Much has changed in Iraq since the Americans invaded in 2003. Saddam Hussein is gone, replaced by Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki who appears to want to replace Saddam’s one-party Sunni-dominated state with a one-party Shia-dominated state. And Russia has been replaced by the United States as the chief arms
Continue readingTag: Russia
Accidental Deliberations: On telling signs
Time reports on how voter turnout was affected by news that Russian elections are purely stage-managed affairs in which the governing party chooses which opponents it sees fit to allow to run: There was, however, a downside to choosing the uncompetitive scenario. The voter turnout was low in Novgorod —
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Remember When It Was America and Pakistan Versus the Soviets?
Now America’s plans for a long-term presence in Afghanistan may be driving Pakistan into Moscow’s arms. Pakistan army chief, Ashfaq Parvez Kiani, is headed to Moscow for talks. The Pakistani military spokesman has confirmed the “historic” visit will take place on Wednesday. The spokesman said Kiani is expected to meet
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Romney’s Russia Blunder Backfires Again
Another Russian leader has responded to Mitt Romney’s labeling of Moscow as America’s “Number One geopolitical foe.” Earlier in the week it was Vlad Putin using Romney’s slur to justify Russian hard-line opposition to US missile defence plans for Europe. Now it’s Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich warning that
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Russia’s Arctic "Nuclear Time Bomb"
K-27 She’s rusting away on the seabed barely 75 feet below the surface. The experimental Soviet nuclear submarine K-27 is a disaster waiting to happen in Russia’s Kara Sea that adjoins the Arctic Ocean. On just her third cruise, 7-crewmen died when the ship’s reactor malfunctioned. Soviet authorities eventually chose
Continue readingCanadian Progressive: Pussy Riot solidarity protest: Topless Kiev activist cuts down massive crucifix
A Kiev protester joined the global Pussy Riot protest in a unique way. She went topless, grabbed a chainsaw and felled a mammoth crucifix with Jesus on it. The woman joined thousands around the world who protested the 2-year prison sentence the three members of feminist punk band, Pussy Riot,
Continue readingCanadian Progressive: Pussy Riot found guilty, sentenced to two years in prison
In Vladmir Putin’s Russia, a peaceful and legitimate act of civil disobedience earns you two years in prison. That’s the sentence a Russian court just imposed on three members of the Russian feminist punk band Pussy Riot. Judge Marina Sirovaya found Maria Alyokhina, 24, Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova,
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Russia Reacts to Perceived Chinese Threat
Russia is growing concerned about Chinese designs on Russian territory and resources. Russian president Dimitry Medvedev said it was essential to defend it’s eastern territories against “excessive expansion by bordering states”. Speaking days after Russia’s first deputy defence minister said two new nuclear submarines would be sent to the Pacific
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Drought – America Isn’t Alone
Russian wheatfield ravaged by locusts and drought Another giant grain exporter, Russia, is also being hammered by drought leaving Brits fearful of major food price increases. Farmers in Russia are being crippled by severe drought, which has caused a potentially devastating drop in the country’s grain production.Fears are mounting that
Continue readingArt Threat: Rock stars demand Pussy Riot release – Feminist punk rockers jailed in Russia for performing "punk prayer" against Vladimir Putin
As Russian president Vladimir Putin visits London to engage in both Olympic and diplomatic shenanigans, several major British musicians, including Pete Townshend, Jarvis Cocker and Corinne Bailey Rae are calling for the release of members of the feminist punk band Pussy Riot, who have been locked away in a Moscow
Continue readingCanadian Progressive World: URGENT PETITION: Free Members of Feminist Punk Group Pussy Riot Now!
Recently, the Putin regime in Russia extended the pre-trial detention of 3 members of the feminist punk group “Pussy Riot” until January 2013. Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina and Ekaterina Samutsevich had been in detention since March after they were arrested for committing the ultimate crime in Vladmir Putin’s Russia: singing
Continue readingMolly'sBlog: Molly’sBlog 2012-07-23 00:45:00
INTERNATIONAL ANARCHIST MOVEMENT:NOTES FROM THE BALTIC ANARCHIST GATHERING: Impressions from the Baltic Anarchist Meeting 2012 Impressions from the Baltic Anarchist Meeting 2012 Almost two months have passed since the Baltic Anarchist Meeting (http://www.bam2012.org/) was organised in Tallinn of Estonia 25th-27th of May, but only now I had time to write
Continue readingArt Threat: Russian LGBT Film Fest pushes ahead despite attacks – A conversation with the founder of the Side By Side Festival
It is an extreme act of bravery and commitment to put on a queer film festival in many parts of the world, where the cultural politics of film festivals play out in ugly and often violent manifestations of hatred and ignorance. Homophobia is rampant the world over, but in countries
Continue readingThe Scott Ross: Russia & Quebec, Don’t Protest The Similarities
Vladimir Putin recently issued new fines for unsanctioned protests, $9,000 for protesters and $30,000 for protest organizers. Meanwhile a few months ago in Canada, Quebec Premier Jean Charest issued new fines for unsanctioned student protests, $5,000 for student protesters and $35,000 for student protest organizers. For anyone who thinks these
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: The Jewel in the Crown – India
India has nothing but friends these days, that is if you leave out Pakistan. Russia’s her friend, has been for generations. China wants to be India’s BFF. And America is also courting India’s affections. US Def-SEc Panetta was in New Delhi, laden with roses and chocolates, to proclaim India the
Continue readingPutin’s popularity prevails
It may be beyond rational explanation, but almost three-quarters of the Russian people approve of Vladimir Putin. The man is a corrupt thug with KGB written all over him, but he remains a popular figure. A recent survey showed that 72 per cent of Russians have a favourable view of
Continue readingLeDaro: Vladimir Putin sworn in for the third term as president
The awesome swearing in ceremony: Is he the new Stalin of Russia? Read the CBC story.
Continue readingFrom Orangutan: Dear Vladimir Putin,
The independent elections watchdog agency, Golos, found that “carousel voting” occurred during the Russian presidential election that you think you won. If you believe in democracy, maybe you should address these election fraud concerns before declaring victory. Wouldn’t that be the honorable thing to do, Mr. Putin?
Continue readingHey Rob Anders, it’s your party which is the party of Putin
Peas in a pod Like the Conservatives’ voter suppression tactics during the last federal election in Canada, it looks like Russia’s governing party also rigged the vote. No surprise there, seeing the inherent similarities in the two parties and its two leaders.
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