justice Ministry Is Worst Enemy of Pluralism.
24. www.russiatoday.com: Rogozin calls on Russian nationalists to assume rightful role.
25. Moscow Times: Olga Troitskaya, Nationalism Debate Has Become More Civilized.
26. Reuters: Russia blames Mars probe failure on space radiation.
ECONOMY
27. Bloomberg: Russian Economy Expanded 4.3% Last Year, More Than Forecast.
28. www.russiatoday.com: Russia joins anti-corruption convention.
29. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Felix Goruynov, Russia's economy needs a change of strategy. Russia's position vis-à-vis China and the rest of the BRICS show that the decisions made two decades ago continue to plague the country and hold back its economic development. Can today's politicians reverse the trend?
30. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Will the election outcome increase investments? Development in Russia is hindered by political uncertainty, but the March 4 elections are hardly likely to result in the change needed to encourage foreign investors.
31. Business New Europe: Rencap, Leaping over the middle-income trap.
32. Interfax: Putin: WTO Membership "nothing to Be Afraid Of"
33. Novye Izvestia: THE STATE WILL COME TO HELP. THE AUTHORITIES PROMISED AID TO THE SECTORS OF ECONOMY TO BE AFFECTED WHEN RUSSIA JOINED THE WTO.
34. Interfax: Kremlin Revises Lists of Candidates For State Company Boards - Paper.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
36. BBC Monitoring: Russian journalists urge Moscow to challenge US positions in the world.
37. www.russiatoday.com: Sergey Strokan, US presidential race: Time to play the Russian card?
38. Moscow Times: Hints Emerge That 'Reset' Is Buoying U.S. Firms.
39. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Aleksey Arbatov, Escalation of Antimissile Debates; Specialists' Opinions Require Respect.
40. Kommersant: Boris Makarenko, THERE CAN BE NO SIMPLE SOLUTION TO THE SYRIAN CRISIS.
41. Izvestia: OBAMA ADVISED SAAKASHVILI TO CHOOSE HIS SUCCESSOR. MIKHAIL SAAKASHVILI HIMSELF IS THE LAST BARRIER ON GEORGIA'S ROAD INTO NATO.
42. www.foreignpolicy.com: Christian Caryl, The Georgian Paradox. As Georgia's recent experience demonstrates, fighting corruption and building democracy are two different things.
OTHER RESOURCES
43. Russian Politics and Law - New Issue Alert.
44. Social Science Research Council: Webinar: By the Numbers: Quantitative Data Sources in Eurasian Studies.
45. New novel: Jennifer Ciotta, "I, Putin."
46. Russian Analytical Digest: The Russian Diaspora in the USA.
Johnson's Russia List
2012-#17
31 January 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Moscow News: In lieu of debates, Putin pens articles.
2. Russia Profile: A Man of Words. Putin Has Taken to the Press, But Few Have Been Listening, Analysts Say.
3. Moscow Times: Esther Dyson, How Protests and Shopping Changed Russia.
4. Vedomosti: SITUATION. VLADIMIR PUTIN BEGAN AN INDIRECT DIALOGUE WITH PROTESTERS.
5. Russia Profile: All the King's Men. Experts See Jockeying for Position, Kremlin Politics in Davos Speeches.
6. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Ian Pryde, Can we overcome the perception gap? Russian businessmen in Davos were happy to talk about how Western investors have Russia all wrong, but were they really missing the point?
7. Novye Izvestia: DELYAGIN: IT IS LIBERALS AND NOT THE OPPOSITION WHO ARE RALLIED AGAINST PUTIN.
8. Moscow News editorial: Problems of everyday life.
9. Jamestown Foundation Eurasia Daily Monitor: Pavel Baev, The Anti-Putin Momentum Between Davos, Courchevel And Bolotnaya Square.
10. RIA Novosti: Russian Internet TV Show Discusses Role Of Election Observers.
11. Moscow TImes: Protest Organizers Meet to Settle on Demands.
12. Moscow Times: Yavlinsky Says Yabloko Is in the Right.
13. Business New Europe: Ivan Tchakarov, Waiting for Navalny.
14. BBC Monitoring: Former Russian finance minister gives wide-ranging interview to Channel One. (Aleksey Kudrin)
15. Moscow News: Press reports teachers told to attend pro-Putin rallies.
17. Moscow News: Higher learning the foreign kind. Russians' penchant for sending their kids to study abroad may have surprising consequences.
ECONOMY
18. Interfax: Russians Fear Economic Crisis, Unemployment And Inflation More Than Restricted Democratic Rights - Poll.
19. Moscow Times: Putin Realigns Positions in Writings.
20. www.russiatoday.com: Putin's economic program 'liberal mush' Zyuganov.
21. Wall Street Journal: Russian Financial Press Mauls Putin's Economic Plan.
22. Kommersant: ECONOMIC MATTERS. STATE CORPORATIONS ARE TO BE FUSED INTO THE MODERNIZATION VERTICAL.
23. Business New Europe: MOSCOW BLOG: Year of the Water Dragon.
24. Reuters: Analysis: For Putin, tax reform could be harder than winning.
25. Moscow News: Women: the hidden face of Russian business.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
26. Interfax: McFaul Swears He Is Not in Russia to Make Revolution.
27. BBC Monitoring: Russian state TV screens interview with new US ambassador.
28. Moscow Times: Edward Lozansky, How Hillary Clinton Got Back at Putin.
29. Valdai Discussion Club: Angela Stent, Russian foreign policy: challenges for Moscow.
30. Izvestia: QUESTIONS CONCERNING SYRIA. RUSSIA WOULD NOT CHANGE ITS MIND ON THE SYRIAN RESOLUTION.
31. International Herald Tribune: Harvey Morris, Russia's Reasons for Saying 'No' on Syria.
32. Interfax: NATO thanks Moscow for transiting cargo to Afghanistan.
33. Civil Georgia: Saakashvili Says 'Results from Talks with Obama Exceeded Our Expectations'
34. Washington Post: Thomas de Waal, Will Georgia's leader 'pull a Putin' or trust his people?
LONG ITEM
35. Vedomosti: Vladimir Putin, We Need a New Economy.
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2012-#16
30 January 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Russians name their most important books. In response to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's suggestion that a list should be made of the best books in the Russian language, Superjob.ru held an online vote to determine what these are.
2. Valdai Discussion Club: Fiona Hill and Clifford Gaddy, Vladimir Putin's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
3. Moscow Times: Political Plurality Spotted At Davos.
4. www.russiatoday.com: 'Russian runoff could bring unforeseen results.' (interview with Anatoly Chubais)
5. ITAR-TASS: Orange revolution scenario impossible in RF, Naryshkin says.
6. RIA Novosti: Prokhorov Warns About Civil War.
7. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Pundit Yurgens on 'Revolution,' Lessons From History, Hard Work Ahead.
8. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Belkovskiy Examines Possible Post-Election Scenarios for 'Perestroika-2'
9. Argumenty Nedeli: PUTIN'S NEW PHENOMENON. FEW IN RUSSIAN SOCIETY PERCEIVE ALTERNATIVES TO PUTIN.
10. Profil: A FEW WORDS ABOUT PUTIN. An interview with Professor Yelena Shestopal of the Department of Political Psychology at the Moscow State University.
11. Vedomosti: MAN OF THE WEEK: DMITRY MEDVEDEV. Dmitry Medvedev made room for Vladimir Putin and became expendable.
12. Moscow Times: Putin's Aide Raises Doubts on Ruling Tandem. (Stanislav Govorukhin)
13. Interfax: Shvetsova Urges Putin's Campaign Hq to Resist "relentless Criticism" on Internet.
14. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV channels report from elections discussion run by ruling party.
15. RIA Novosti: Khodorkovsky Calls for Dialogue with Putin.
16. AFP: Russian opposition takes protest to Moscow's ring road.
17. Russia Beyond the Headlines: The Russian elite distances itself from Putin. Duma member Ilya Ponomarev is one of the leaders of the anti-government protests that have shaken the Russian capital. Russia Beyond the Headlines' Moritz Gathmann talked to Ponomarev about the demands the protestors are making and what they hope to accomplish.
18. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Alekseyeva Sees Lack of Single Protest Leader as 'Good Thing'
19. Russia: Other Points of View: Gordon Hahn, THE RESURRECTION OF THE RUSSIAN INTELLIGENTSIA AND THE RISE OF RUSSIA'S PROTEST MOVEMENT.
20. New York Times: Russian Liberals Growing Uneasy With Alliances.
21. Washington Post: Putin's Russia tries to sap opposition.
22. Interfax: Gorbachev's Referendum Idea Dangerous to Russian Political System - Analyst.
23. Andrei Buzin, Emergency prophylaxis for the elections in Russia.
24. Moscow Times: Peter Rutland, Putin's Nationality Dilemma.
25. Washington Post editorial: In Russia, perestroika 2.0? If so, Vladimir Putin won't be part of it.
ECONOMY
26. Forbes.com: Russia Stats Looking Better.
27. ITAR-TASS: Systemic corruption main problem of Russian economy - Putin.
28. ITAR-TASS: Putin pledges to bring down the government's stake in big companies in the next four years.
29. Russia Profile: Putinomics 2.0. In the Third in a Series of Newspaper Articles, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Promises Russia a New Economy.
30. Business New Europe: Putin springs no surprises in article on economic policy.
31. Interfax: Russian Authorities Ready to Scale State's Influence on Economy Down Gradually - Kudrin.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
32. Kommersant: "POSITIONS ARE TOO DIFFERENT." An interview with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. (re Russia-US relations)
33. Interfax: Duma Sees No Serious Prospects For U.S.-Russia Reset.
34. Vedomosti editorial: Obama's Socialism.
35. Washington Post: Russia asserting itself against West, this time over Syria regime change.
36. Moscow Times: New Yorker's Remnick on Russian Yin and Yang.
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2012-#15
27 January 2012davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. www.opendemocracy.net: Roman Yushkov and Vassily Moseyev, Flowers on a dung heap: markets, politicians and the demise of Russian rural life.
1a. Transitions Online: Alexander Tretyakov, Communities of Despair. Russian authorities seem oblivious to the stubbornly high teen suicide rate. Troubled youngsters are increasingly looking for solace online.
2. www.russiatoday.com: Putin election HQ: Medvedev 'not helpful enough'
3. RIA Novosti: Playing Nationalist Card May Be 'Fatal' for Russia - Putin.
4. Moscow Times: Michael Bohm, Why Putin Is So Scared of Debates.
5. Russia Profile Weekly Experts Panel: Putin Dodging Hard Questions on his Presidential Platform. Introduced by Vladimir Frolov. Contributors: Vladimir Belaeff, Vlad Ivanenko, Dick Krickus, Alexandre Strokanov and Vitaly Strokanov.
6. Reuters: Putin critic banned from Russian vote. (Grigory Yavlinsky)
7. RIA Novosti: Prokhorov Set to Become 'Main Anti-Putin' Candidate.
8. Moscow News editorial: And then there were five.
9. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Moscow authorities meet opposition half-way.
10. Moscow Times: Opposition Faces Rival Feb. 4 Rallies.
11. Interfax: Russia's Top Senator Welcomes Protests, Is Ready For Dialogue With Opposition. (Valentina Matviyenko)
12. Interfax: Russian Opposition Movement Getting More Organized - Mironov.
13. Interfax: Russian Presidential Rights Council Calls For Public Control At March Vote.
14. Moscow News: Monitor that! Alexei Navalny's RosVybory, the Communists and Just Russia will monitor fraud-prone areas.
15. www.russiatoday.com: 'Change is happening in Russia.' (re Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe debate)
16. Interfax: Large share of election abuses were in favor of United Russia - Bastrykin.
17. Moscow Times: Protests' Ogre Churov Insists He Is Apolitical.
18. www.russiatoday.com: Election boss refutes violations as parliamentarians seek to cut his beard.
19. Interfax: Rights NGO Reports On Detention Of Over 4,000 Activists In Russia In 2011.
20. Russia Profile: WikiKremlin? Julian Assange's New TV Series Sparks Media Controversy.
21. Kremlin.ru: Meeting with students from Lomonosov Moscow State University's Journalism Faculty. (conclusion of transcript)
22. RIA Novosti: Putin Says Brother Died in Siege of Leningrad.
23. http://premier.gov.ru: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with university students in Tomsk. (excerpts)
ECONOMY
24. Business New Europe: Corruption unabated as average bribe grows threefold in 2011.
25. RIA Novosti: Most Corruption Offences In 2011 Found In Healthcare, Education, Housing.
26. www.russiatoday.com: 'Russia's economic woes down to political status quo.' (Igor Shuvalov)
27. Valdai Discussion Club: Global risks for the Russian economy. (Julian Cooper)
28. Moscow Times: IMF Voices Inflation Concerns.
29. Wall Street Journal: Russians Give Their Government Low Grades.
30. Gazeta: Davos Forum: Khodorkovsky and Capital Inflow into Russia.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
31. www.russiatoday.com: Fyodor Lukyanov, Russians prefer to achieve democracy without foreign assistance.
32. Interfax: NATO-Russia Summit Prospects Largely Depend on Reaching Missile-defense Deal - Ministry.
33. The Messenger (Georgia): Government, experts react to potential talks with Russia.
OTHER RESOURCES
34. King's College London Russia Institute Director post.
35. Vacancy for Russia Profile Background Editor.
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2012-#14
26 January 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Moskovskiye Novosti: At odds with society's values. Sociologists have determined out what political values are most highly prized in Russian society and few of them are embodied in Vladimir Putin.
2. Sobesednik: Russian Political Protests Said To Be Leading to Second Perestroyka. (Stanislav Belkovskiy)
3. Kommersant: RATINGS REVERTED TO PRE-ELECTION VALUES. Pollsters: Unless something untoward happens, Putin will win presidency in the first round.
4. RIA Novosti: Russians Divided Over Trust on Elections Pollster Chief.
5. RIA Novosti: Putin's Party Says It Hopes for Fairer Elections.
6. www.russiatoday.com: Viral war waged to take over Kremlin.
7. Voice of America: Internet Opens Russia for Democracy Movement.
8. Interfax: Pavlovsky Extremely Skeptical About Medvedev's Chance to Be President Again.
9. Russia Profile: Taking Back Zhurfak. Medvedev's Return to "Zhurfak" Calms Some of the Anger Left by His Last Visit.
10. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. President meets students of the Moscow State University's Journalism Department.
11. Kremlin.ru: Meeting with students from Lomonosov Moscow State University's Journalism Faculty.
12. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: FORGET DICTATORSHIP. PREMIER VLADIMIR PUTIN MET WITH STUDENTS IN TOMSK.
13. Argumenty Nedeli: WHAT AWAITS MEDVEDEV. WILL DMITRY MEDVEDEV BECOME THE PREMIER AS PROMISED?
14. Novye Izvestia: FRIENDSHIP. Ex-minister Aleksei Kudrin offered Grigori Yavlinsky cooperation.
15. RIA Novosti: Russian Opposition Figures Say Ready To Meet President.
16. www.russiatoday.com: Putin challenger: I'm ready for a fight. (interview with Mikhail Prokhorov)
17. Kommersant: Russian Cities Want to Elect Mayors.
18. Paul Goble: It's 'Too Early' to Celebrate the Return of Elected Governors, URA.ru Says.
19. RFE/RL: Brian Whitmore, The Medvedev Legacy.
20. AP: Putin: crackdown needed on illegal immigration.
21. Financial Times: Charles Clover, Nationalist 'ghost at feast' in Russia.
22. Lucian Kim: Putin vs. Russia's New Nationalists.
23. AFP: Russia sanctions new mass anti-Putin protest.
24. www.russiatoday.com: 'Russian protests could lead to calls for NATO intervention.' (Valeriy Zorkin)
25. RIA Novosti: Reporters Without Borders Downgrade Russia Freedom Rating.
26. Washington Post: Russian TV veers back to familiar ground.
27. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Eugene Ivanvov, The Russian opposition's bad date. Opposition leaders may think they have an ally in new U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul, but the situation could still blow up in their faces.
28. Moscow Times: Europe's Rights Chief Offers Advice on Russia.
29. ITAR-TASS: SK to make additional inquest into Politkovskaya case.
30. Wall Street Journal: Browder (Once Again) Demands Answers Over Magnitsky Death.
31. Transitions Online: Galina Stolyarova, Out of Jail, but Still in Prison. The hellish existence of many of Russia's former inmates is everybody's problem..
ECONOMY
32. Moscow Times/Vedomosti: Oleg Vyugin, Good and Bad News of the Putin Era.
33. Business New Europe: Privatisation plans move on in face of opposition.
34. ITAR-TASS: Russia can become world's big oil producer/exporter -- expert.
35. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Building the engine of progress from the idea up. The innovation city being built in Skolkovo is still a work in progress, but the place is already making its mark on Russia's consciousness.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
36. Bloomberg: Putin Ratchets Up Anti-U.S Rhetoric as Kremlin Race Grows.
37. Interfax: Russian US Ties 'Have Not Deteriorated' Despite Major Differences - Medvedev.
38. Interfax: Half of Russians See NATO as Aggressive Alliance - Poll.
39. Moscow Times: Obama May Push for Jackson-Vanik Repeal.
40. RIA Novosti: Fyodor Lukyanov, What Russia thinks of Syria.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#13
25 January 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. ITAR-TASS: Russia is open country, no dictatorship ever again - Putin.
2. Interfax: Putin: "Education drive" in younger generation must be encouraged.
3. www.russiatoday.com: Putin says ready for criticism, but not obscenities.
4. RIA Novosti: Medvedev Says May Run for President in Future.
5. www.russiatoday.com: 'I'm ready to die for my ideals' - Medvedev
6. RAPSI: Medvedev sympathizes with Khodorkovsky, but sentence remains in force.
7. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: The bets have been made. Speculation as to whether Putin will win in the first round has become the main theme of the election campaign.
8. Moscow Times: News Analysis: Medvedev's Future Dims as Term Ends.
9. Financial Times: Charles Clover, Russia: Politics and uncertainty return to Moscow.
10. Christian Science Monitor: Fred Weir, Putin harnesses Russian nationalism to boost presidential bid.
11. Wall Street Journal Europe: Fraud Cases Tossed by Russia Judges. Saying Putin's Party Padded Vote Total, An Observer Takes Losing Run at Courts.
12. RIA Novosti: Kremlin Human Rights Council Campaigns for Fair Elections.
13. Vedomosti editorial: EYES OR CAMS. KREMLIN'S GARBLED SIGNALS TO REGIONAL AUTHORITIES, ELECTORAL COMMISSIONS, AND ACTIVISTS.
14. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Putin Wants To Win Fairly But Quickly. The Kremlin's Instructions Bring the Regions to an Impasse: They Are Ordered To Hold Clean Elections in a Single Round.
15. Kommersant: New VTsIOM Poll Shows Ruling Party Backed by Minority.
16. Komsomolskaya Pravda: Putin Campaign Manager Govorukhin Interviewed.
17. Moscow Times: A Playwright for Putin. (Nikolai Kolyada)
18. Moscow Times: Kudrin Says Job Swap Not Decided in 2007.
19. AFP: Russian billionaire cleared to stand for president. (Mikhail Prokhorov)
20. ITAR-TASS: Yabloko to appeal after CEC officially denies to register Yavlinsky.
21. Russia Profile: Sour Apples. Yavlinsky's Possible Exclusion from the Presidential Race Raises Speculation of More Kremlin Machinations.
22. BBC Monitoring: Russian Communist leader slams liberal presidential candidate's disqualification.
23. Interfax: Problems With Yavlinsky Signatures a Surprise For Kremlin - Newspaper.
24. Interfax: Info on Faulty Signatures in Yavlinsky's Support Is Most Likely True - Expert. (Igor Bunin)
25. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Rally For Honest Elections due on February 4 in centre of Moscow.
26. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV criticizes opposition figures for holidaying abroad.
27. www.russiatoday.com: Medvedev gives thumbs up to 'Russia without fools'
28. Moscow News: 'Russia without Fools' website flooded with foolishness.
29. Interfax: Russian Election NGO To Launch Website, Hotline, SMS Service To Report Breaches. (Golos)
30. Interfax: Navalny Launches Portal to Monitor Suspicious Polling Stations.
31. Interfax: Magnitsky's Family Skeptical About New Forensic Study Into His Death.
32. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Vedomosti: Igor Shchegolev, The world needs an Internet code of conduct, not regulations. U.S. moves to regulate the Internet go counter to the country's claims about freedom and democracy.
ECONOMY
33. RIA Novosti: Russians Think Economic Prosperity Far Off Poll.
34. Moscow Times: Anders Aslund, Heated, Open Discussions at the Gaidar Forum.
35. Moscow Times: Dieter Wermuth, Watch Out for the Oil Curse.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
36. RIA Novosti: Medvedev Reminds McFaul He's in Russia, Not U.S
37. Bloomberg: U.S. Envoy Rejects Russian Accusation He's Advocating Revolution.
38. Kommersant: "I'M AN ACADEMICIAN AND NOT A PROFESSIONAL REVOLUTIONARY." An interview with U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul.
39. Reuters: Russia says it opposes sanctions on Syria.
40. RIA Novosti: Russian Experts Say EU Sanctions Will Not Be 'Fatal Blow' For Iran.
41. Civil Georgia: Medvedev on Georgia, Saakashvili.
42. Paul Goble: Economic Crisis behind 'Winds of Change' in Post-Soviet States, Analyst Says.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#12
24 January 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. RIA Novosti: Global Warming In Russia Worse Than World's Average - Ministry.
2. Interfax: Most Russians Aware Of Rallies Against Election Fraud, Poll Shows.
3. ITAR-TASS: RUSSIAN PRESS REVIEW. Putin's chances at the elections.
4. ITAR-TASS: Putin calls for return to basic values.
5. Moscow Times: Putin Says Nationalism a Danger to the State.
6. Interfax: Analyst: article on ethnic relations to increase Putin's chances of electoral victory. (Sergei Markov)
7. Izvestia: MINISTRY OF ETHNIC AFFAIRS WITH A QUESTION MARK. Premier Putin met with leaders of the Caucasus republics.
8. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV pundit endorses Putin's article on ethnic relations. (Mikhail Leontyev)
9. www.russiatoday.com: Putin 2.0 in the making.
10. Interfax: New era is beginning in Russia's political life - Kudrin.
11. RFE/RL: Putin's List: 100 Books For Russian Readers.
12. AFP: Putin's liberal challenger faces poll exclusion. (Grigory Yavlinsky)
13. Kommersant: LIST SHORTENED. Grigori Yavlinsky and Dmitry Mezentsev are to be removed from the presidential race.
14. RIA Novosti: Russian Opposition Vows New Rally on Feb. 26.
15. RIA Novosti: Supreme Court Cancels Opposition Party Ban. (re Republican Party)
16. Vedomosti: PRISTINE PUTIN. Governors are instructed to ensure a maximum free and fair presidential election.
17. RIA Novosti: Election Watchdog to Lose Office. (re Golos)
18. Moscow Times: Lack of 'Political Will' Is Blamed for Election Mess.
19. ITAR-TASS: Many election fraud videos are fakes, CEC chairman claims.
20. Interfax: Putin Suggests Putting Bill on Gubernatorial Elections to Pubic Debate.
21. Moscow Times: Nikolai Petrov, Losing Confidence in the Direct Election Bill.
22. RFE/RL: Brian Whitmore, Requiem For A Power Broker?
23. Jamestown Foundation Eurasia Daily Monitor: Pavel Baev, The Political Economy Of The Russian Revolution In The Making.
24. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Ian Pryde, Can a businessman make a good politician?
25. Interfax: New Political-historical Magazine to Come Out in Russia Next Week. (Alexei Venediktov)
ECONOMY
26. Moscow News: Preparing for the worst?
27. Moscow News: Falling, one BRIC at a time.
28. Business New Europe: Russia's offshore love affair palls.
29. www.russiatoday.com: Russians shun self-employment. Russians don't have that entrepreneurial spirit, and it's now official.
30. Moscow Times: Sberbank Swallows Troika Brand.
31. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Skolkovo begins exchange with MIT. The Skolkovo Institute of Technology hopes to learn from the American institution's experience encouraging innovation.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
32. Kommersant: RUSSIA AND U.S. ARE PREPARED TO TACKLE HUMAN RIGHTS. THE RUSSIAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION FOR CIVIL SOCIETY HAS NEW LEADERS.
33. Bloomberg: Obama May Pledge Jackson-Vanik Repeal, U.S. Envoy to Moscow Says.
34. New York Times: New U.S. Envoy Steps Into Glare of a Russia Eager to Find Fault.
35. Nezavisimaya Gazeta editorial: Two Tracks of Ambassador Michael McFaul's Diplomacy.
36. Moscow News: Kissinger advises Putin.
37. Interfax: Moscow Helsinki Group Received Cash From British Diplomat - TV.
38. The Globe and Mail (Canada): Kremlin turns its face to eastern frontier.
39. Voice of America: Russia and Iran: Uneasy Neighbors Since the 16th Century.
LONG ITEM
40. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Putin on 'Ethnic Issue,' Promoting Russian Language, Culture, Moral Values.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#11
23 January 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Putin Reports Best Russian Demography Figures For Nearly Two Decades.
2. Interfax: Poll Shows More Russians Support Democracy Than Socialism, Communism.
3. Interfax: Quite Many in Russia Will Question Legitimacy of March 4 Presidential Vote - Public Opinion Survey Group Head.
4. Interfax: Russian Pollster Expects Putin To Regain Presidency In First Round Of Voting.
5. Interfax: Elections Are Expensive; It Would Be Best to Have One Round of Presidential Election - Stepashin.
6. Voice of Russia: Bureaucratic absurdity goes online.
7. Business New Europe: Putin's second thesis tackles nationality question.
8. AFP: Putin slams ultra-nationalists after protests.
9. Russia Profile: Dear Russia Letter. Putin Addresses the National Question But Misses the Mark, Experts Said.
10. Josh Wilson: 10 Issues to Watch in Russian Politics for 2012.
11. BBC Monitoring: Medvedev 'intends to fight' for his political future - liberal magazine editor. (Yevgeniya Albats)
12. BBC Monitoring: Russian pundit sees mass protests slowly eroding Putin's power base. (Dmitriy Oreshkin)
13. RIA Novosti: Russian Polls Favored United Russia says PACE.
14 Moscow Times: Election Webcam Installation Begins.
15. RIA Novosti: Russian Internet TV Show Discusses Bill On Reintroducing Gubernatorial Elections.
16. Business New Europe: Kremlin tells governors to play it fair during elections.
17. Russia Profile: Maintaining Minimum Goodwill. Despite Losing an Overwhelming Majority in Parliament, Russia's Ruling United Russia Party May Be Spearheading Specific Initiatives Aimed at Preventing More Russians from Sliding Into Poverty.
18. Washington Post: Russia's Communist Party finds itself at a familiar crossroads.
19. Moscow Times: Prokhorov's Platform Courts Protesters.
20. AP: Russian liberal says Kremlin bars him from vote. (Grigory Yavlinsky)
21. Vedomosti: Commentary Sees Russian Authorities' Reaction to Protests as 'Short-Termist'
22. Politkom.ru: Russia's Liberal Opposition Seeking to Become a Legitimate Political Force.
23. RIA Novosti: Putin Does Not Trust Self Proclaimed Protest Leaders - Russian Ex Minister. (Kudrin)
24. Novyye Izvestiya: Russian Writer Bykov Explains Aims and Intentions of New League of Voters.
25. Deutsche Welle: New Russian Left emerges to oppose Putin.
26. IPS: 'Repression May Lead to Revolt.' Claudia Ciobanu interviews Russian opposition leader SERGEY UDALTSOV.
27. RIA Novosti: State TV Attacks NGOs Ahead of Elections - Alexeyeva.
28. RIA Novosti: Human Rights Watch Criticizes Putin Presidential Bid.
29. Moscow Times: Georgy Bovt, Direct Elections Directed by Moscow.
30. Vedomosti: Russian Government Plans Studies of Social Network Users' Interest in Politics.
ECONOMY
31. Vedomosti: Government Setting Aside R200 Billion for 'Second Wave of Crisis'
32. Moscow News: Cash economy faces crackdown.
33. BBC Monitoring: Russian ex-finance minister says defence industry unreformed, unable to deliver, (Kudrin)
34. RIA Novosti: Russian Store Chain Launches Wal-Mart Competitor in U.S.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
35. Valdai Discussion Club: Fyodor Lukyanov, 2011 defined key guidelines for Russian foreign policy.
36. Rossiyskaya Gazeta; Former Foreign Minister Outlines Tasks Facing New US Ambassador McFaul. (Igor Ivanov)
37. Interfax: Nothing New in Meetings of U.S. Ambassador With Opposition; Reset Continues - McFaul.
38. National Public Radio: New U.S. Ambassador Already Facing Critics In Russia.
39. The National Interest: Andranik Migranyan, McFaul's Costly Mistake in Russia.
40. www.opendemocracy.net: Oliver Bullough, Poking with the human rights stick.
41. BBC Monitoring: Russian state TV pundit says Iran war 'inevitable' because 'America needs it'
OTHER RESOURCES
42. Employment opportunity in US Embassy Moscow.
43. Reuters TV: Russia interviews.
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2012-#10
20 January 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Xinhua Analysis: Six To Challenge Putin in Russia's Election, But Results Could Be Hardly Surprising.
2. Interfax: Most Russians Dislike Idea of New Parties Emerging - Poll.
3. Interfax: Latest Russian Poll Shows Support For Putin, Medvedev Edging Up Again.
4. Nezavisimaya Gazeta editorial: Whose Side Is Putin on? Prime Minister's Message to Middle Class Remains Unclear.
5. Moscow News: Putin's emotions spill over.
6. www.russiatoday.com: Putin bets on athletes and sports fans.
7. Wall Street Journal: Putin Ally Signals Readiness for Change, Not Revolution. (German Gref)
8. Interfax: No Political Instability in Russia - Shuvalov.
9. Moscow Times: Voters Create League, and Putin Offers Talks.
10. AFP: Putin slams liberal radio station as editor lauds him.
11. Interfax: Ekho Moskvy Editor Surprised By Putin's Criticism, But Accepts It.
12. Interfax: Putin Offers to Meet With Opposition Activists
13. http://premier.gov.ru: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with heads and editors-in-chief of domestic television and radio broadcasting companies and print media.
14. BBC Monitoring: Russian public protest leaders cautiously welcome Putin's latest remarks.
15. Los Angeles Times: Movement opposed to Russia leader Putin shows signs of strain.
16. New York Times: Chrystia Freeland, Battle Raging at Heart of Russian Elite.
17. Moscow Times: News Analysis: Elected Governors To Benefit Investors.
18. Paul Goble: Local Elections across Russia Give Opposition Chance for Gains, Moscow Paper Suggests.
19. Interfax: Russia's Chief Election Official Likely to Go - Analysts.
20. Moscow Times: PACE Set to Discuss Election Fraud.
21. RIA Novosti: Observers Unhappy About Russian Prosecutors' Report On Election Fraud.
22. Rossiyskaya Gazeta : Putin's next-in-line image. Political scientists talk about the "new" Putin.
23. Moscow Times: Michael Bohm, Why Putin Will Never, Ever Give Up Power.
24. http://lucianinmoscow.blogspot.com: Lucian Kim, Putin's Loneliness.
25. Moscow Times: Sergei Guriev and Oleg Tsyvinsky, Protesters Affirm the Modernization Theory.
ECONOMY
26. Interfax: Purchase of Foreign Sport Clubs, Hyper Consumption Undermine Public Attitude to Business - Putin.
27. Financial Times: Putin to oligarchs: watch out.
28. Interfax: Russia Lacks Business Freedom - Shuvalov.
29. Interfax: Shuvalov Regrets Not Countering "bank to Left" With Privatization During Crisis.
30. RIA Novosti: Russia Needs Innovative Culture - Medvedev Adviser Abyzov.
31. Interfax: Medvedev Names Key Strategic Tasks.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
32. Kommersant: Sergey Lavrov sums up the future. The Foreign Minister talked about the foreign policy we will see under a new president.
33 Interfax: Russia, U.S. Not Adversaries, Not Heading For New Arms Race - Lavrov.
34. Russia Profile: What May Come. Russia's Tough Talk on Foreign Policy Suggests Fear of Internal Revolts.
35. Interfax: Russia must ensure nuclear parity with U.S - Kudrin.
36. Wall Street Journal: Russia Slams New U.S. Ambassador. Authorities Criticize McFaul's Meeting With Opposition Figures; He Calls Them a Routine Matter.
37. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV accuses new US envoy of plans to orchestrate revolution.
38. www.russiatoday.com: Diplomatic damage control: McFaul predicts repeal of Cold War-era legislation.
39. Moskovskiye Novosti: New US Ambassador to Moscow Must 'Minimize' 'Damage' to Bilateral Relations. (Fedor Lukyanov)
40. Moscow Times: U.K. Spy Rock Confirmation May Boost Putin.
41. Civil Georgia: Putin Says No Guarantee that U.S. Will Not Deploy Missile System in Georgia.
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- Back to the Top -
2012-#9
17 January 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Society's Claim For High Standards of Democracy Indicates Success of Past Decade's Policies.
2. Washington Post: Vladimir Putin says he's Russia's indispensable man.
3. RIA Novosti: DmitryBabich, Medvedev Yesterday, Putin Today. Russia, Onward!
4. Moscow Times: In New Tact, Putin Courts Middle Class.
5. Russia Profile: Putin's Policy Hit-and-Run. Putin's Grab for Several Percentage Points Unlikely to Succeed, Say Analysts.
6. Interfax: Russian Politicians Take Issue With Putin Policy Article
7. http://premier.gov.ru: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's article for the newspaper Izvestia.
8. Moscow Times: Kremlin Makes Concession on Gubernatorial Vote.
9. BBC Monitoring: Russian politicians give mixed reaction to bill on gubernatorial elections.
10. RIA Novosti: Medvedev's Weakness Triggered Protests Ex-Kremlin Youth Chief.
11. New York Times: Meeting Fails to Bridge Opposition and Kremlin.
12. Izvestia: Putin's election headquarters will focus on dissidents. Stanislav Govorukhin told Izvestia that he will work with the entire electorate, including those who protested on Bolotnaya Square and Sakharov Avenue.
13. RIA Novosti: Russia's Communists join forces with radicals ahead of polls.
14. Interfax: Authorities, opposition must start talks - Kudrin.
15. RIA Novosti: Russian Authorities 'Not Ready For Talks' - Opposition Leader. (Nemtsov)
16. Interfax: Russia; Future Should Must Be Based on Legitimate Authority - Yavlinsky.
17. Reuters: Billionaire Kremlin hopeful says Putin must change. (Prokhorov)
18. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Big Election Victory Said No Stability Guarantee If Vote Count Disputed.
19. Moscow Times: New Group to Train Election Observers.
20. Moscow Times: Victor Davidoff, Between Change and Status Quo.
21. Paul Goble: No Crisis Exists in Russia But Dangers Abound, Pavlova Says.
22. Moscow Times: Vladimir Ryzhkov, The Decembrists' Manifesto.
23. Russia: Other Points of View: Gordon Hahn, GLASNOST' 2.0, PERESTROIKA 2.0, AND THE NASCENT WHITE REVOLUTION.
24. Moscow News: Mark Galeotti, The very model of a modern military president.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
25. Moscow Times: McFaul Arrives to Keep 'Reset' Alive.
26. Moscow Times: New U.S. Ambassador Meets With Opposition.
27. Interfax: McFaul's appointment as U.S. ambassador in Moscow won't change Russian-U.S. relations - analyst.(Sergei Karaganov)
28. Moscow News editorial: An Obama Yankee in Putin's court.
29. www.russiatoday.com: Sergey Strokan, Mike McFaul: to Russia with love.
31. www.russiatoday.com: 'Iran enrichment move low, but West at fault too'
32. www.russiatoday.com: Fyodor Lukyanov, Will Russia protect Iran?
33. Russia: Other Points of View: William Dukerly, ALEXANDER LITVINENKO: THE WHO-DONE-IT-FRAUD -- WAS HE REALLY MURDERED?
34. Huffington Post: Jason Apuzzo, Why The Cold War Is Back at the Movies in The Iron Lady, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy & Mission Impossible.
35. Bloomberg: Ukraine Enters Final Russia Gas Push as Yanukovych Seeks to Duck Demands.
36. Russia Profile: Voting for Legitimacy. New Multiparty Parliament in Kazakhstan Is a Cover for Politics as Usual, Analysts Say.
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2012-#8
12 January 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. National Public Radio: In Russia, Modern 'Revolution' Comes At Its Own Pace.
2. RIA Novosti: 'Russia without fools' online portal to battle official red tape.
3. www.russiatoday.com: Team Putin launches campaign site.
4. RIA Novosti: Putin wants judges for government, less repressive society.
5. ITAR-TASS: Putin promises to bolster the country's economy if elected president.
6. ITAR-TASS: Putin to accumulate proposals on website in crowdsourcing regime
7. Moscow News: Putin's program promises 'a decent life'
8. Interfax: Putin's program disregards new public sentiment - analyst. (Igor Yurgens)
9. The Ivanov Report: Eugene Ivanov, The Candidate.
10. Interfax: Putin Will Not Participate in Election TV Debates - Spokesman.
11. RIA Novosti: Konstantin von Eggert, Suddenly in Russia, the boldness of the lambs.
12. Interfax: Three-fourths of Russians Expect Putin to Win Presidential Election - Poll.
13. Russia Profile: That Populist Glow. While Putin Will Try to Convince Protesters the Government Is Listening, Protesters Must Decide What They Are Asking For.
14. ITAR-TASS: The tactics for the election campaign developed for Putin.
15. BBC Monitoring: Communist leader sees shifting of sentiments in Russia to left.
16. The Guardian: Russia's era of managed democracy is over, claims presidential candidate. Billionaire tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov who is running in 4 March election says it is time for evolution not revolution.
17. Moscow Times: Work Begins at Anti-Vote Fraud Measures.
18. ITAR-TASS: Duma polls passed without necessary conditions for fair rivalry.
19. Interfax: Russian Prosecutor General Claims Public Protests Funded From Abroad.
20. Interfax: Communists Show Interest in Opposition Rally Set For Feb 4.
21. Interfax: Mironov Ready to Join February 4 Opposition March.
22. Moscow Times: Nikolai Petrov, Once an Alpha Dog, Always an Alpha Dog.
23. Moscow News: Belykh's blog: normal political dialog at last?
24. RIA Novosti: Russian presidential candidates play Khodorkovsky card.
25. www.opendemocracy.net: The Akunin-Navalny interviews (part I).
26. Reuters: Powerful Kremlin ex-staff chief given social policy job. (Surkov)
27. Moscow Times: Tycoon's Graft Bill Fails to Impress.
28. Moscow Times: Zubkov to Head Financial Crimes Task Force.
ECONOMY
29. AFP: Russia clocks GDP growth of 4.2%.
30. Russia Beyond the Headlines/Vedomosti: Economic forecasts for 2012: bad start - good end? Although Russia may not suffer as much as the rest of the world, expect lower rates of growth as the economy searches for new ways to grow.
31. Russia Profile: Business Mood Swings. Russian Entrepreneurs Say They See No Reason to Smile Given the Country's Convoluted Political and Economic Situation.
32. Wall Street Journal: Russia's Capital Flight Intensifies.
33. Interfax: Prosecutors prevent over one million violations of anti-corruption laws in 2011 - Ivanov.
34. www.russiatoday.com: Analyst: Russia fit for credit rating upgrade.
35. www.theworld.org: Dealing With Money in Post-Soviet Life.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
36. Russia Profile: Mr. McFaul Goes to Moscow. As McFaul is Sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to Russia, New Hopes Arise for United States-Russia Relationship.
37. Interfax: McFaul to Begin Tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Russia on Saturday.
38. www.russiatoday.com: Friends in deed: US-Russia rescue mission cutting through ice.
39. Wall Street Journal Europe: U.S. Likely to Press On With Missile Defense in Poland.
40. Interfax: Patrushev Accuses U.S. of Worldwide Imperialist Ambitions.
41. Interfax: Russia must gain superiority in priority defense areas - Rogozin.
42. Reuters: Putin ally fears Israel is pushing US toward Iran war.
43. Christian Science Monitor: Russia worried about a nuclear Iran, but leery of US sanctions.
44. RIA Novosti: Fyodor Lukyanov, The war of nerves around Iran.
45. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV downplays likelihood of armed conflict over Iran's nuclear programme.
46. www.russiatoday.com: 'Don't exaggerate case against Iran' Russia.
47. Russia Beyond the Headlines: When monuments fall: the politics of toppling political sculpture. How do political prejudices affect the cultural heritage of the former Soviet republics?
48. Reuters: Ukraine and Russia at loggerheads over gas volumes.
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2012-#7
11 January 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. www.russiatoday.com: Apocalypse 2012 Cheer up, here's a history lesson.
2. Moscow Times: Putin Pens First Platform In Years.
3. Moscow Times: Government Relations Replacing the Roofs.
4. Izvestia: United Russia is being distanced from Putin's presidential campaign.
5. BBC Monitoring: Russian governor hits back on radio, blog after Putin dressing down. (Kirov Region governor Nikita Belykh)
#6 Barents Observer: Putin does not trust governors' reports
7. BBC Monitoring: Doubt cast on proposed measures to prevent election fraud in Russia.
8. New York Times: Masha Gessen, The Kremlin's Stooges.
9. Interfax: Applications For Status of Candidate For Russian President Accepted Until Jan 18.
10. RIA Novosti: Communist leader pledges pardon for Khodorkovsky if elected president.
11. www.russiatoday.com: Communists urge removal of 'life presidency'
12. Vedomosti: Poll Shows Prokhorov in Best Position Outside Main Parties.
13. Voice of America: Anti-Putin Opposition Robust After Holidays.
14. Reuters: Russia opposition plans February rally against vote.
15. Interfax: Russian Right Wing Movement Calls For New Coalition Based Liberal Party.
16. Washington Post: Far from Moscow, a harsh sentence and political overtones.
17. Kommersant: International observers are allowed to observe. The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights is asked to observe the presidential election.
18. Polit.ru: Putin's Return as President Seen Meaning 'Confrontational Scenario' With Society.
19. Moscow Times: Yulia Latynina, Putin: Results 2011.
20. Slon.ru: Russian Commentary Sees Mood in Society Turning Against Putin.
21. CNN/'Oxford Analytica: How long can Putin hold on?
22. Moscow Times: Boris Kagarlitsky, The Protesters' Lull Before the Storm.
23. Paul Goble: Muslims Join Anti-Putin Movement.
24. AFP: European Rights Court Slams Russian Jail Conditions.
25. ITAR-TASS: Putin against tough measures restricting amateur fishing.
26. www.opendemocracy.net: Oleg Pavlov, Fishing: Russia's other civil battlefront.
27. Trud: Star wars in full swing? (re Phobos-Grunt)
28. Vladimir Shlapentokh: On Putin's Legitimacy and his foreign policy.
ECONOMY
29. Moscow News: Russia marks lowest inflation yet in 2011.
30. www.russiatoday.com: Full transparency for Russian state companies.
31. www.russiatoday.com: Undervalue puts privatisation into question.
32. Interfax-Ukraine: Medvedev: Russia has alternative routes for shipping gas to Europe.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
33. RIA Novosti: New U.S. ambassador to Russia McFaul sworn in.
34. US Department of State: Swearing-In Ceremony for Ambassador-designate to Russia Mike McFaul. (remarks of Secretary of State Clinton)
35. www.russiatoday.com: Russia-US reset entering 'new phase' McFaul.
36. The Voice of Russia: Will McFaul be able to improve Russia-US relations? (Victor Kremenyuk and Alexander Konovalov)
37. Interfax: U.S. Ambassador John Beyrle Leaves Moscow With Optimism About Russia's Future.
38. The Heritage Foundation: John Boehner, Reasserting American Exceptionalism in the U.S.Russia Relationship.
39. AP: Russia concerned about Iran's uranium enrichment.
40. Interfax: Iran can start building nuclear weapon in one year - experts.
41. RIA Novosti: Russian Expert Sees More Threat In Issues Other Than Iran's New Uranium Plant.
42. BBC Monitoring: Russian experts say 'no-one' in Syria wants Al-Asad's departure.
43. Interfax: U.S., NATO Fail Have Failed to Form Efficient Coalition in Afghanistan in 10 Years - Russian Analyst.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#6
6 January 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Russians name Putin, Arshavin, Bezrukov and Kirkorov Persons of the Year.
2. Gazeta.ru: Bad News, Good News: People in Russia Believe the Duma Election Was Dishonest, But They Are Satisfied with It.
3. www.russiatoday.com: Putin's program: New worldview on offer in presidential bid.
4. Russia Profile Weekly Experts Panel: Political Forecast for 2012. Introduced by Vladimir Frolov. Contributors: Vladimir Belaeff, Dick Krickus, Alexandre Strokanov.
5. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Commentary Sees Putin Caught Between 'Hyperclans' of 'Old Family,' 'New Family'
6. Moscow Times: Vladimir Frolov, How Medvedev Tainted Putin's Presidential Bid.
7. Moskovsky Komsomolets: Kudrin hopes new parliament will not last two years.
8. Paul Goble: Putin Needs More Support from Smaller Cities to Ensure First-Round Win, Analyst Says.
9. Gazeta.ru editorial: Winter of Moving Ice. In Preparing for the Elections Putin Is Veering Between Authoritarianism and Reformism.
10. Moskovskiy Komsomolets: Pundits Assess Putin 'Decline,' Popular 'Awakening,' Decentralization 'Sham'
11. Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Erin Solar0, In Praise of Vladimir Putin: Will He Finish What He Started?
12. Slon.ru: Pavlovskiy Views Reshuffle, Says Surkov 'Too Unpredictable' for Putin.
13. Slon.ru: Bloggers, Pundits on Surkov's Transfer From Presidential Staff.
14. AP: Moscow rally shows leftist strategy against Putin.
15. ITAR-TASS: The organizing committee of a February 4 rally toughens demands to the authorities.
16. RIA Novosti: Russian art radicals cleared of hooliganism charges. (Voina)
7. RIA Novosti: Russia doubles penalty for insulting officials.
18. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Actions speak louder than words. Politicians often make outrageous statements, and the year of upheaval that was 2011 brought about more than usual. Here is Russia Beyond the Headlines' list of the 11 most notable political comments of 2011.
19. Russia Beyond the Headlines: The 11 Best Russian Films of the Year. Russia's movie industry keeps developing. The 2011 year saw a lot of interesting and controversial movies that attracted attention from all over the world. Russia Beyond the Headlines sums up the achievements in this field.
20. Australian Boardcasting Company: Russian film industry struggling for survival.
21. Moscow Times: Russia Abroad: Banya Finds an Appreciative New Audience.
22. ITAR-TASS: Fobos probe to fall to Earth on January 10-21.
23. Forbes.com: The Real Russian Revolution: On the Moscow Dinner-plate.
ECONOMY
24. Moscow Times: Free Exchange of the Ruble Marks 20-Year Anniversary.
25. RIA Novosti: Russia's inflation hits post-Soviet low.
26. BBC Monitoring: Russian energy sector enjoyed 'very successful' 2011 - minister.
27. Izvestia: Russia creates strategic petroleum reserve.
28. Wall Street Journal: Ruble Sweats Amid Russian Turmoil.
29. Interfax: Battle for harvest remains in past, work continues as normal - Zubkov. (re agriculture)
30. Moscow Times: Illegal Turnover Equal to 10% of GDP Last Year.
31. Valdai Discussion Club: Sergei Dubinin, Can Russia help the eurozone out of crisis?
32. Telegraph on Sunday (UK): Oleg Deripaska: 'wealthy time' has ended for the eurozone. Oleg Deripaska, one of Russia's leading business figures, has warned Europe that its "wealthy time" is over and that Russia's newly agreed membership of the World Trade Organisation opens up fresh possibilities for British businesses.
33. Russia Beyond the Headlines: The "Blackberry" agency. Andrei Nikitin, 31, is general director of the Agency of Strategic Initiatives (ASI), a group created last summer by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to address concerns of business owners and professionals some of the same people who took to the streets in protest in December.
34. Transitions Online: The New Old World of Wine. Russia's wineries are on the rebound as the rising middle class rediscovers a taste for a long-neglected local product.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
35. www.russiatoday.com: AMD talks with US crumble; Russia beefs up early-warning radar.
36. RIA Novosti: U.S. wishes more progress in missile shield talks with Russia.
37. BBC Monitoring: Russian pundit says world community must intervene in Iran-US conflict. (Vladimir Yevseyev)
38. Kommersant: Belarusian opposition under surveillance.
39. Eurasianet.org: President Romney Would Defend Central Asia From Russia.
40. www.russiatoday.com: 'US builds hospitals in Georgia, readies for war with Iran'
41. Civil Georgia: U.S. Senior Diplomat on Defense Cooperation with Georgia.
42. Interfax: Over 98% of Kazakhstan Citizens Will Vote in Parliamentary Elections - Poll.
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2012-#5
9 January 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Russian PM Attends Service At Church Of His Baptism, Recalls Childhood Years.
2. http://premier.gov.ru: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin attends Christmas service at the Transfiguration Cathedral in St Petersburg.
3. BBC Monitoring: Head of Russian church says no need to go through 'extreme situations'
4. Moscow Times: Church Chimes in on Political Crisis.
5. Russia Profile: Children of the Church. The Russian Christmas Season Is Unusually High on Politics.
6. BBC Monitoring: Russian politician, pundit against Church's involvement in politics.
7. Washington Post: Putin allies urge him to talk to opponents.
8. BBC Monitoring: Ex-minister Kudrin urges dialogue between authorities and opposition.
9. BBC Monitoring: Anti-Kremlin Russian commentators attack Putin, ex-minister Kudrin as his proxy.
10. Svobodnaya Pressa: Russian Experts Dubious about Proposed Talks between Opposition and Kremlin.
11. BBC Monitoring: No sign yet that Russian authorities ready for talks with opposition - activist. (Vladimir Ryzhkov)
12. The Guardian: Natalia Antonova, Another Russian revolution? Not so fast. Ordinary people in Russia haven't been this politically active since 1991 but they're hoping for evolution rather than revolution.
13. New York Times: Smear in Russia Backfires, and Online Tributes Roll In. (re Navalny)
14. Wall Street Journal Europe: Internet Activism Increases in Russia. Moscow Rallies Underscore New Ability of Opposition to Raise Funds Widely for Anti-Kremlin Causes.
15. Svobodnaya Pressa: CPRF Leader Zyuganov on Protest Rallies, Legitimacy of State Duma.
16. Paul Goble: Replacing a 'Bad' Tsar with a 'Good' One By Itself Won't Save Russia, Shteppa Says.
17. Gazeta.ru: Volodin Demands First-Round Victory for Putin in Presidential Election.
18. Gazeta.ru: Corruption Blogger Navalnyy's Credentials as Putin Alternative Questioned. (Andrey Kolesnikov)
19. Moscow Times: Richard Lourie, Putin's 3 Choices.
20. Jamestown Foundatoin Eurasia Daily Monitor: Russian Literature And Blogosphere Join Forces Against Putinism.
21. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Russia's best-kept literary secret. Mikhail Shishkin has won all of Russia's major literary awards, but his work is only just now being translated into English.
ECONOMY
22. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Huge Increase in Military, Law Enforcement Expenditures in 2012- 2014.
23. Gazeta.ru: Sergey Shelin, Economy of Fantasies and Illusions -- Country's Leaders Fear Economic Changes Almost More Than Political Ones.
24. Valdai Discussion Club: Vladislav Inozemtsev, Modernization is as simple as making cheesecake.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
25. ITAR-TASS: Russia NP-39 polar explorers start innovative Arctic experiments.
26. AP: How Threat of Loose Soviet Nukes Was Avoided.
27. New York Times: Philip Taubman, No Need for All These Nukes.
28. BBC Monitoring: Pundit expects no major oil price hike if Iran crisis escalates - Russian TV. (Alexander Rahr)
29. BBC Monitoring: Russian pundit sees deepening crisis in US-Iranian relations, blames both sides. (Vladimir Yevseyev)
30. www.russiatoday.com: Human rights: A global challenge. (interview with Russia's Human Rights Commissioner Konstantin Dolgov)
31. Washington Post: Unlike Russia, Kazakhstan keeps a tight lid on protests ahead of elections.
32. RIA Novosti: Turkmen president calls for multiparty system.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#4
6 January 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. www.russiatoday.com: Russia celebrates Orthodox Christmas.
2. ITAR-TASS: Patriarch Kirill I congratulates believers on occasion of Christmas.
3. Gazeta.ru: Russian Journalists Look Ahead to Key Political Events Expected in 2012.
4. RIA Novosti: Russia's chief election official pledges transparent ballot boxes.
5. BBC Monitoring: Russian election chief dismisses calls for his resignation.
6. AP: Ex-minister urges Russian parliamentary vote rerun. (Kudrin)
7. RIA Novosti: Russian opposition needs two years to challenge Putin's leadership - Kudrin.
8. http://vestnikkavkaza.net: New rules for political parties in Russia will be approved soon - politician. (Vladimir Ryzhkov)
9. BBC Monitoring: Russian opposition politician unimpressed by president's bills. (Ryzhkov)
10. BBC Monitoring: Freed Left Front leader says unity, transparency are topmost priorities. (Sergey Udaltsov)
11. Bloomberg: Russia's Factions Dig In for a Tough 2012.
12. Interfax: Russian Church Spokesman Warns Against Complacency, Calls For National Dialogue.
13. The Irish Times: Daniel McLauglin, Russian leaders face most serious challenge so far. Putin's critics use the internet to say things that can not be reported by state media.
14. Politkom.ru: Aleksey Makarkin, Regime and Opposition: Return of Politics.
15. Scotsman.com: Sergei Guriev, Democratic capitalism will only succeed if middle class prevails.
16. Interfax: HIV Infections In Russia Increasing With Drug Addiction Rates - Health Chief.
17. Nauka i Tekhnologii Rossii: Review of State of Russian Science in 2011, Outlook for 2012.
18. www.russiatoday.com: With old ways forgotten, indigenous communities turn desperate.
19. www.opendemocracy.net: Susanne Sternthal, Let history be judged: the lesson of Perm-36.
ECONOMY
20. Spacedaily.com: Russian river water unexpected culprit behind Arctic freshening.
21. www.russiatoday.com: Online retail and banking boosts consumer mobility.
22. People's Daily Online: 'What Changes China-Russia Oil Pipeline Has Brought?'
23. Brookings Institution: William Partlett, State Capitalism and Russia's Energy Strategy in the Far East.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
24. Japan Times: Andrey Borodaevskiy, Russia's mental adjustment.
25. Interfax: US to have more missile defense talks with Russia.
26. http://news.ninemsn.com.au: Britain warns US not to forget Russia.
27. Pravda.ru: Siberia to separate from Russia to become a part of USA.
28. Valdai Discussion Club: Andrey Kortunov, Expansion prospects for the Common Economic Space.
29. Eurasianet.org: U.S.: Rent for Kyrgyz Air Base To "Buy" President's Reelection.
30. AP: Czechs grant asylum to Tymoshenko's husband.
31. Interfax: Berlin, Washington Call For Demilitarization of Dniester Security Zone.
32. Russia Profile: Unfrozen Conflict? Will Regime Change in Transdnestr Help Thaw the Frozen Conflict?
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2012-#3
5 January 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
JRL homepage: www.cdi.org/russia/johnson
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In this issue
POLITICS
1. ITAR-TASS: The number of Internet users in Russia to reach 90 mln in 2013.
2. RIA Novosti: Russians Put Putin, Medvedev Top Of 'Elite Rating', Followed By Pop Icon.
3. RIA Novosti: Britain's Smokie performs for Medvedev, Putin at Kremlin New Year party media.
4. Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Newspaper's Chief Editor Sums Up Political Results of 2011. (Konstantin Remchukov)
5. Valdai Discussion Club: Alexei Mukhin, Surkov's departure shakes up Russian politics.
6. The National Interest: Paul Saunders, Protests, Putin and the Russian Elite.
7. Jamestown Foundation Eurasia Daily Monitor: Pavel Felgenhauer, Under Political Pressure Putin Moves His Powerbase to the Kremlin.
8. Der Spiegel: 'Russia Has Awoken.' Anti-Putin Protesters Search for Direction.
9. AP: Russian protest leader and unlikely hero of the opposition walks free after a month in jail. (Sergei Udaltsov)
10. RIA Novosti: Russian opposition leader urges activists to set up coordination centers. (Udaltsov)
11. BBC Monitoring: Russian MP worried about protest movement being 'privatized.' (Oksana Dmitriyeva)
12. Paul Goble: Navalny's Nationality 'Policy' Potentially Dangerous, Gontmakher Says.
13. Nauka i Tekhnologii Rossii: Reasons Why Scientists, Intelligentsia Are Attending Protest Rallies.
14. Jamestown Foundation Eurasia Daily Monitor: Tatar Nationalism Remains Vibrant Force in Volga Region.
15. www.minyanville.com: Craig Mellow, Russia Markets: Citizens Search for the Anti-Putin. Street protests will not yield a new president, but maybe a new prime minister.
16. www.opendemocracy.net: Irina Borogan and Andrei Soldatov, The Police International vs Russia's football fans.
17. www.forbes.com: Mark Adomanis, Russia's Demographics are Still Improving - Population Loss on Pace for a 40% Decline.
18. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Art or Vandalism? Moscow is peppered with graffiti tags; the drawings, painting and writing of various artists, who want to leave their mark in the urban jungle. But what is the distinguishing feature of Russian graffiti?
19. www.russiatoday.com: Timber barons wreak devastation in Russia's Far East.
20. Space.com: Doomed Russian Mars Probe May Crash to Earth on Jan. 15.
ECONOMY
21. www.economonitor.com: Ed Dolan, Why the Russian Economy Is No Longer a Big Plus for Putin.
22. Oilprice.com: Will 2012 be a Better Year for Russia's Energy Sector?
23. www.russiatoday.com: Automakers race to Russia. Automakers look for safe harbour on emerging markets as rest of the globe urged into austerity.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
24. Interfax: Roscosmos: Space powers agree on global spaceflights roadmap.
25. Russia Profile: Agreeing to Disagree. Elections Will Have a Cooling Effect on the Dialogue Between Russia and United States.
26. RIA Novosti: America enters referendum year on Obama.
27. Russia Profile: Happy New Mini-USSR. Russia Is Recreating the Soviet Union, One Little Step at a Time.
28. RIA Novosti: Tehran hails Moscow's diplomatic efforts over Iranian nuclear program.
29. RIA Novosti: Fyodor Lukyanov, The Arab Spring in global context.
30. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV defends Syrian authorities, slams foreign interference, Al-Jazeera.
31. ITAR-TASS: Russia's Strategic Rocket Forces plan 11 ICBM launches in 2012.
32. www.publicserviceeurope.com: Geoffrey Kemp, Tim Boersma, and Nicholas Siegel, Is the Arctic really a geopolitical flashpoint of the future?
33. Interfax: Moldovan officials: Peacekeeper force at Dniester checkpoint to be cut after incident.
34. www.worldpoliticsreview.com: Matthew Rojansky, Transnistria Vote Highlights Tension Between Values and Interests.
35. http://news.am (Armenia): War in Karabakh is possible - expert.
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2012-#2
4 January 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
JRL homepage: www.cdi.org/russia/johnson
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Support JRL: www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/funding.phpYour source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Struggling with snow. Russians are well-versed in coping with winter.
2. www.opendemocracy.net: Elena Strelnikova, Russian provincial life: to be or not to be single.
3. Interfax: No New Residences Or Yachts Will Be Built For Russian Leaders in 2012 - Kremlin Official.
4. The National Interest: Fiona Hill and Clifford G. Gaddy, Putin and the Uses of History.
5. www.russiaotherpointsofview.com: Gordon Hahn, PERESTROIKA 2.0 CONTINUES: RUSSIA'S DECEMBER THAW AND THE RETURN OF POLITICS.
6. RIA Novosti: Konstantin von Eggert, Push and pull of Russian power.
7. www.sublimeoblivion.com: Anatoly Karlin, New Year Special: 2012 Predictions.
8. RIA Novosti: Group Set Up To Collect Signatures For Annulment Of Russian Election Results.
9. Jamestown Foundation Eurasia Daily Monitor: Pavel Baev, Russia Reluctantly Enters Into a New Revolution.
10. Paul Goble: New Media, Print and Electronic, Aid Moscow Demonstrations.
11. London Review of Books book review: Stephen Holmes, Fragments of a Defunct State. (re Mafia State: How One Reporter Became an Enemy of the Brutal New Russia by Luke Harding)
12. The Nation: Vadim Nikitin, Back in the USSR. Ever since 1991, Russians have been looking to the Soviet past for comfort and pride.
13. The Nation: Stephen Cohen, The Soviet Union's Afterlife. Twenty years later, questions endure about how and why the nation abruptly dissolved.
ECONOMY
14. BBC Monitoring: Global recession may affect Russian economic growth - presidential aide. (Arkadiy Dvorkovich)
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
15. The Nation: Mikhail Gorbachev, Is the World Really Safer Without the Soviet Union?
16. Russia Beyond the Headlines: Igor Ivanov, Political will is not enough. The only way Russia-U.S. relations will really improve is if the reset is broadened beyond politics to include other areas of cooperation.
17. www.foreignpolicy.com: David Hoffman, For nukes, another lost year.
18. New York Times: Shooting at Checkpoint Raises Tensions in a Disputed Region Claimed by Moldova.
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Johnson's Russia List
2012-#1
3 January 2012
davidjohnson@starpower.net
A World Security Institute Project
www.worldsecurityinstitute.org
JRL homepage: www.cdi.org/russia/johnson
JRL on Facebook: www.facebook.com/russialist
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Support JRL: www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/funding.phpYour source for news and analysis since 1996
In this issue
POLITICS
1. Interfax: Russians Were Impressed The Most By Sinking of Bulgaria, Lokomotiv Crash in 2011 - Poll.
2. RIA Novosti: Russians expect protests, political upheavals but no coup in 2012.
3. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV broadcasts New Year address by President Medvedev.
4. http://premier.gov.ru: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin wishes Russians well-being and prosperity in the New Year.
5. AP: Putin Sends New Year's Greetings, With A Wink.
6. www.russiatoday.com: The year of dissent: Russia between change and chaos.
7. http://theivanovreport.com: Eugene Ivanov, The president for the next four months.
8. Paul Goble: Window on Eurasia: Existence of 'Four [Different] Russias' Complicates Political Struggle, Moscow Analyst Says. (Welcome back Paul!)
10. New York Times: A Dilemma for Russian Leaders: To Suppress Protests or Not.
11. New York Times: Masha Gessen, Christmas Blues in Russia.
12. CNN: Human rights activist, 84, sees hope in Russian protests. (Lyudmila Alexeyeva)
13. BBC Monitoring: Russian ex-minister, opposition discuss possible talks between Putin, protesters. (Kudrin)
14. BBC Monitoring: Russian oligarch can enlist support of part of opposition at presidential poll.
15. BBC Monitoring: Russian oligarch, ex-minister most likely to form right-wing party - pundit.
16. BBC Monitoring: Russian expert says Kremlin to benefit from emergence of new parties. (Stanislav Belkovskiy)
17. BBC Monitoring: Yabloko presidential hopeful upbeat on upcoming Russian election. (Grigoriy Yavlinskiy)
18. Interfax: Mironov Calls Bolotnaya Square, Sakharov Avenue Rallies a Key Result of 2011.
19. Wall Street Journal: Russian Protesters Set a Plan for 2012.
20. www.democracynow.org: Election Fraud Galvanizes Russian Opposition, Communist Party 20 Years After Soviet Union's Collapse. (with Stephen Cohen)
21. Interfax: Revival of Gubernatorial Elections Best Prospect For Russia - Kadyrov.
22. Interfax: Chechen Leader Says Less Than 50 Militants Left In Chechnya.
23. BBC Monitoring: TV report accuses Russian penal system of 'torture and murder'
24. BBC Monitoring: Russian TV takes a dim view of four-year military reform.
25. ITAR-TASS: Moscow in 2011, 2012 - a look back, a look forward.
ECONOMY
26. www.russiatoday.com: Russian economy to drag in year of Dragon.
27. www.russiatoday.com: What's in it for me? Russians & WTO.
28. Reuters: Russia 2011 oil output at new post-Soviet record high.
29. Interfax: YEAR IN REVIEW: Pursuing Pipelines.
30. ITAR-TASS: Russian scientists develop new generation electronics technology.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
31. ITAR-TASS: Top ten events in world in 2011.
32. Interfax: U.S., Russian Administrations Should Make Bilateral Relations Positive - Medvedev's Congratulation to Obama.
33. Interfax: Newly-confirmed U.S. Ambassador to Russia McFaul to Take Office in Late January.
34. Financial Times: Charles Clover, End is nigh for Russia's 'reset' with US.
35. Voice of America Russian Service: Donald Jensen, The Year in Review: Reset Sunset.
36. Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozreniye: Vladimir Mukhin and Sergey Aksenov, America's Great Strategic Game. Missile Defense Problem Is Merely Cover for a Nuclear and Precision-Guided Arms Race.
37. Interfax: U.S., NATO Fail Have Failed to Form Efficient Coalition in Afghanistan in 10 Years - Russian Analyst. (Vyacheslav Nekrasov)
38. AP: Russia's Putin dreams of sweeping Eurasian Union for trade, not ideology.
39. Civil Georgia: Saakashvili's New Year Address.
40. Civil Georgia:Obama May Treat Georgia Section of U.S. Defense Act as 'Non-Binding'
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Keywords:
Russia - Russia News - Russian Issues - Johnson's Russia List
