Russia demands 8-year sentence for Crimean Tatar leader Akhtem Chiygoz
The de facto prosecutor in Russian-occupied Crimea has demanded an 8-year sentence for Crimean Tatar leader Akhtem Chiygoz in a ‘trial’ that breaches even Russian law and which has openly targeted only Crimean Tatars. This has been recognized as a political trial from the outset, and Russia is clearly hoping to get Chiygoz convicted during...
Crimea Marathon of Solidarity as Response to Mounting Repression
Crimean Tatars and other Ukrainians have begun enthusiastically collecting ten rouble coins in the latest response to new methods of repression in Russian-occupied Crimea. The coins are a symbol of solidarity and a means of sharing the financial burden of the fines increasingly imposed for demonstrating support for political prisoners …read...
One Way Russia Can Retaliate Against US Sanctions
Originally produced on July 31, 2017 for Mauldin Economics, LLC By George Friedman, Xander Snyder and Ekaterina Zolotova The US Congress has passed new sanctions targeting Russia’s energy companies. Among the other notable aspects of the sanctions is that they take some authority away from the US president (who used to be able to implement...
Vice President Pence Would Fight Russia over Montenegro, Georgia, Kosovo: Where Is President Trump?
Doug Bandow President Donald Trump promised a different kind of administration. But many of those around him remain dedicated to the status quo. Even after President Trump spoke for the forgotten Americans who were tired of subsidizing European states which refused to spend more on defense, Vice President Mike Pence traveled to Eastern Europe...
Ukraine helps Russia imprison an opposition activist for criticizing Putin
There are very many unanswered questions as to how Russian opposition activist Vladimir Yegorov came to be taken by Ukrainian officials to the border and told he had been refused asylum in Ukraine. The questions need answers since Yegorov has now been remanded in custody back in Russia, almost certainly for his criticism of Russian President...
Kyiv Sweeps Out the Digital Cobwebs
Mismanagement and sloth help explain why government computers are so prone to malicious hacks. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
EU sanctions Russian deputy minister over Siemens turbines to Crimea
The European Union on Friday (4 August) imposed sanctions on three more Russians, including Deputy Energy Minister Andrei Cherezov, and three Russian companies over the delivery of Siemens’ turbines to Moscow-annexed Crimea. …read more Source:...
August 4th, 2017
CHINA Wolf Warrior 2: The Nationalist Action Film Storming ChinaBBC“Anyone who offends China will be killed no matter how far the target is.” That is the tagline for Wolf Warriors 2, the Chinese box office hit that is equal parts testosterone-fueled machismo—think blazing guns, explosions, and tanks—and chest-thumping Chinese patriotism. It sees...
August 3rd, 2017
CHINA China Chatbot Goes Rogue: “Do You Love The Communist Party?” “No”Louise Lucas, Nicolle Liu, & Yingzhi YanG, FINANCIAL TIMES Two chatbots with decidedly non-socialist characteristics were pulled from one of China’s most popular messaging apps after serving up unpatriotic answers about topics including the South China Sea and the...
Russia-Moldova Row Deepens
Chisinau’s treatment of Russian deputy PM ‘absolutely unacceptable,’ says Kremlin spokesman. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
