December 18, 2006
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
The BBC has a handy press summary of Europe-wide reactions to the EU’s mind-numbingly tedious and unproductive summit last week (which, like DJ Nozem, I simply couldn’t bring myself to pay any attention to, I’m afraid). EU Observer has a … Continue reading
December 14, 2006
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments
La Russophobe has Time magazine’s lengthy and considered article on the implications of the Litvinenko murder. One of the best roundups of the complex backstory to this confusing little episode that I’ve seen so far. Quick excerpt: “Milton Bearden, a … Continue reading
December 12, 2006
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
You see, the reason I’m cutting back on UK politics is that it’s all just so damned depressingly predictable all the time. Although, it has to be said, even I was a tad surprised at the news that, first of … Continue reading
December 9, 2006
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Siberian Light’s back
After giving up on his old, insanely good Russia-focussed blog a year ago and launching Taking Aim, Andy Young’s decided to revive the old girl once again. Considering how much Slavonic shenanigans have been in the news of late with … Continue reading
December 1, 2006
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments
Two years and one week ago: confusion as the Orange revolution kicked off, as supporters of Viktor Yushchenko – now the president – took to the streets to protest apparent vote-rigging by the then prime minister Viktor Yanukovich (now prime … Continue reading
July 6, 2006
by Nosemonkey
5 Comments
Had I gone to some press junket as I was supposed to, rather than head home to watch the France/Portugal game (fairly tedious), I would have been within easy assassination distance of Margaret Thatcher last night. I have failed in … Continue reading
July 5, 2006
by Nosemonkey
3 Comments
As Russia’s lovely, cuddly Vladimir Putin throws his weight around on the international stage, the BBC has been offering the chance to pose questions for the corrupt, dictatorial ex-KGB nutter via its Have Your Say Forums.It must be said, judging … Continue reading
March 5, 2006
by Nosemonkey
8 Comments
It’s three years to the day since I started this place going, but I have precisely nothing profound or interesting to add to this post from August, celebrating a solid year of blogging. So have a random collection of vaguely … Continue reading
February 25, 2006
by Nosemonkey
2 Comments
Has Tony Blair been getting ideas from Russia? “The social custom keeping communities in Russia together � krugovaia poruka, or ‘joint responsibility’ � has been used by the authorities as a means of control since Tsarism. In the Soviet period, … Continue reading
January 2, 2006
by Nosemonkey
1 Comment
You can be fairly sure that Russian claims that Ukraine is “stealing Europe’s gas” are bollocks, and that this is indeed “the Putin regime’s answer to the Orange Revolution”. This little spat could, however, severely affect large chunks of Europe … Continue reading
March 31, 2005
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Russian revolts – March madness?
It’s all going a bit mental in the former Soviet Union, in case you hadn’t noticed. Siberian Light’s weekly news roundup has some concerning and potentially important stories which the western media certainly doesn’t seem to have picked up on … Continue reading
January 20, 2005
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Yuschenko inauguration confirmed for Sunday
Announced on the day Bush’s second term officially begins – how rare! Russia’s Vladimir Putin also seems to be trying to patch up relations, releasing a congratulatory message to the guy he was opposing to the extent of sending in … Continue reading
January 7, 2005
by Nosemonkey
Comments Off on Merry Sodding Orthodox Christmas
And to celebrate, why not check out a rather good round-up of how Vladimir Putin seems to be following in the fine tradition of psychotic Russian despots? Then why not follow up with a bit more on Andrei Illarionov, the … Continue reading
December 23, 2004
by Nosemonkey
4 Comments
Following the confirmation that Russia is not a free country after ongoing rumours of dodgy dealings in the run-up to the Russian presidential election, allegations of cover-ups to prevent knowledge of the true nature of the Beslan tragedy spreading, and … Continue reading