The Dutch referendum was surely the trigger for the removal of Arseny Yatsenyuk, to show a contemptuous Europe and the world that the Ukrainians are moving to consolidate power and to proceed with deep reforms. Unfortunately, the consolidation was not where the real power in the country lies.
Will common sense finally prevail over the illogic, hubris and plain pig-headedness of those who control the EU institutions in Brussels, and afar from Berlin and Washington?
Continue reading “Dutch Referendum: a crack in the dam of European Russophobia”
On day three following the terror attacks, the Belgian common front of lighting candles, delivering pious speeches and preaching national solidarity in the face of the terrorist threat finally cracked. The ugly truth of why these attacks took place here is now coming out in dribbles of information in the national media.
Continue reading “Belgian Political Culture and the Terror Attacks in Brussels, 22 March 2016”
Even in the current period of stagnant economy or mild recession, the Russian consumer is not being asked to make great sacrifices, and the commercial classes are not taking advantage of the crisis.
The incoming Trump administration in January 2017 should arrive in office with well-defined plans for resuming arms control talks and negotiating a new security architecture for Europe…
Beware the day before the Ides of March
Carry on, Harvard, in spreading shadows rather than light, in addressing phony issues instead of existential ones….
Continue reading “An Open Letter to Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust”
The problem with describing Russia to suit policy recommendations rather than actually studying Russia and then designing policy is that risks and threats which may actually exist in relations with the subject country are wholly overlooked.
In its article today’s Guardian describes the pending ceasefire in Syria as an “agreement brokered between the two superpowers….” In his many recent public appearances, Vladimir Putin has explicitly denied Russia’s aspirations to be reckoned as a superpower. However, the reality of the present situation in Syria speaks for itself to savvy observers.
Continue reading “The US-Russian Communique on Syria Ceasefire: All the News That’s Fit to Print?”
David Cameron explicitly, and Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite implicitly tell us that the deal struck yesterday on Britain’s relationship with the EU and the EU’s overall prospects for the future hang on one issue: the consensus view on Russia.
Continue reading “Whence the EU compromise with David Cameron on Britain’s “special status”?”
Gilbert Doctorow 