Politablog

After the latest conviction of oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Jeffrey Brown examines political dissent, the rule of law and the legal system in Russia with Anna Vassilieva of the Monterey Institute of International Studies and Dimitri Simes of the Nixon Center, both of whom are natives of Russia but now U.S. citizens.

It is amazing how quickly (or so it seems) that things can change. One decade we have growth, jobs, relative peace and people seemed to get along. One decade later we have economic collapse of numerous corporations and countries, possible war between the two Koreas, a debt crisis in Washington bogged down by partisanship and now Putin is threatening to build more nukes.

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In 2003, Goldman Sachs introduced what they perceive as the new wave of economic powerhouses.  Brazil, Russia, India and China are listed as the four countries that will become the economic juggernauts by the year 2050. Out of the four countries selected by Goldman Sachs, China is performing the best; they have the largest increase in growth and the highest GDP but the least amount of democracy.  Brazil, Russia and India pose the biggest questions and have the most work to do to prove Goldman Sachs correct.

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Many of you have heard of the horrible violence that has recently erupted all over Kyrgyzstan. Overall, hundreds of people have been murdered and many more are homeless and living in refugee camps in Uzbekistan.  Atrocities have been committed by both sides and an appeal to Russia for peace keeping forces was denied.

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Suicide blasts killed at least a dozen in southern Russia Wednesday, as a Chechen rebel leader claimed responsibility for the deadly subway blasts in Moscow. Russia’s president promised to continue to fight against terrorist activity. (March 31)

President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev finalized the first major nuclear arms control treaty in nearly two decades on Friday, agreeing to slash their warheads by 30 percent. (March 26)

In a few months Russia will enter a new decade of the twenty-first century. Of course, important junctures and significant dates are more symbolic than practical. But they give us a reason to reflect on the past, evaluate the present, and think about the future. Think about what awaits each of us, our children, our country.

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