Posts in "Russia"

By Mike Alksnis at 11:29AM

Jan 26, 2011

Liberty, Security, and Terrorism

The recent terrorist attack in Moscow, which resulted in the death of over 30 people and the injury of about 100 others, ought to compel Americans to revisit some important questions concerning the true value of airport security procedures in the US, which require travelers to put their individual rights aside in the name of safety. Namely, is the cost worth the alleged benefit?

As most of us are aware, the TSA has been audacious enough to offer us a choice between two different styles of 4^th Amendment violations when traveling on commercial airlines. Our first option is the body scanners, which supposedly do not emit harmful levels of radiation (although this claim has been a subject of significant controversy) and which supposedly cannot store or transmit images of our naked bodies (although this has been found to be false).

Our second option is the “enhanced pat down procedure,” with its chilling rhetorical similarity to the term “enhanced interrogation technique,” which altogether may lead us to the conclusion that the word “enhanced” has become a public relations code word for “excessive.” Last, but certainly not least, following suit to the modern trend of the inversion of the most basic tenant of our nation’s justice system, “innocent until proven guilty,” we are subject to the punishment of an $11,000 fine in the event of noncompliance with these procedures upon being “randomly selected” to undergo them.

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By Brian Beyer at 3:58PM

Mar 8, 2010

"Commerce and Honest Friendship"

Thomas Jefferson famously said, "I deem [one of] the essential principles of our government [to be] peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none." If only the foreign policy wonks in Washington had heeded to Mr. Jefferson's advice, the United States would not be trying to starve Iran into submission. Or fight a "War on Terror." Or maintain an empire. Unfortunately, Washington has turned a deaf ear to Jefferson's wisdom. Those listening to Jefferson are not in the marble palaces of DC, but in the Kremlin and Beijing.

Sanctions do not work. This coming October marks the 50th anniversary of sanctions against Cuba. The Castro family is still having their annual birthday bashes, throwing dissidents in prison, and trampling on the rights of Cubans. Regime change was and still is the goal of the embargo ("The United States cooperated with its European and other allies to assist the difficult transitions from Communist regimes in Eastern Europe. Therefore, it is appropriate for those allies to cooperate with United States policy to promote a peaceful transition in Cuba.") However, the "peaceful transition" never came -- nor will it unless a new course is taken.

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By Jihan Huq at 7:15AM

Feb 24, 2010

Dick Cheney Desired Military Conflict With Russia

dickc According to the newly released book, A Little War That Shook The World, Vice President Cheney wanted to take great advantage of the Russian-Georgian conflict back in 2008. The White House's primary objective for potential military intervention was to prevent the Georgiran troops from being defeated by Russian troops.

The book claims that President Bush was also told of the suggestion for military intervention, however, he declined.

You would think two major wars and an escalating international situation with Iran would be enough for good ol' Dick. Yet given that his daughter is involved in the orwellian Keeping America Safe and embraces her father's enhanced interrogation technique, it is after all no suprise at all.

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By Roy Antoun at 12:16PM

Feb 16, 2010

Map of the Problematic

There is something extremely problematic with the way the State Department handles its foreign policy, especially after the election of an administration that has promised us something along the lines of a "change" from the last administration. The New York Times reported today:

At a news conference in Tehran on Tuesday, reports said, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reiterated that Iran was ready to suspend enrichment if it could exchange its low-enriched uranium stockpile for processed fuel rods from abroad. But he said the swap should be “simultaneous” — a demand already dismissed by the United States and its allies.
“We are still ready for an exchange, even with America,” Mr. Ahmadinejad said, according to Reuters.

With the State Department immediately announcing a dismissal in even acknowledging Mr. Ahmadinejad's proposal, it is no wonder why Iran's government is distasteful towards America and her allies.

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By Alex Kharam at 8:53PM

Jan 1, 2010

82-Year Old Dissident Detained in Moscow

dissident Since I'm originally from Russia, this story hits me close to home:

"I don't know why I was detained... How could I possibly offer any resistance to anyone?" she said, quoted by Echo Moskvy radio, which reported that between 30 and 50 people had been detained.
A coalition of opposition groups organised the December 31 rally to defend their right to protest, as enshrined under Article 31 of the Russian constitution. Unsanctioned rallies are one of the few outlets for Russia's weak and fragmented opposition.
"Down with Putinism, Freedom to Russia," one protester shouted from the window of a bus being driven to a local police station, a reference to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The opposition say Putin was the architect of a major clampdown on civilliberties in Russia during his presidency from 2000-2008.

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By Brian Beyer at 6:15AM

Oct 15, 2009

Damn Them Evil Soviets!

As the media tries to portray Russia and Iran as an Axis of Evil part deux, prime minister of Russia, Vladimir Putin, continues to debunk this image. Putin said talks of sanctions before talks of diplomacy are "premature" -- and rightfully so.

With Iran being constantly deemed a ticking time bomb, I think that noble title needs to be placed on another country: Israel.It has been said that Israel will attack Iran if sanctions are not in place by December. Looks like they're already preparing. Start the countdown. It's a mere 2 months away.

Iran and Russia, which after all have been pressing for diplomatic and civil talks more than the other states involved, are not the Axis of Evil. It just may happen that such a title belongs to Israel and us.

Biden "Helps" US-Russian Relations

According to the Washington Post, Vice President Joe Biden said the following about Russia"

They have a shrinking population base, they have a withering economy, they have a banking sector and structure that is not likely to be able to withstand the next 15 years, they're in a situation where the world is changing before them and they're clinging to something in the past that is not sustainable.

This certainly is a dramatic change in rhetoric from three weeks ago when Obama talked of "resetting" our relationship with Russia. (It also sounds not so very far off from our own situtation, ironically -- even our population base is shrinking if you discount immigration)

Once again Bumbling Biden provides insight into what's really going on inside the Obama Administration, and reveals rather succinctly how little has really changed from the previous administration.

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By Bonnie Kristian at 7:53PM

Jun 15, 2009

International Demand for U.S. Assets Slows

From Bloomberg:

International purchases of American financial assets grew more slowly in April as China, Japan and Russia pared demand for Treasuries, underscoring the danger of U.S.

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