A gallery of my favorite photographs from St. Petersburg Times photographers Alexander Belenky and Sergey Grachev.  These gentlemen have not published a picture I did not like.  My favorites are those that I feel best showcase their talents and portray Russian life and culture.

Historic border accords signed between Russia and China on December 9, 1999.  This one of the last major official acts of then President Boris Yeltsin prior to his surprise resignation on December 31.

Onset of the Cold War.

Russia and the politics of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. Also, list of Russian 2002 Olympic hopefuls by sport.

Russia deserves concessions from the US in return for its support regarding Afghanistan and other issues.  Should Putin have secured this political payments up front?  What, if anything, will he take home from the November summit?

The tormented and, often, tragic life of Russia's great 19th century author of masterpieces such as The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment.

In 1919, after two failed Socialist Internationals, Lenin decided that there was a need for a new organization to bring solidarity among the working class; the Communist International was born.

Skilled craftsman, Carl Fabergé, and his unsurpassed eggs which were presented to the Tsar's family each Easter.

Canonization, in the Orthodox Church, is different from sainthood in the Catholic Church. Learn how and why individuals are added to the canon and the role this plays in Orthodox spirituality.

Table of contents for complete text of Trotsky's "The Lessons of October."

Links to a collection of authoritative sites on peasants in Russia's history.