Russian Olympians Know the Limit of What They Can Achieve, Financially

Amid the preparations for the Beijing Olympics, the only real prognosis is that Russian athletes will be showered with financial rewards and perks when they return home, provided they bring back the booty to show for it. It is a sign that sports in Russia, including the athletes themselves, are in good hands.
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The Kremlin Replaced an Inefficient Governor with an Equally Efficient One

The Novgorod region in the northwest of Russia has seen some changes since Mikhail Prusak, who had ran the place since 1991, was replaced in August last year by Sergey Mitin. But a closer examination reveals that despite having been somewhat masked, the region’s problems are still there.
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Experts Call Upon the Government to Play a Key Role in Promoting Ethnic Tolerance

The ongoing trial of a teenage skinhead gang accused of 20 brutal, racially motivated murders did the job of reminding Russia where it stands on the issue of interethnic tolerance. These crimes reflect a general mood in the country, where racially-friendly veneer conceals the true nature of a society that quietly approves of or refrains from condemning the ever-growing number of immigrant homicides
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The Spirit of Competition Must Be Resuscitated in Russian Public Life

The shortage of qualified personnel is becoming ever more poignant in Russian politics, as there are few other fields besides business where effective managers can be drawn from. These troubles are symbolic of the present epoch – as the country aims for new heights, there are few able to lead it toward a bright future
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Weekly Experts Panel: Medvedev Unveils His Foreign Policy Strategy

The new foreign policy strategy unveiled by President Dmitry Medvedev last week has been both lauded and criticized by experts. Some see it as stale and nationally self-serving, while others deem it bold and innovative. It is clear, however, that the document is primarily a response to today’s global realities and, in particular, to the U.S. style of global leadership
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The sky’s the limit for Moscow’s architectural innovation

In ten years time, Moscow will look much different than it does now. With the city becoming more developed, skyscrapers are no longer an exotic luxury, but a must
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Another Cuban Missile Crisis?

The U.S. says the missile defense shield in East-Central Europe will protect “allies and friends” from rogue states, while reassuring no repeat of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Russia, however, does not buy into what the U.S. is saying. According to experts and analysts, Russia can justly reciprocate U.S. actions by making some of its own decisions
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Moscow Stays Pragmatic with Chavez

Cooperation between Russia and Venezuela is seen as economic and not ideological, with Moscow not selling Caracas the most sophisticated weapons
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The world seems to have frozen in anticipation of New Big Ideas

President Dmitry Medvedev was not able to demonstrate world-class leadership with his new foreign policy strategy. All his efforts do not appear to be taken seriously. Perhaps this is not only due to his ineffective delivery of his ideas, but also because of the fact that none of his ideas are actually new
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Radical Islam is the universal challenge in Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan

The Northern Caucasus today has diverse problems that are impossible to solve “using the same measure.” However, as this region “awakens” and bears witness to an increase of protesting attitudes, the Caucasus, more than ever before, needs a comprehensive Russian strategy of development
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