Presumably the measure of an effective government in domestic policy or international relations is whether it has by dint of effort and inspiration expanded the potential for growth not only economically but also in overall political influence across the globe. By that measure many states in the West have failed in the past. France under … Continue reading Russia Has Diminishing Options

At first it seemed that the Kremlin could get away with finishing off Skripal', who would pay the price for treachery with his life and that of his daughter. The Russian press and officials, such as its inept ambassador to London, sneered and mocked British indignation at not only the blatant infringement of sovereignty but … Continue reading Putin Pays the Price for Vengeance

Novaya gazeta has today published an interview with one of the team from the State Scientific Research Institute for Organic Chemistry and Technology. The man who invented the nerve agent Novichok was Petr' Kirpichev, who died of natural causes two years ago. Vil Sultanovich Mirzayanov saw one of his friends in the team collapse and … Continue reading Who Created Nerve Agent Novichok?

         The Russian press opened today with comments in the aftermath of the Skripal' assault and Britain's reaction. Theresa May, the Prime Minister, has announced the expulsion of a mere 23 Russian diplomats from London on the grounds that they are secret intelligence officers. This is as nothing compared with the expulsion of … Continue reading Russia and the House of Borgia

Today Vzglyad' ru, the most hawkish periodical in Russia, has appeared with a piece on the Skripal' affair written in an informed and cynical manner by someone who appears to know a thing or two about Russia's secret intelligence agencies; from the inside, perhaps? Welcome to the 1990s, it suggests, when Russian intelligence officers could … Continue reading Why Kill Skripal’?

Many have doubted whether US sanctions against Russia would ever have much impact. But it seems they do. A very interesting piece has appeared on 7 March in Vzglyad' ru, a publication that, to say the least, does not favour the West (or Ukraine). Written by Ol'ga Samofalova and entitled "The USA is Blocking the … Continue reading The Russians Admit that US Sanctions Against Russian Energy Are Working

It is extremely worrying. A few days ago Novaya gazeta, relying on the Guardian and the Daily Telegraph, reported the attempted assassination of the former Russian GRU (military intelligence) officer Sergei Skripal' through the administration of some kind of nerve agent. It appears that Skripal' moved under diplomatic cover to the Foreign Ministry in the late … Continue reading The Importance of Trust Even Between Adversaries