Left: Vladimir Putin with Oligarch Oleg Deripaska - The landslide victory of President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party in December’s parliamentary election and Putin's nomination of Dmitry Medvedev to succeed him cements Putin's position as Russ … [Read more...] about Russia’s New ‘State Oligarchy’
Anti-Corruption
Russia’s Artful Dodger
Alcoa Inc.'s shares may have fallen 30% since their July 2007 peak, but that only makes the world's second largest aluminum producer a more tempting takeover target. A few foreign companies have expressed interest, including United Company Rusal … [Read more...] about Russia’s Artful Dodger
Business…Russian Style
The Transparency International 2007 global report released on May 24 documents widespread Russian corruption and lack of independence in Russia's legal system, and its courts in particular. This, according to the report, is due to the government’s g … [Read more...] about Business…Russian Style
Ukrainian Premier Outlines Plans For The Future
The April 2 decree of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko to dissolve the parliament and hold new legislative elections generated a political crisis that is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. Reminiscent of the social unrest during the 2004 … [Read more...] about Ukrainian Premier Outlines Plans For The Future
Carter's Arab Financiers
To understand what feeds former president Jimmy Carter's anti-Israeli frenzy, look at his early links to Arab business. Between 1976-1977, the Carter family peanut business received a bailout in the form of a $4.6 million, "poorly managed" and … [Read more...] about Carter's Arab Financiers
Saudi Accountability?
Responding to last week’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Saudi Arabia’s role in the war on terror, entitled “Saudi Arabia: Friend or Foe in the War on Terror?”, Riyadh’s ambassador to the U.S., Prince Turki al-Faisal,charged the committee membe … [Read more...] about Saudi Accountability?
Care International And Misinformation
One must read Susan Estrich and Harvey Silverglate's letter in response to our Monday Op-Ed as being a product of their duty as attorneys to zealously advocate for their client, Emadeddin Z. Muntasser ("Financing jihad: did he or didn't he?" … [Read more...] about Care International And Misinformation
Russia After Dark
Confronted with criticism over its increasingly restrictive policies, lack of economic freedom and growing corruption, Russian Economics Minister German Gref boasts that direct foreign investment in Russia grew 100 percent in the first quarter of … [Read more...] about Russia After Dark
Risky Russky Business
Russia is neither capitalist nor democratic. The West’s need for Russia’s energy and cooperation regarding Iran, Iraq, China, and the “War on Terrorism” will likely lower the standard demanded for a full membership in the G8 group, to allow Moscow’s … [Read more...] about Risky Russky Business
Putin’s Dubious ‘Democracy’
http://www.washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20060625-103510-1214r.htm Russia launched another strike against democracy on June 15, when 14 Duma members, representatives of Russia’s five Duma factions, submitted amendments to ban any public political c … [Read more...] about Putin’s Dubious ‘Democracy’