May 01, 2021 Presidential Patty Cakes This spring, a ruckus roiling US-Russian relations was one for the history books: It was the first spat that involved a children’s playground taunt. Int'l Relations Language
April 21, 2021 Kosmonaughties “A**holes. Superpowers do not behave that way." – On April 13, Roscosmos head Dmitriy Rogozin criticized the U.S. Department of State in a Tweet for failing to mention Yuri Gagarin in a Facebook post that commemorates 60 years since the first man flew in space. Such a pity to forget who got there first. History Int'l Relations Space Quote
March 29, 2021 Who's Not Done With Quarantine? Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs was caught with his mask up while on a work trip to China. Government Int'l Relations Politics Russia File
March 24, 2021 Schoolboy Spat “During childhood, when we argued with each other in the yard, we’d say: It takes one to know one!” – Vladimir Putin comments on Joe Biden’s belief that the President of the Russian Federation is a “killer.” Int'l Relations Politics Quote
March 19, 2021 Coming Up Roses After one year of pandemic, Russia's economy is looking dandy while others are on the verge of collapse. Or so says new research. Economy Int'l Relations News Russia File
March 10, 2021 Sovereignty is a Luxury “Real development in a country can only come in a sovereign form. Sovereignty is very costly, and the overwhelming majority of countries in the world cannot afford such a luxury. We belong to this small circle of countries. We have already achieved this.” – Press Secretary of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov tells reporters on March 4 that President Vladimir Putin’s decisions in the international arena have been made in service to the Russian people. Government Int'l Relations Politics Quote
March 04, 2021 Poisonous Furniture, Rugs, and Rail Carts In this week's Odder News, report yourself to the police for easy snow removal, watch out for poison in your sofa, and don't forget to wipe your feet on the rug on the way in. Int'l Relations News Transportation Odder News
February 24, 2021 Skiing Buddies “I hope we will be able to spend a little time together, relax after today's working hours. I would like to invite you to go skiing.” – Another productive meeting this week with Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko on February 22nd. The pair discussed their work together on the energy sector of Belarus, Putin particularly noting Lukashenko’s support for the country’s nuclear power plant. He followed up with an invite to ski. Int'l Relations Politics Sports Quote
November 05, 2020 Maps, Mail Trucks, and Caviar This week, officials make outrageous demands, maps cost a man his job, and science meets geopolitics. Economy Food & Drink Geography Government Health Int'l Relations Science Odder News
November 01, 2020 War Communism Sputters War Communism was on the ropes in the fall of 1920. What's a dictator to do? History Int'l Relations War
October 08, 2020 Nuclear Power, Permafrost, and Olympiads This week, we've got math olympiads, economic data, and exploding permafrost. Economy Int'l Relations Law Science Odder News
August 27, 2020 Camouflage Candles, Cats in Quarantine, and Belarus This week Russians get diet advice, the president of Belarus gets kicked out of a neighboring country, and even cats aren't excused from social distancing. Animals Economy Food & Drink Health Int'l Relations Military Politics Religion Odder News