Energy Policy
Putin has said he thinks Russia, a major oil exporter should develop strategies to manage oil prices. This could include cooperation with other oil producing nations, though Russia has traditionally been cool toward OPEC and is likely to want retain control of its production levels. He has begun to meet with heads of Russian oil companies (Putin says Russia should act; Putin urges greater Russian role; Russia must develop).
Financial Crisis
Putin says Russia has the cash reserves to weather the global financial crisis and continue its development. He claims they were not caught unawares as other nations were. He apparently did not share this wisdom with Russia’s oligarchs, who have taken heavy losses, at least on paper (Halpin; Shchedrov; Weir).
The oligarchs are not faring to badly under the bailout plan. One has received financing for his companies above the level set by rules for the program, though the deal isn’t finalized. The aluminum company is owned by a one-time allie of Putin, Oleg Deripaska, but President Medvedev has questioned the deal. The bailout may lead to the nationalization of some companies presently in the hands of oligarchs (Wall).
Foreign Affairs: China, Cuba, India
Putin and other Russian officials met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao over the last few day of October (Chinese Premier).
Putin met with Indian Petroleum Minister Murli Deora to discuss energy cooperation in advance of a summit between Russia and India scheduled for next month (Deora to talk with Putin). Putin also recently met with Cuban Foreign Minister Filipe Perez Roque (Putin receives Cuban FM).
Unusual
Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov recently renamed the main street of the province’s capital, Grozny, Putin Avenue. Putin apparently does not encourage street names, statues and similar honors for himself (Bloomfield; No more streets in my name).
Putins beefcake photos have garnered him some possibly unwanted attention. Openly gay Italian TV host, Alfoso Signorini, has declared the Russian prime minister to be one of the sexiest men (Italian TV star).
Sources
Bloomfield, A. (2008 Oct. 6). Chechen capital's main street renamed Putin Avenue after man who bombarded the city. Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/3147078/Chechen-capitals-main-street-renamed-Putin-Avenue-after-man-who-bombarded-the-city.html, accessed 2008 Oct. 7.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrives in Moscow. (2008 Oct. 27). China View. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/27/content_10262686.htm, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Deora to talk with Putin. (2008 Nov. 3). Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Deora_to_talk_energy_with_Putin/articleshow/3669000.cms, accessed 2008 Nov. 12.
Halpin, T. (2008 Oct. 20). Russia is well prepared to survive financial crisis says Putin. Times. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/russia/article4981200.ece, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Italian TV star has gay crush on Vladimir Putin. (2008 Oct. 20). Gawker. http://gawker.com/5066016/italian-tv-star-has-gay-crush-on-vladimir-putin, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
No more street in my name, pleads Russia’s Putin. (2008 Oct. 6). Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE4955KV20081006, accessed 2008 Oct. 7.
Putin receives Cuban FM. (2008 Nov. 10). Prensa Latina. http://www.plenglish.com/Article.asp?ID=%7B6363AA3E-7E2E-42C8-A50A-6E99E6E59C45%7D&language=EN, accessed 2008 Nov. 12.
Putin says Russia should act to influence oil prices. (2008 Nov. 11). AFP. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hSQVeceh8JWPShe0-WZ6Oe1ZbamQ, accessed 2008 Nov. 12.
Putin urges greater Russian role in oil prices. (2008 Nov. 11). Associate Press. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hbwFTPWY5qEIHE37E65bYT576kzwD94C872O0, accessed 2008 Nov. 12.
Shchedrov, O. (2008 Oct. 20). Russia ready to withstand global crisis-Putin. Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/forexNews/idUSLK56756620081020, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Russian must develop ways to influence world oil prices—Putin. (2008 Nov. 11). RIA Novosti. http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081110/118230972.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 12.
Wall, T. (2008 Nov. 2). Oleg Deripaska receives state bailout almost twice the size allowed in Russia. Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/3368710/Oleg-Deripaska-receives-state-bailout-almost-twice-the-size-allowed-in-Russia.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 12.
Weir, F. (2008 Oct. 21). Crisis spares Russia’s “average Joe.” Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1021/p06s02-wogn.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
2008/11/12
2008/11/11
Russia Intelligencer 2008 November 11
Financial Crisis & Censorship
Russian shares were clobbered in the London and Russian stock markets, losing some 70 percent of their value, in spite of the government’s interventions (Halpin; Vorobieva & Zhdannikov; Weir “Crisis spares”).
Russian media is prohibited from using the words “crisis” and “collapse” in relation to the…events in economy (Bloomfield).
Foreign Affairs: Libya
Colonel Muammar Qaddafi visited with Dimitri Medvedev to discuss the possible placement of a Russian naval base Libya, ostensibly as a shield against attack from the U.S. Russia recently wrote off about $4.6 billion in Libyan debt in exchange for lucrative contracts, including a major rail project (Libya “ready to host Russian naval base”).
Nationalization, especially Energy
The Russian government has been expanding its takeover of major industries and squeezing out foreign companies. Gazprom, the energy conglomerate in which the Russian government holds a majority share, is the appears to be the center of the program and has been awarded exclusive rights to export oil (Weir “Gazprom”).
Opposition Parties
Several opposition parties and figures, including Garry Kasparov, are working to form a group that would seek to protect the Russian constitution (Russian opposition figures).
Russian Justice
A trial of suspects in the murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya was set to begin. The primary suspect, Chechen native Rustam Makhmudav, is on the lam in Western Europe. Those being tried a conspirators include Makhmudav’s brothers and FSB agent Pavel Ryaguzav. Because Ryaguzav is in the FSB, all the trials will be in secret military courts, though protestors have called for open trials. Politkovskaya was known for reporting on human rights violations in Chechnya (Murder of Russian journalist remembered).
On a related note, the lawyer who once represented Politkovskaya, Karina Moskalenko, found mercury in the car she and her family used after experiencing a sudden decline in health. She has represented several Russian opposition figures. It looks like political assassination is all to common in Russia (Schwirtz & Cowell; Stack; Zarakhovich).
Sources
Bloomfield, A. (2008 Oct. 27). Bans, tough talk can’t hide the trouble Russia is in. Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/bans-tough-talk-cant-hide-the-trouble-russia-is-in/2008/10/26/1224955853364.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Halpin, T. (2008 Oct. 20). Russia is well prepared to survive financial crisis says Putin. Times. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/russia/article4981200.ece, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Libya “ready to host Russian naval base.” (2008 Oct. 31). RIA Novosti. http://en.rian.ru/world/20081031/118052964.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Murder of Russian journalist remembered. (2008 Oct. 7). Agence France-Presse in Inquirer. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081007-165159/Murder-of-Russian-journalist-remembered, accessed 2008 Nov. 11.
Russian opposition figures for movement to support constituion. (2008 Nov. 6). RIA Novosti. http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081106/118162025.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 11.
Schwirtz, M., & Cowell, A. (2008 Oct. 15). Toxins found in Russian rights lawyer’s car. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/world/europe/16russia.html?_r=1&oref=slogin, accessed 2008 Nov. 11.
Stack, M. (2008 Oct. 16). Lawyer for Russian dissidents may have been poisened. Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-poison16-2008oct16,0,5763910.story, accessed 2008 Nov. 11.
Vorbieva, P., & Zhdannikov, D. (2008 Oct. 13). Russian shares loose gain, await state money. Reuters. http://www.forbes.com/reuters/feeds/reuters/2008/10/13/2008-10-13T165251Z_01_LD209760_RTRIDST_0_RUSSIA-MARKETS-UPDATE-3.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Weir, F. (2008 Oct. 21). Crisis spares Russia’s “average Joe.” Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1021/p06s02-wogn.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Weir, F. (2007 Jan. 23). Gazprom: Rising star in new Kremlin capitalism. Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0123/p01s03-woeu.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Zarakhovich, Y. (2008 Oct. 19). Murder, Russian style: Political assassination. Time. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1851854,00.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 11.
Russian shares were clobbered in the London and Russian stock markets, losing some 70 percent of their value, in spite of the government’s interventions (Halpin; Vorobieva & Zhdannikov; Weir “Crisis spares”).
Russian media is prohibited from using the words “crisis” and “collapse” in relation to the…events in economy (Bloomfield).
Foreign Affairs: Libya
Colonel Muammar Qaddafi visited with Dimitri Medvedev to discuss the possible placement of a Russian naval base Libya, ostensibly as a shield against attack from the U.S. Russia recently wrote off about $4.6 billion in Libyan debt in exchange for lucrative contracts, including a major rail project (Libya “ready to host Russian naval base”).
Nationalization, especially Energy
The Russian government has been expanding its takeover of major industries and squeezing out foreign companies. Gazprom, the energy conglomerate in which the Russian government holds a majority share, is the appears to be the center of the program and has been awarded exclusive rights to export oil (Weir “Gazprom”).
Opposition Parties
Several opposition parties and figures, including Garry Kasparov, are working to form a group that would seek to protect the Russian constitution (Russian opposition figures).
Russian Justice
A trial of suspects in the murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya was set to begin. The primary suspect, Chechen native Rustam Makhmudav, is on the lam in Western Europe. Those being tried a conspirators include Makhmudav’s brothers and FSB agent Pavel Ryaguzav. Because Ryaguzav is in the FSB, all the trials will be in secret military courts, though protestors have called for open trials. Politkovskaya was known for reporting on human rights violations in Chechnya (Murder of Russian journalist remembered).
On a related note, the lawyer who once represented Politkovskaya, Karina Moskalenko, found mercury in the car she and her family used after experiencing a sudden decline in health. She has represented several Russian opposition figures. It looks like political assassination is all to common in Russia (Schwirtz & Cowell; Stack; Zarakhovich).
Sources
Bloomfield, A. (2008 Oct. 27). Bans, tough talk can’t hide the trouble Russia is in. Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/bans-tough-talk-cant-hide-the-trouble-russia-is-in/2008/10/26/1224955853364.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Halpin, T. (2008 Oct. 20). Russia is well prepared to survive financial crisis says Putin. Times. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/russia/article4981200.ece, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Libya “ready to host Russian naval base.” (2008 Oct. 31). RIA Novosti. http://en.rian.ru/world/20081031/118052964.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Murder of Russian journalist remembered. (2008 Oct. 7). Agence France-Presse in Inquirer. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081007-165159/Murder-of-Russian-journalist-remembered, accessed 2008 Nov. 11.
Russian opposition figures for movement to support constituion. (2008 Nov. 6). RIA Novosti. http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081106/118162025.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 11.
Schwirtz, M., & Cowell, A. (2008 Oct. 15). Toxins found in Russian rights lawyer’s car. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/world/europe/16russia.html?_r=1&oref=slogin, accessed 2008 Nov. 11.
Stack, M. (2008 Oct. 16). Lawyer for Russian dissidents may have been poisened. Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-poison16-2008oct16,0,5763910.story, accessed 2008 Nov. 11.
Vorbieva, P., & Zhdannikov, D. (2008 Oct. 13). Russian shares loose gain, await state money. Reuters. http://www.forbes.com/reuters/feeds/reuters/2008/10/13/2008-10-13T165251Z_01_LD209760_RTRIDST_0_RUSSIA-MARKETS-UPDATE-3.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Weir, F. (2008 Oct. 21). Crisis spares Russia’s “average Joe.” Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1021/p06s02-wogn.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Weir, F. (2007 Jan. 23). Gazprom: Rising star in new Kremlin capitalism. Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0123/p01s03-woeu.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Zarakhovich, Y. (2008 Oct. 19). Murder, Russian style: Political assassination. Time. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1851854,00.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 11.
2008/11/03
Blogspeak 2008 Nov. 3 (Nov. 4 is Election Day)
Polls
Final Pew Poll: McCain Closes but Obama Still Leads (Davis, S., Washington Wire, Wall Street Journal, 2008 Nov. 2)
Landslide or close race? (2008 Presidential Election Blog, 2008 Nov.2)
Yes, I've Seen the SurveyUSA Minnesota Poll (Geraght, J., The Campaign Spot, National Review Online, 2008 Nov. 3)
Swing States
McCain plans swing state barnstorming for Monday (You Decide 2008, 2008 Nov. 3)
Final Pew Poll: McCain Closes but Obama Still Leads (Davis, S., Washington Wire, Wall Street Journal, 2008 Nov. 2)
Landslide or close race? (2008 Presidential Election Blog, 2008 Nov.2)
Yes, I've Seen the SurveyUSA Minnesota Poll (Geraght, J., The Campaign Spot, National Review Online, 2008 Nov. 3)
Swing States
McCain plans swing state barnstorming for Monday (You Decide 2008, 2008 Nov. 3)
McCain Intelligencer 2008 Nov. 3 (Nov. 4 is Election Day)
Polls
McCain has a slight lead in Ohio (Harnden & Spillius).
Swing States & Vice-Presidential Candidate: Sarah Palin
McCain is campaigning in swing states in the final days of the election including Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Mexico and Nevada. He’ll close his campaign in his home state of Arizona. Palin is campaigning in swing states in the final days of the election including Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Colorado and Nevada. She’ll close the campaign in her home state of Alaska (Fireman).
Sources
Fireman, K. (2008 Nov. 2). Obama and McCain campaign in swing states as race nears close. Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=as.wTY1nJKPI&refer=home, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Harnden, T., & Spillius, A. (2008 Nov. 3). Poll gives John McCain glimmer of hope. Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/johnmccain/3368308/Poll-gives-John-McCain-glimmer-of-hope.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
McCain has a slight lead in Ohio (Harnden & Spillius).
Swing States & Vice-Presidential Candidate: Sarah Palin
McCain is campaigning in swing states in the final days of the election including Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Mexico and Nevada. He’ll close his campaign in his home state of Arizona. Palin is campaigning in swing states in the final days of the election including Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Colorado and Nevada. She’ll close the campaign in her home state of Alaska (Fireman).
Sources
Fireman, K. (2008 Nov. 2). Obama and McCain campaign in swing states as race nears close. Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=as.wTY1nJKPI&refer=home, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Harnden, T., & Spillius, A. (2008 Nov. 3). Poll gives John McCain glimmer of hope. Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/johnmccain/3368308/Poll-gives-John-McCain-glimmer-of-hope.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Obama Intelligencer 2008 Nov. 3 (Nov. 4 is election day)
Polls
Obama leads a in a recent poll in New Hampshire (Poll: Obama with slight lead). Their even, as far as can be determined, in North Dakota, one of several western state with the minimum three electors (Obama, McCain in dead heat). Nationally, an average of recent polls shows Obama as about a 6 percentage point lead (Salant & Sobzcyk).
Swing States & Vice-Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden
Obama is campaigning in swing states in the final days of the election including Florida, North Carolina and Virginia. Biden is campaigning in swing states in the final days of the election including Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania (Fireman).
Sources
Fireman, K. (2008 Nov. 2). Obama and McCain campaign in swing states as race nears close. Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=as.wTY1nJKPI&refer=home, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Obama, McCain in dead heat in North Dakota, poll says. (2008 Oct. 13). Associate Press in Minneapolis Star Journal. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/30891024.html?elr=KArksc8P:Pc:U0ckkD:aEyKUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU, accessed 2008 Nov. 1.
Poll: Obama with slight lead over McCain in NH. (2008 Oct. 27). Associated Press in Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2008/10/27/poll_obama_with_slight_lead_over_mccain_in_nh/, accessed 2008 Oct. 30.
Salant, J., & Sobzcyk, J. (2008 Nov. 2). Obama holds 6-point average lead over McCain in polls. Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aUHtmMRfe.BU&refer=home, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Obama leads a in a recent poll in New Hampshire (Poll: Obama with slight lead). Their even, as far as can be determined, in North Dakota, one of several western state with the minimum three electors (Obama, McCain in dead heat). Nationally, an average of recent polls shows Obama as about a 6 percentage point lead (Salant & Sobzcyk).
Swing States & Vice-Presidential Candidate: Joe Biden
Obama is campaigning in swing states in the final days of the election including Florida, North Carolina and Virginia. Biden is campaigning in swing states in the final days of the election including Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania (Fireman).
Sources
Fireman, K. (2008 Nov. 2). Obama and McCain campaign in swing states as race nears close. Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=as.wTY1nJKPI&refer=home, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
Obama, McCain in dead heat in North Dakota, poll says. (2008 Oct. 13). Associate Press in Minneapolis Star Journal. http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/president/30891024.html?elr=KArksc8P:Pc:U0ckkD:aEyKUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU, accessed 2008 Nov. 1.
Poll: Obama with slight lead over McCain in NH. (2008 Oct. 27). Associated Press in Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2008/10/27/poll_obama_with_slight_lead_over_mccain_in_nh/, accessed 2008 Oct. 30.
Salant, J., & Sobzcyk, J. (2008 Nov. 2). Obama holds 6-point average lead over McCain in polls. Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aUHtmMRfe.BU&refer=home, accessed 2008 Nov. 3.
2008/11/01
Presidential Election Maps
For the visually oriented, here is a list of links to maps parsing the presidential election.
Associated Press (on Boston Globe site), http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/specials/2008_electoral_map/
Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-votemap,0,7581942.htmlstory
http://electoralmap.net/index.php
http://maps.google.com/maps/mpl?moduleurl=http:%2F%2Fmapmash.googlepages.com%2Felectionmap_mapplet.xml&ie=UTF8&ll=39,-96&spn=33.011854,78.75&z=4
Associated Press (on Boston Globe site), http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/specials/2008_electoral_map/
Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-votemap,0,7581942.htmlstory
http://electoralmap.net/index.php
http://maps.google.com/maps/mpl?moduleurl=http:%2F%2Fmapmash.googlepages.com%2Felectionmap_mapplet.xml&ie=UTF8&ll=39,-96&spn=33.011854,78.75&z=4
Biden Intelligencer 2008 November 1
Foreign Affairs
Biden met with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili in Milwaukee (Borowski).
Marriage
Biden reported said in an interview on the Ellen DeGeneres Show that he and Obama do not support California Proposition 8, which would define marriage as being between one man and one woman, even though they do not support what some have called “marriage equality” (Melloy).
Unusual
Biden is like Wikipedia, at least according to CNET readers (Fried).
War in Iraq
Biden’s son, Beau, is being deployed to Iraq with his Army National Guard unit. The younger Biden is Attorney General of Delaware (Finnegan).
Sources
Borowoski, G. (2008 Sept. 26). Joe Biden to meet Georgian President Saakashvili at Phister Hotel. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal. http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/32483519.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 1.
Finnegan, M. (2008 Oct. 4). Joe Biden bids farewell to son Beau Biden, headed to Iraq. Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/complete/la-na-trailbiden4-2008oct04,0,4715264.story, accessed 2008 Nov. 1.
Fried, A. (2008 Oct. 10). Friday poll: Which tech product is Joe Biden? CNET. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10063395-1.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 1.
Melloy, K. (2008 Oct. 20). Palin supports, Biden opposes marriage equality ban. EDGEBoston. http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=82166, accessed 2008 Oct. 29.
Biden met with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili in Milwaukee (Borowski).
Marriage
Biden reported said in an interview on the Ellen DeGeneres Show that he and Obama do not support California Proposition 8, which would define marriage as being between one man and one woman, even though they do not support what some have called “marriage equality” (Melloy).
Unusual
Biden is like Wikipedia, at least according to CNET readers (Fried).
War in Iraq
Biden’s son, Beau, is being deployed to Iraq with his Army National Guard unit. The younger Biden is Attorney General of Delaware (Finnegan).
Sources
Borowoski, G. (2008 Sept. 26). Joe Biden to meet Georgian President Saakashvili at Phister Hotel. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal. http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/32483519.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 1.
Finnegan, M. (2008 Oct. 4). Joe Biden bids farewell to son Beau Biden, headed to Iraq. Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/complete/la-na-trailbiden4-2008oct04,0,4715264.story, accessed 2008 Nov. 1.
Fried, A. (2008 Oct. 10). Friday poll: Which tech product is Joe Biden? CNET. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10063395-1.html, accessed 2008 Nov. 1.
Melloy, K. (2008 Oct. 20). Palin supports, Biden opposes marriage equality ban. EDGEBoston. http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=82166, accessed 2008 Oct. 29.
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