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May 08, 2024
 

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THE VIEW FROM MOSCOW

COMMENTARY / World / THE VIEW FROM MOSCOW
Jun 4, 2000
U.S.' unfathomable gun laws
Russians and Americans like to emphasize similarities between their two nations: size, patriotism, the sense of a mission, a passion for casual dress and so forth. But in some ways, Russians and Americans live on two different planets. In spite of increased interaction, extensive travel and shared cultural space, quite often the two peoples gasp at each other's behavior, failing to understand its causes and rationale. Muscovites and New Yorkers may share a fascination with Princess Diana, Madonna, Viagra and Walt Disney, but they'll never see eye to eye on the most simple matters -- like how much ice to put in a drink (a typical Russian response would be: "No ice at all").
COMMENTARY / THE VIEW FROM MOSCOW
Nov 13, 1999
A cynic's guide to survival
For a writer, Russia is a treasure trove. It generates the most improbable story lines, the characters it harbors make Hollywood action heroes seem anemic, and its history is a thrilling mixture of triumph and tragedy. The country has seen the apostle Andrew and Adolf Hitler, Emperor Napoleon and Mongol riders, Peter the Great and the Vikings. It has been part of the Great Game and the space race. It has experienced all possible kinds of regimes: absolutism, early republicanism, theocracy, communism, Nazism, democracy, you name it. No matter what you are writing about -- porcelain, engineering, the navy or ballet -- Russia will yield research riches. Provided you survive the process.
COMMENTARY / World / THE VIEW FROM MOSCOW
Oct 24, 1999
Farewell to Russia's final Romanov
Few years in recent Russian history have been as turbulent as 1999. In five months, from May till October, the country has seen three different prime ministers, an Islamic fundamentalist invasion in Dagestan and five terrorist assaults against Russian cities that cost the lives of 300 civilians. In the shadow of these developments, few noticed an event that in a calmer year would have made big news: the death of the last remaining Romanov in Russia.
COMMENTARY / THE VIEW FROM MOSCOW
Sep 5, 1999
Yeltsin's would-be successors
In December, Russia's Parliament will hold elections. Deprived by the constitution of any true political authority, the Duma is still important as a collective opinion-maker. In 1993-1999, it became an ongoing anti-Yeltsin show, the most prominent podium for any sharp criticism of the president. As a legislature, the Duma may be not too prominent because Russia is now being governed by presidential decrees rather than laws passed by the Parliament. But the Duma plays a key role in molding the preferences of Russia's voters.
COMMENTARY / THE VIEW FROM MOSCOW
Aug 1, 1999
Russia's Navy lists in port
There is only one place where modern submarines dock in Venetian canals, the replica of Aya Sofya is home to a naval theater company, and young people date in the ruins of old Scandinavian forts. Few small towns have such a special destiny, but Kronshtadt, situated on barren Kotlin Island, a mere 29 km from St. Petersburg, is one of them.
COMMENTARY / THE VIEW FROM MOSCOW
Jul 14, 1999
The Russian capital's bazaar economy
Every nation has a dream. For Iraq, it is a world oil crisis. For Croatia, it is NATO membership. For Serbia, it is a tornado hitting Washington, D.C. As for Russia, its dream is to be recognized as a part of Europe.
COMMENTARY / THE VIEW FROM MOSCOW
Apr 15, 1999
Everyone loses but Milosevic
Recently, the Croatian government issued an angry statement saying that the continuation of NATO's air raids in Yugoslavia jeopardizes the Croatian economy: Thousands of Western tourists will cancel their bookings at the beach hotels on the spectacular Adriatic coast of Croatia and go to Spain or Morocco instead.
COMMENTARY / THE VIEW FROM MOSCOW
Apr 1, 1999
Russia's new paranoia
If one nation is totally infuriated by the current bombing of Serbia, it's Russia. After numerous assaults by angry crowds, the imposing building of the U.S. Embassy in downtown Moscow now looks like an expensive piece of furniture despoiled by a wild party, its walls covered with ketchup and ink. It is unclear whether the assailants paid for the ketchup and ink bottles out of their own thin wallets, or whether these weapons were distributed by some generous political mogul. Both may be true: Rank-and-file Muscovites are very angry indeed at the U.S. government, and practically every politician in Russia is happy to capitalize on the crisis in the Balkans.
COMMENTARY / THE VIEW FROM MOSCOW
Mar 20, 1999
The squirrel or the eagle?
Thirty-five years ago, during the "Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution," China's Chairman Mao Zedong announced the coming of an uncompromising global struggle between the City and the Village. China, in Mao's eyes the best country in the world, symbolized the sturdy and righteous Village. Haughty and corrupted America stood for the cruel and ugly City.
COMMENTARY / THE VIEW FROM MOSCOW
Mar 7, 1999
Is patience a Russian virtue?
Amid the apocalyptic news about Russian pensioners being unable to afford any medicines beyond traditional folk remedies, Russian workers not paid salaries for months and Russian children in the on the verge of starvation, one piece of news is conspicuously missing: reports of mass protests. It is true that nowadays Russian voters support only those political candidates who proclaim themselves fierce opponents of the federal government and its disastrous economic policies. An occasional Communist rally may assemble up to 10,000 volatile sympathizers. In a local grocery store, one is very likely to come across an old lady liberally sharing her views on "these scum in the government" and her nostalgia about the Soviet past when she used to be able to pay her bills. However, this is a far cry from the antireform mass movement that was predicted by many experts after the financial collapse of Russia last August.
Tokuryū, a new crime menace in Japan, emerges from the shadows
The National Police Agency coined the term "tokuryū" to classify individuals involved in dark part time jobs and quasi-gangsters, using the words "tokumei" (anonymous) and "ryūdo" (fluid) to reflect their characteristics.
Is Modi’s party heading for a stunning election loss?
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign tactics have escalated, including anti-Muslim rhetoric and fearmongering, reflecting his ruling party's desperation.
Japan's labor crunch persists despite slight improvement
Over 300 companies went out of business in fiscal 2023 due to labor shortages, according to Teikoku Databank.
Excitement returns to tourist spots in Japan one year on
On May 2, the streets of Arashiyama, a well-known tourist destination in Kyoto, were filled with tourists, including many from abroad, ahead of the four-day weekend.
After blockbuster boxing victory, what next for ‘Monster’ Inoue?
Naoya Inoue celebrates his victory over Luis Nery in their IBF-WBA-WBC-WBO super bantamweight title boxing match at Tokyo Dome on Monday.
How a Japanese scientist is turning the climate crisis into music
A screencap of a performance of Hiroto Nagai's “String Quartet No. 1 ‘Polar Energy Budget’” by the PRT Quartet
Japan’s tween skateboarders get head start on preparations for 2028 Olympics
Ibuki Matsumoto competes at an event in Osaka on April 21.
Pentagon reveals drone types for Replicator program to counter China
A U.S. Naval Special Warfare Operator fires a Switchblade 300 loitering munition during training exercises in Fallon, Nevada, last July. The U.S. Defense Department plans to use small drones — known in the Pentagon as “all-domain attritable autonomous systems” — to help counter Chinese military systems and tactics.
As visitors surge, Japan seeks ways to make tourism eco-friendly
Much like other hot spots across Okinawa, Onna has diligently strived to captivate both domestic and international tourists, while at the same time grappling with the environmental strain induced by the influx of visitors.
Kishida talks up bolstered Latin American ties as China cements position
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida holds a news conference in Sao Paulo on Saturday.

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