September 22, 2005 Fradkov Looking for One Good Man Oh, the perils of leadership. As reported in the recent issue of Argumenti i Fakty, Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov recently took a trip to the little town of Sharya, in Kostroma oblast. There, he visited a forestry enterprise set up and run by Swiss masters. Looking over the uncommonly clean and efficient operation, Fradkov exclaimed, “And why can’t we do this? After all, our specialists are the best in the world.” The quest Russia File
September 21, 2005 Taste of Summer Ok, it has been a long summer, and time we got back to ramping up this blogject. Taste of Russia is just over and we are coming down from a high because we didn't get walloped by a hurricane, the way we did last year. Ophelia gave us a pass and we had sun, fun and kvas.Meanwhile, we are entering the home stretch on our November/December 05 issue. Some great stories in this issue, including a fascinating look back at what really happened Russia File
June 07, 2005 Book Picks - Health Editor's choice of books concerning Russia's health. Health Literature Russia File
May 24, 2005 Russian Email Habits Why is it that Russians don't answer email? We explore this conundrum, and whether it has some roots in Russian business or personal culture. Business Culture Russia File
March 01, 2005 Where the Russians Are A color-coded map of the US, showing which states have the highest percentage of Russian immigrants. Culture Int'l Relations Reference Russia File
February 02, 2005 Book Picks - Literature The quantity of great Russian literature titles and translations is virtually endless. Here are a few favorites from the editor. Literature Russia File
February 24, 2004 Putin Boots Kasyanov The probable has become inexorable. March 14, the date of Russia's Presidential Reelection, will now assuredly cement in place the most significant depluralization of Russian politics since 1989. Putin is expected to get between 70 and 80% of the vote that day -- a number reminiscent of when Brezhnev teetered to the polls.Meanwhile, there are no checks on executive power. Russia no longer enjoys a Free Press. There is no independent judiciary. The recently elected Duma is a Rubber St Russia File
January 27, 2004 Putinlovefest Russia's March presidential election was exciting for about 5 minutes, when there was talk amongst "opposition" candidates of boycotting elections, to deny Putin an electoral minimum, bringing a constitutionally mandated end to his presidency. But, by minute 6, a prominent democrat had defected and enough wacko candidates were popping up in the wings to guarantee the required 50% voter turnout. Now we are ensured a Putinlovefest of unprecedented proportions. Stay tuned... Russia File
November 05, 2003 Who Are the Russians? A look at the notion of "ethnic" Russians. Culture History Russia File
November 01, 2003 Does Russia Matter? Just how important is Russia in the world? Culture Environment History Int'l Relations Russia File
June 14, 2003 Winner Take All From rather inauspicious origins in the Ural mountains, Konstantin Tszyu has gone on to become the world's greatest boxer in his weight class. But he has never lost his perspective. Sports Russia File
May 01, 2002 Russian Serfs and Nikolai Gogol The serf system in early 19th century Russia and writer, Nikolai Gogol. History Literature Russia File
