Well, here’s something I hadn’t heard. The Kremlin founded an organization for ethnic Russians abroad to destabilize their countries of residence in favor of Great Russian imperialism. And they literally called it the Rusintern. Боже мой. Andrew Stuttaford has the … Continue reading →
Felicitări! But, of course, were one an alarmist, one might think that, suitably twisted into an allegation of election fraud or the like, this otherwise happy result could serve as a pretext for a nasty, imperialist neighbor to come to … Continue reading →
From Anne Applebaum. Confucius, Œc. Vol.Don’t ask impertinent questions like that jackass Adept Lu. 3.14.242.153
Continue reading →Stephen Schwartz also sees it as a bellwether. Confucius, Œc. Vol.Don’t ask impertinent questions like that jackass Adept Lu. 3.14.242.153
Continue reading →Your Volgi knows what the Czar means. Your Volgi hopes he doesn’t have to say, “Confucius say: Told you so.” (For more, click the Moldova tag below.) Confucius, Œc. Vol.Don’t ask impertinent questions like that jackass Adept Lu. 3.14.242.153
Continue reading →…about this. We should keep our eye on this. The Czar of MuscovyБожію Поспѣшествующею Милостію Мы, Дима Грозный Императоръ и Самодержецъ Всероссiйскiй, цѣсарь Московскiй. The Czar was born in the steppes of Russia in 1267, and was cheated out of … Continue reading →
Great piece by Confucius’s former colleague, Reuben Johnson, on some crazy, crazy goings-on on Aeroflot. What makes it brilliant is Reuben’s tying Aeroflot’s cavalier disregard for international regulations with the Russian government’s general conduct. In a larger sense this episode … Continue reading →
But the military’s getting screwed. Thanks, Congress. Thanks, banks. Thanks, Fannie & Freddie. Thanks, real-estate speculators. You’ve made us all less safe. Thanks. Thanks so much. UPDATE: On the other hand, at least the same thing is happening in Russia. … Continue reading →
Strong statement by Condi contra Russian demands: “We will not permit Russia to veto the future of NATO, neither the countries offered membership nor their decision to accept it…We and our European allies will give our help to Georgia…. The … Continue reading →
Nice gesture by Medvedev; let’s hope he does more. Too bad Stalin’s the “strong Russia” model Putin is going for. The Russia Lobby continues to press Washington. Matlock’s arguments about the effects of admitting Georgia and Ukraine aren’t trivial, but … Continue reading →
Thus writes Ian Buruma (of Occidentalism fame) in the Los Angeles Times. His article is very much worth reading, but your Volgi would take exception to one assertion: The prospect of joining the European Union has strengthened the democracies of … Continue reading →
Here. As I think I’ve argued somewhere (oh yeah, here, though sketchily), the West has a fair number of cards to play against a revanchist, expansion-minded Russia. NATO membership is one. If it’s as transparently a bluff as Fukuyama says, … Continue reading →
Tick tick tick. Michael Radu (and apparently the Moldovans and Romanians) share the Volgi’s foreboding on Moldova as Russia’s next target. (Cf. here and here.) Confucius, Œc. Vol.Don’t ask impertinent questions like that jackass Adept Lu. 3.14.242.153
Continue reading →Once again, Russia is rattling sabers at Moldova. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Because I did. Transdnistria is the new South Ossetia. Confucius, Œc. Vol.Don’t ask impertinent questions like that jackass Adept Lu. 3.14.242.153
Continue reading →…says Dima Medvedev? I wouldn’t be surprised. But of course, you know that, as you read it here first. Confucius, Œc. Vol.Don’t ask impertinent questions like that jackass Adept Lu. 3.14.242.153
Continue reading →The Œcumenical Volgi has been on the road and, due to a dodgy wifi connection, unable to blog at any length. Ensconced in an airport with all the modern conveniences, he can finally address the horrific events in South Ossetia … Continue reading →
