Sorry for the silence! Been away celebrating Russia's Independence Day…from itself.
(It is true: 12 June marked the secession of the Russian republic from the USSR. Not only is the occasion modishly Freudian, but it's also simply a matter of justice: the US has an independence day, and so is Russia to be left without one?)
I’ll be writing a few proper posts filled with reflection (surely ‘invective’?-ed.) over the weekend but here are some things to keep you busy till then!
INDIE DAY:
Not content to celebrate Russia Day by relaxing with a crate or two of Soviet Champagne and a Brat 2 DVD, a rather energetic lot of Left wing democracy activists attended street rallies condemning the government's treatment of dissidents.
EXILE AGONY:
The beleaguered organ is holding a paypal donations drive to replace its cowardly sponsors. The Moscow Times has the (hopefully exaggerated & premature) obituary!
The epic danse macabre, previously confined to this Blog and a select few other organs, is finally getting picked up in the mainstream English language press, with a vengeance.
Here is a rather good Radio Liberty piece that sums up and contextualises the event.
Mark Ames continues to chronicle the whole dismal affair on Radar Magazine. Read his latest “Russia Independence Day” post here, and weep sardonic tears.
TNK-BR VS RUSSIA BRAWL:
Follow the dirty energy confrontation over oil, foreign drilling and Russian sovereignty! Articles here and here.
