This summit is likely to be without precedent. Concessions, agreement, national expressions of  friendship, or personal bonding, are unlikely.  Neither personality lends to the media circus in the manner of the Trump-Kim summit.  We won’t be bored by the freebee hand-shake shots that dripped heedlessly from the Reuters front page. In anticipation, Getty has sourced … Continue reading Biden — Putin summit — Just a Note →

We begin with the reality of political murder in Russia; then to bilateral relations. With implied reference to the attempted Novichok poisoning of Alexei Navalny, Biden called Putin a killer. Putin responded with “It takes one to know one”, which shows that snappy retorts are multicultural. Putin may occasionally view this blog. I will not … Continue reading Biden versus Putin Part 1 →

(Reuters) Putin critic Navalny was poisoned with Novichok nerve agent, Merkel says. Quoting, She said Berlin now expected Moscow to explain itself and that Germany would consult its NATO allies about how to respond, raising the prospect of new Western sanctions on Russia, sending Russian asset prices tumbling. You read it here first:  Alexei Navalny, … Continue reading (Reuters) Putin critic Navalny was poisoned with Novichok nerve agent, Merkel says →

Dear Hillary, Something came out in CNN I think we should talk about. (CNN)Clinton says ‘nobody likes’ Sanders and won’t commit to backing him if he’s the Democratic nominee. Quoting you, “Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done.” This brings me to our fateless encounter on a New Jersey … Continue reading Dear Hillary, About Bernie →

(CNN) Russian government resigns as Putin proposes reforms that could extend his grip on power. Inspired by Russia’s adversarial attitude towards the West, media coverage is almost uniformly negative. What else could be expected towards a government that has been described as a kleptocracy, with such noteworthy achievements as lending a helping hand to Assad’s … Continue reading 20 Years of Vladimir Putin; Russian Gov. Resigns, Part 1 →

This is a reprint of an article series on Fiona Hill, written upon her appointment. If you’re in a hurry,  only the first article is specifically about Dr. Hill. The rest of the series is about our mutual interest: Fiona Hill, Trump’s Putin Advisor. Fiona Hill, Putin’s Apology; Analysis Part 2 Fiona Hill, Putin’s Apology; … Continue reading Fiona Hill (reprint) →

(Reuters) Two dead in Russian rocket engine explosion; radiation spikes, shipping shut. Quoting, The brief spike in radiation was reported by authorities in the nearby city of Severodvinsk, which has a population of 185,000. This apparently contradicted the defense ministry, which was quoted earlier by state media as saying radiation was normal. With one exception, … Continue reading Russian Rocket Engine Explosion; Radiation Spikes; Suggestion to Vladimir Putin →

(BBC)  Putin wants government to “take charge” of rap music. We cannot ring out the year without taking up the challenge rap  presents to Russian state power.  Yes, take charge of it.  Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll almost sunk the Brits, who survived only by heavy state repression. The pivotal role of MI-5 is yet to … Continue reading Putin and Rap in Russia →

The Daily Beast is most informative: Putin’s Navy Attacks Ukraine Gunboats and Hands Trump a New Crisis He’d Like to Ignore. The transit of the Kerch Strait was announced in advance. (Wikipedia, Sea of Azov), “In September 2018, Ukraine announced the intention to add navy ships and further ground forces along the coast of the … Continue reading Putin’s Navy Attacks Ukraine Gunboats →

(Independent) Pussy Riot activist seriously ill in Moscow hospital’s toxicology department after suspected poisoning. Quoting, Ms Nikulshina, said that Mr Verzilov woke up and realised that he was losing his sight. …“First it was his vision, then his ability to speak, and then his ability to walk,” she told Meduza. “Descending paralysis”, starting near the brain and descending … Continue reading Pussy Riot Member Verzilov, Poisoned? Botulin Toxin; A Gareth Williams Clue →