RFE/RL Russia Report
9/20/2011 6:45:32 PM
A review of RFE/RL reporting and analysis about domestic and foreign-policy developments in Russia.
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'Favoritism' In Russian Oscar Selection
A prominent Russian film director has called for changes in the composition of the country's "Oscar Committee" because its members "are dependent" on director Nikita Mikhalkov. More 
A Requiem For Managed Pluralism?
It is hard to look at Right Cause's public meltdown last week as anything other than an unmitigated disaster for the Kremlin's political managers. More 
Estonia Deports Uzbek Who Swam From Russia
Estonia has deported an Uzbek asylum seeker who swam across a river from Russia to reach the Baltic country. More 
Russia Guilty Of 'Violations' In Yukos Case
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Russia's government committed violations in its legal proceedings against the Yukos oil company. But the Strasbourg-based court said there was no evidence the tax-evasion charges against the former oil giant were politically motivated. More 
Lebedev Lands In Russian TV Tycoon Brawl
Russian media magnate Aleksander Lebedev ended a talk show on national television by punching a fellow guest and property tycoon in the face, knocking him off the stage. More 
Subtle Diplomacy Barely Conceals UN Divisions Over Kosovo
Diplomatic battles are often concealed in formal language, which rarely betrays the intense pressure and acrimony that exists between the disagreeing parties. More 
Tatar Activists' Premises Searched
Police have searched the apartments and office of leading Tatar activists in the city of Chally. More 
Georgia Makes Russian Maestro A Citizen
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has granted a request by Russian conductor Mikhail Arkadyev to receive Georgian citizenship. More 
Greenpeace Environmental Group Turns 40
When a small activist group gathered decades ago to stop the testing of a nuclear bomb, it built the foundations of what would become an international environmental organization which has contributed to change our behavior and vision of the world. More 
Dancing Dmitry Parody Pulled From Russian TV
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has not publicly cultivated the macho public image of his predecessor, Vladimir Putin, but when it comes to dance-floor grooving, the president has the public’s undivided attention. More 
Lebedev Tries To Pull Mask Off 'Department K,' No Stranger To Scandal
Russia’s monolithic secret services are back in the media spotlight. And once again, the reason has nothing to do with spying. More 
A Necktie A Day Keeps Autocracy Away
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has long since digested any fibers he may have consumed while nervously chewing on his necktie during the 2008 war with Russia. More than three years later, many Russians still associate Saakashvili with his famous chew -- and so it’s not too late, says Oleg Panfilov, to have a bit of fun. More 
Economist Says Russia Could Be Safe From Euro Debt Crisis
Although a growing debt crisis is rocking Europe and threatening the stability of the eurozone, economics analyst Sergei Seninsky says Russia might be better positioned to weather this storm than it was during the 2008 global financial meltdown. More 
Court: Khodorkovsky Detention Illegal
The Russian Supreme Court has ruled that the the law was violated when the preliminary detention of former Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky and his deputy was extended. More 
Religious-Freedom Report Singles Out Iran, Uzbekistan, China
The U.S. State Department's "Report on International Religious Freedom" identifies Iran, Uzbekistan, China, and Burma among "countries of particular concern" and says Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan also face significant challenges in securing religious freedom. More |
