tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-310089552012-02-16T11:37:41.510+02:00Another attempt to make some kind of sense of what's going on east of the Dniester. Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan come in for special attention.Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.comBlogger631100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-3531165869659473842008-07-24T10:08:00.001+03:002008-07-24T10:08:18.993+03:00

Recently, my family joined the massive Ukrainian summer migration to Antalya, on Turkey's Mediterranean coast. Our holiday was of the advance-paid variety – a great way to travel, whereby one can essentially leave one's wallet at home, unless you plan separate day-trips. The weather was beautiful, the resort itself clean and well equipped, with pools everywhere and the sea scant yards away, the

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-54618244232958839322008-06-12T18:40:00.002+03:002008-06-12T18:45:41.534+03:00

Whether you agree with the sentiment or not, this sentence (from The Economist, but not it seems by Edward Lucas) surely has to be an award-winner for stupidity:http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11332356"Medved means bear in Russian—and the worst way to respond to a bear is to display overt weakness or to scarper in different directions."Brilliant! Does that hold true

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-84844098545151901132008-06-12T09:43:00.001+03:002008-06-12T09:46:21.756+03:00

A couple of weeks ago, The Economist featured, as part of its “Certain Ideas of Europe” blog and podcast, an interview by Edward Lucas (of New Cold War fame,) with Finnish Foreign Minister Alex Stubb. I urge you to listen to the podcast and tell me if it seems only to me that Lucas is doing his best to pull Mr. Stubb into his own, “Russia as inexorable menace” camp. I suspect that he was

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-27138427536547889462008-06-10T17:30:00.003+03:002008-06-10T18:38:05.413+03:00

Taras Stetskiv of NUNS says the recent troubles with 2 deputies (one from BYuT and one from NUNS) declaring their exit from the coalition are all down to the usual suspect: Russia.He claims that But "is Moscow's agent," adding that this is not an accusation, but "an obvious fact," but failing to offer the proof upon which "obvious facts" are normally based.He throws something of a stone into the

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-43852169069813293302008-06-09T12:19:00.003+03:002008-06-09T12:48:57.092+03:00

http://www.pravda.com.ua/ru/news/2008/6/6/77033.htmWhen reading this piece, you have to ask yourself, "Can Ukrainian politicians get any lower?" I have faith that the twit that is Zvarych can indeed!So, Mr. Zvarych (he of the invented MA from Columbia) now demands that the SBU not only look into whether But received Ukrainian citizenship legally, but whether he is actually employed by the FSB!The

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-31554925705547642008-06-02T15:49:00.002+03:002008-06-02T16:35:25.554+03:00

From an online chat on Tsenzor.net:http://www.tiahnybok.info/inshi_zmi/dokument004134.htmlАлекс: Наскільки вдалим виявився ваш слоган "Стольному граду - українську владу"? Може, є сенс змінити його на такий:"Краще кумедний Тягнибок, ніж остогидлий тягни-толкай!"Олег Тягнибок: Шановний Апекс! Коли ми прийдемо до влади, думаю, так жартувати ти не будеш. Чи може ти думаєш, що в нас нема твоєї

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-40191787947766623302008-05-23T16:19:00.003+03:002008-05-23T17:26:10.586+03:00

Some of you may be acquainted with Oleh Tiahnybok, leader of the "Svoboda" party of Ukrainian nationalists. Today, he's hosting a concert on the Maidan, in honour of the "Day of Heroes," a day that he seems to have thought up himself and would like to see become a public holiday in Ukraine.The man is out of his tree.Four years ago, he came steaming into public view for a anti-Semitic and

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-76695622940059773752008-05-14T18:59:00.001+03:002008-05-14T19:01:48.935+03:00

From Johnson's Russia List 2008 #95Wall Street Journal EuropeMay 14, 2008Bullies of the CaucasusBy THOMAS DE WAALMr. de Waal is Caucasus editor at the Institute for War and Peace Reporting.If you're deep in the trenches, stop digging. Both Russia and Georgia darkly warned last week of the danger of war over the Black Sea territory of Abkhazia, but they both keep digging.Georgian President Mikheil

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-80157927453584158872008-05-14T16:59:00.002+03:002008-05-14T17:10:20.421+03:00

Crazy title to this post, eh?Unfortunately, it's a direct quote from the Coral Ridge Ministries'...ahem...documentary on the evils of Darwinism.The latest thrust of the creationists seems to be an attempt to blame Darwin directly for the ravages of lunatics and criminals Hitler to the Columbine shooters (one of whom, apparently, wore a t-shirt with the words "natural selection" upon it).What this

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-5906973512303966832008-05-10T21:45:00.002+03:002008-05-10T21:59:43.182+03:00

Did you know that UNA-UNSO members fought for the Georgian side in the 1993 Georgia-Abkhaz war? Not many do, but it did happen.On May 6th, the Georgian Embassy in Ukraine remembered some of them:http://www.news.join.com.ua/full/22/26/48/9/Грузия почтила память боевиков УНА-УНСО, погибших в боях за Абхазию 6 мая представители посольства Грузии в Украине почтили память четверых боевиков украинской

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-69671973350658244572008-05-08T17:37:00.002+03:002008-05-08T17:41:07.182+03:00

Have BYuT and PoR done a backroom deal to use their majority to change the Constitution? Taras Stetskiv of NU-NS sure thinks they have.Could it happen, leaving Yushchenko looking utterly ridiculous? Maybe, but Baloga won't let it go easily. There's blood in the water.

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-84562352971908635412008-05-08T14:07:00.002+03:002008-05-08T14:37:42.668+03:00

It's been a while, but I've been pretty busy with family, work and endless rehearsals with various bands. However, the knowledge that I have an audience of multiple millions (a silent majority, of course,) thirsting for me to make some sense of their confusing and drab little lives, has forced me to once again take up electronic pen and paper and provide enlightenment.While I've been busy saving

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-47197700350022026612008-03-28T14:42:00.001+02:002008-03-28T14:45:18.187+02:00

Kudos to Vanity Fair!Fascinating reading on Reagan's thoughts on everything from domestic budget politics to Middle East conflagrations (seems he was fairly tough on Israel) and arms control and the USSR.Read it here.

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-57406615327824321452008-02-28T13:51:00.002+02:002008-02-28T14:15:47.078+02:00

I love right-wing talk radio - it's a mad, mad, mad world!Here's an example, from the Jackie Mason podcast. Yes, that Jackie Mason, the hugely unfunny comedian.Guest: John LeBoutillier, former NY CongressmanJlB: "I hate Hilary. I think she's the anti-Christ. I think she's the worst thing on the planet."JM: "[Bill Clinton] is the worst criminal in the Presidency probably in the history of this

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-10038946482086356512007-12-27T16:52:00.000+02:002007-12-27T16:53:19.566+02:00

What the hell is going on in the world today?http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7161590.stm

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-43582180036240301132007-12-27T10:24:00.000+02:002007-12-27T10:27:35.836+02:00

Another very sad day for a Canadian and a Montrealer: Oscar Peterson has died.Just this Saturday, I was listening to my favourite album of his, Live at the Blue Note, with Herb Ellis and Roy Brown. While I was enthralled by the music, I couldn't help thinking that Oscar had to be getting pretty old.Here's a piece from the Guardian: http://music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2232130,00.html

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-38951523381771486472007-09-28T09:42:00.000+03:002007-09-28T09:54:02.036+03:00

Following the events of recent days (arrests of Okruashvili's allies and Okruashvili's toe-curling accusations against Saakashvili,) Okruashvili himself has now been arrested.So what's the deal?Is Okruashvili telling the truth - even partial - and Saakashvili taking him out with politically-motivated charges of tax evasion, corruption and criminal negligence? Or, was Okruashvili's speech and the

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-54901534433347960062007-09-27T22:09:00.000+03:002007-09-27T22:17:03.772+03:00

Well, someone's got to do it, so let it be me.Saakashvili and Okruashvili going at it, hammer and tongs. Accusations of corruption fly both ways. Mr. O accuses Saaka of fascism, nepotism, incompetance, backing down in the face of Russia, etc. Another charge was attempted murder of Badri Partaksishvili a friend and ally of whom? That's right - Boris Berezovsky.Discuss among yourselves and see

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-12277994805078060152007-09-27T16:21:00.000+03:002007-09-27T22:06:38.315+03:00

Here's a book that I recommend highly to anyone with an interest in linguistics, history, Jewish culture, Woody Allen, Mordecai Richler or in just plain, good, informative and hilarious writing:Born to Kvetch: Yiddish Language and Culture in All of Its Moods.The author, I was very pleased to discover, is a fellow Canadian, Michael Wex.I'm only 4 chapters in so far, but I've already raised my

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-64911677928409805852007-09-27T16:14:00.000+03:002007-09-27T16:21:00.526+03:00

Also about a heavy clash, but one in which all of Georgia came out the winner.The Georgian national rugby team beat Namibia 30-0 to secure their first ever victory at the Rugby World Cup.Just one win may not look like a lot, but it has to be said that the Georgian team has played magnificently this year, even managing to give the Irish team (underperforming so far, but still a perennial power in

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-38215536533175278702007-09-27T15:59:00.000+03:002007-09-27T16:08:15.430+03:00

In response to Irakli Okruashvili's verbal Molotov cocktail aimed squarely at President Saakashvili, Giga Bokeria - a big noise in Saakashvili's ruling party - has come out swinging too, labelling the speech as "hysterical" and "groundless."In what would have to be seen as a below-the-belt shot, considering the views of both the puncher and the punchee, Bokeria goes on to compare Okruashvili's

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-79180136495605335632007-09-27T11:56:00.000+03:002007-09-27T16:13:01.727+03:00

One thing you have to say for Irakli Okruashvili: he doesn't mince words. In the past, he's been known for making rather...erm..."forceful" statements, with regard to Ossetian and Abkhazian separatism ("We'll see the New Year in in Tsinkhvali," for example,) or on the tolerance of Russian wine consumers for fecal matter. In fact, many speculated that his inability to moderate his statements in

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-55251506583457389772007-09-25T10:44:00.000+03:002007-09-25T10:50:54.176+03:00

Kirilenko threatens new election, if the new Rada fails to pass the motion on removing immunity from deputies. Yawn - more elections is hardly what Ukraine needs.Anyway, the more interesting part is that he addressed this threat to PoR: has NU-NS already come to the conclusion that they have little to look forward to in this election, and that PoR does?http://www.pravda.com.ua/ru/news/2007/9/25

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-70085447969214704782007-09-25T10:10:00.000+03:002007-09-25T10:16:23.641+03:00

This morning's Сегодня had a worrying rundown of the techniques we may see used by the losing side (or sides) in the upcoming election. From party scrutineers at the local level refusing to certify results, right up to deputies' refusal to accept their seats in the Rada.It's all eminently possible.Read it here: http://vybory.segodnya.ua/news/468833.html

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-24985734058437357792007-09-23T22:20:00.000+03:002007-09-23T22:28:03.179+03:00

Hey there,Had a superb 8 days in Montreal, house-hunting and taking part in a drink-soaked 50th anniversary celebration for my club, the Montreal Wanderers RFC. Great to see a lot of the fellows I played with starting in 1981. Some serious hangovers, but no serious injuries, despite the fact that I hadn't played in 5 years, after doing my back in at a training session in Kazakhstan. Two days

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-45764884236124661292007-07-25T11:43:00.000+03:002007-07-25T14:18:17.100+03:00

Another off-topic post, but it's my blog and I'll do what I like!I downloaded a few tracks off the new album The Else by They Might Be Giants yesterday. Hardly shocking, but I am very impressed again by their creativity and musical ability.I was first turned on to them back at McGill, by a friend, the ever-hip all-round goddess, Becky Scott. The album was Flood and I was immediately taken by

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-59821668596113944622007-07-24T09:14:00.000+03:002007-07-24T10:59:48.620+03:00

When I was doing my M.A. at Carleton, the Russian and Slavic Studies Programe offered a course on Balkan history, for which I eagerly signed up. Strangely, no one else did. I was afraid that the course would be cancelled but, mercifully, the department decided to go ahead with it.The prof in charge was a great guy - John Fraser. Long-time civil servant with the Department of Foreign Affairs

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-24300247098272307542007-07-24T06:35:00.000+03:002007-07-24T09:09:30.098+03:00

Sure, I was a Star Trek fan when I was a kid. However, I think I've grown to love Bill Shatner more since then. His famous "Get a life" bit on Saturday Night Live many years ago and the "I am Canadian" parody at Just for Laughs (mentioned in the article below,) point out a man more than happy to take the mickey out of himself. And that's a trait that I find very endearing.Added to that, of

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-46769345093059281602007-07-23T10:26:00.000+03:002007-07-23T10:32:08.651+03:00

From the TSN website: http://www.tsn.ca/tools/print_story.asp?id=214226John Ferguson Sr.Canadian Press7/21/2007 1:50:24 PMWINDSOR, Ont. (CP) - Hit first and keep swinging.That was one of the credos by which former Montreal Canadians enforcer John Ferguson Sr. led his life - on and off the ice.But while Ferguson made his name as a tough guy in the mid 1960s to early 1970s, the hundreds of mourners

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-25995614291534629422007-07-19T16:33:00.000+03:002007-07-19T16:35:06.829+03:00

I had really hoped that it wouldn't come to this, but the Russian Foreign Ministry informed the British Ambassador today that 4 British diplomats would be expelled.See: http://www.guardian.co.uk/russia/article/0,,2130225,00.htmlWhile I realise that reciprocity is nearly always the principle at work in affairs such as these, I still regret that the Russians took this step.

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-22358182087130092612007-07-18T13:11:00.000+03:002007-07-18T13:29:34.787+03:00

As much as I dislike Boris Berezovsky, I have no desire to see him bumped off by assassins, especially if the latter are Russians.The Sun, Daily Telegraph and Times are all reporting today that Berezovsky - acting on a tip from Scotland Yard (or MI5) - fled Britain 3 weeks ago, believing that his life was in imminent danger.The one thing I find very weird about this is that Scotland Yard would

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-13605825228860136492007-07-18T10:26:00.000+03:002007-07-18T13:28:30.543+03:00

Will Ferguson (another Canadian Ferguson on this page?) is a very funny man, who's written some very funny books, among them Why I Hate Canadians, How to Be A Canadian (Even If You Already Are One) and Bastards & Boneheads: Canada's Glorious Leaders Past and Present. Good stuff, especially for my fellow Canadians out there.Here, to takes on Conrad Black, after the latter's recent conviction for

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-51801797846792250752007-07-17T11:05:00.000+03:002007-07-17T14:35:32.485+03:00

A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on - Winston ChurchillI have avoided writing about the entire Litvinenko affair and its fallout, if you'll excuse the last word. I find it all so depressing.It's depressing due to the possibilities contained therein. If the Russian state, or even just a rogue arm of it, if responsible for the murder, we've

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-4659479764967300922007-07-17T10:42:00.000+03:002007-07-17T10:50:33.315+03:00

Although I realise that I'm supposed to be writing about Eastern Europe, I feel obliged to share good things when I come across themAs a bit of a podcast junkie, especially regarding BBC podcasts, I would like to recommend Front Row Interview (among others.) It's normally 2-3 rather in-depth and always interesting interviews with political or cultural figures from around the world.It just so

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-37007054012933167722007-07-17T10:39:00.000+03:002007-07-17T10:42:24.816+03:00

Ferguson was a force on and off the iceTOOK ON ANYONE He also proved to be a great hockey mindWAYNE SCANLAN CANWEST NEWS SERVICEOTTAWA CITIZENOTTAWA – Bobby Hull knew the fury of those fists. Hull, the great left winger of the Chicago Blackhawks of the 1960s and ’70s, had more than one bloody encounter with John Ferguson of the Canadiens.At news that one of his fiercest adversaries had succumbed

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-75757539277007354842007-07-16T11:13:00.000+03:002007-07-17T09:59:02.873+03:00

I read today (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=213602&hubname=) of the death of John Ferguson, one of my childhood heroes from the Montreal Canadiens. The link gives you a brief look at his career, but I highly recommend the two video links contained therein, especially the second, which has interviews with Serge Savard and Yvan Cournoyer, giving their takes on the man's greatness.Of course,

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-20801810461560742942007-07-16T11:10:00.001+03:002007-07-16T11:13:15.280+03:00

I've decided that it's high time that I get back to this blogging thing. In my absence, a lot has been going on in the area that garners my greatest interest (Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia,) and it's time to post some preliminary conclusions.Also, there's some news on the friends and family side of things: all good (touch wood,) I'm pleased to report.But where to begin?

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-491176099299806912007-04-11T14:38:00.000+03:002007-04-11T14:41:19.819+03:00

Not enough to make me forget the Habs' being out of the playoffs, but the Canadian women winning the World Championship - and in such an emphatic fashion - goes a long way!Read all about it: http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story/?ID=203676&hubname=

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-29247503288669263492007-04-08T14:58:00.000+03:002007-04-08T15:05:59.194+03:00

The Habs (the Montreal Canadiens, for the unitiated) lost 6-5 to Toronto last night and are, thus, out of the playoffs.A real roller-coaster season comes to an end, with big highs and even bigger lows.Highs:the play of Chris Higgins and the whole "CAT Line"Saku Koivu is still the manSheldon Souray setting the record for power-play goals by a defencemanJarolslav Halak showed the makings of a

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-3019271457404175072007-04-07T18:36:00.000+03:002007-04-08T14:58:00.624+03:00

I took these today, as I ambled down to the Main Post Office to check my mailbox.The first shows what looks like a pretty even split between the supporters of the Party of Regions and Socialists. This one shows the Yanukovich supporters drawn up in ranks, getting ready to march off somewhere (I think they went to the Central Electoral Commission.) They were well marshalled by party activists, who

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-88896211578671799542007-03-29T13:00:00.000+03:002007-03-29T13:59:33.533+03:00

Contradictory signs, so far. Baloga says he's ready to draw up the presidential decree; Tymoshenko comes whipping back to Kiev; the Party of Regions appears to be preparing a contingency plan; but Yushchenko looks to be dithering, as usual, but may well be leaning towards dissolution.Ukrainian politics are absolutely fascinating.

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-39479498289140735052007-03-29T12:36:00.000+03:002007-03-29T14:00:19.380+03:00

I'll go out on a limb to say that I've never really liked Yulia Tymoshenko. I just don't trust her. So, take these items with a grain of salt, if you must.Any of you with an abiding interest in Ukraine have probably come to appreciate Украинская правда as a source of information (and entertainment) on full-contact Ukrainian politics. It's a great source and I recommend it highly.Here, the paper

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-46615618207734266302007-03-27T15:32:00.000+03:002007-03-27T18:48:02.204+03:00

I confess to a less-than-complete understanding of Latvian history and contemporary issues with Russia. I do, however, have a friend who understands them very well and has spoken eloquently on them, time and again.The border treaty issue has been exercising him for some time and I think I finally understand why. With the treaty due to be signed, Latvia, in essence, not only turns its back on a

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-69079179924892436862007-03-26T11:41:00.000+03:002007-03-27T18:46:20.712+03:00

From The Guardian, at http://www.guardian.co.uk/turkey/story/0,,2042846,00.htmlThe "money quote":Turkey's increasingly important regional leadership role is also changing the way it views the EU. As a vital transit hub, it provides much of Europe's oil and gas from the Caspian basin, Russia and, prospectively, the Turkic republics of central Asia. This is leading to closer cooperation with Moscow

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-50680473193293064952007-03-26T09:23:00.000+03:002007-03-26T12:33:19.455+03:00

(from The Economist, http://www.economist.com/research/articlesBySubject/displaystory.cfm?subjectid=7933596&story_id=8810655) I'm not above tub-thumping for my home and native land. I love Canada and am thoroughly unashamed of saying so.What is especially nice is to see that others, apparently, think of us in a rather good light as well.That said, what is one to make of the awful rating for

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-27693686920039986102007-03-20T13:20:00.000+02:002007-03-20T13:22:14.243+02:00

Found at http://www.cacianalyst.org/newsite/?q=node/70Hey! The author's a fellow McGill alum!WORKER RIOT AT THE TENGIZ OILFIELD: WHO IS TO BLAME?By Saulesh Yessenova (02/21/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)Tengiz, known for expanding oil production and a bribery scandal involving top officials and prominent shareholders, made different headlines last fall. This was in relation to a mass riot that

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-42539945439326244022007-03-20T12:15:00.000+02:002007-03-20T12:21:39.201+02:00

I find Stratfor to be pretty much hit-and-miss, not necessarily "predictive" or "insightful", as they like to describe their podcasts. And their announcer's absolutely horrendous mispronunciation of Russian names is enough to drive one mad. A recent podcast, however, set me to thinking.In it (the March 13th edition,) they suggest that Russia does not intend to ever complete the Busherhr project

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-21224193016267543712007-03-20T11:56:00.000+02:002007-03-20T12:12:34.254+02:00

As a subscriber to the Action Ukraine report (an often tendentious, but welcome sort of JRL for Ukraine, subscribable by e-mail to morganw@patriot.net) I received this on Monday.I had read A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian last year, so this rather piqued my interest. While it's not the greatest book I've ever read by a long shot - not even the best in the past few months, that honour

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-57601476876166548772007-03-01T07:55:00.000+02:002007-03-01T12:10:31.033+02:00

Having had a bad enough night on Saturday, when Scotland gave up three tries to Italy in seven minutes and wound up losing the match, things got worse on Monday.When in Almaty, I frequent an Internet cafe called Cafemax. It's really very good: big, clean, bright, well equipped, etc. Even the coffee is pretty darned good.So, there I was, well ensconced in my favourite corner, when two groups of

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-37730472299568880722007-02-23T09:00:00.000+02:002007-03-01T07:46:50.436+02:00

Sean Roberts, whom I'm very proud to call a friend, writes an extremely good blog on Central Asia over at http://www.roberts-report.comI can't recommend it highly enough. Sean, along with Eric Sievers, is one one the smartest people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing and working with.His official blog bio says:Sean R. Roberts is presently the Central Asian Affairs Fellow at Georgetown

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-22263006620353937922007-02-23T07:24:00.000+02:002007-02-23T07:42:23.432+02:00

From RFE/RL Newsline, Vol. 11, No. 34, Part I, 22 February 2007KAZAKHSTAN THREATENS OIL CONSORTIUM WITH SANCTIONS. EnvironmentalProtection Minister Nurlan Isakov announced on February 21 in Astanathat the Tengizchevroil consortium has one month to put an end toenvironmental violations or it could face a court-ordered workstoppage, Khabar reported. "We reserve the right, if the enterprisedoes not

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-1169211708357090032007-01-19T14:52:00.000+02:002007-01-19T15:01:48.410+02:00

London Review of Books, that is. I've been a subscriber for 5 years now and consider it money very well spent. Thoughtful and insightful articles abound, and there's no fear of creating controversy, either; witness last year's brouhaha over the LRB's publication of "The Israeli Lobby."Here, Perry Anderson takes a deep look at Russian politics, society and culture, without once using the phrase

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-1161177912350218282006-10-18T16:01:00.000+03:002006-10-18T16:25:12.366+03:00

As much as I like living abroad -- and especially in Kiev -- I sometimes long for a piece of home, even for just a bit of news (other than hockey scores.) I'm taking the family home for Christmas this year; it'll be the first time I've been home for that holiday since 1996. Here's a short article about my home town, Montreal. http://www.guardianabroad.co.uk/lifestyle/article/127

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-1161101361447600162006-10-17T18:50:00.000+03:002006-10-17T19:12:38.236+03:00

Gary Shteyngart's a funny man (although he seems to confuse Ilham with Heidar Aliev.) This sounds like a book I'll be reading. Perhaps some of you would like to, as well.Atlantic Unbound | June 15, 2006  INTERVIEWS  SAME PLANET, DIFFERENT WORLDSGary Shteyngart, author of the novel Absurdistan, discusses American rappers, Azerbaijani kidnappers, and what makes satire serious fiction .....

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-1160636715840154232006-10-12T10:01:00.000+03:002006-10-12T10:07:08.336+03:00

Thomas de Waal is, in my view, the finest reporter on issues relating to the Caucasus region. I admit that I never read much of Anna Politkovskaya's work in the original; what I knew of her writings was largely due to Mr. de Waal.I urge anyone interested in these issues to seek out his work. One place it can be found is in the archive section of the London Review of Books.http://

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-1160298099148978792006-10-08T11:58:00.000+03:002006-10-08T12:01:39.156+03:00

This is appalling. It almost doesn't matter who carried it out, or who gave the order.Although it would be infinitely more hideous if it turns out that this murder was committed on state orders.

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-1154349734483722222006-07-31T15:35:00.000+03:002006-07-31T15:42:14.493+03:00

"шантаж" (blackmail.)It seems to be the only way that the various political forces in Ukraine deal with each other. Yushchenko has stated that he sees blackmail in the approach of the Regions in demanding that Yanukovich be made Prime Minister; whereas the Regions have charged that Yushchenko is blackmailing them.Previously, we had Russia blackmailing Ukraine over gas shipments and Yulia

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-1153988921855670942006-07-27T11:19:00.000+03:002006-07-27T14:09:17.356+03:00

I've added links to some of the blogs I read on a near-daily basis. There will be more.Marginalia was created by a Latvian friend named Peteris Cedrins. Peteris is an interesting fellow: broadly and well read and - forgive me PC - of strong opinions. He and I often disagree, but I have to respect his point of view.Redwine is another interesting blog, especially for those of you interested in

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-1153924189026561462006-07-26T17:27:00.000+03:002006-07-26T17:29:49.040+03:00

Having just bitched about the backroom dealing in Ukrainian politics, this from Yushchenko gave me some hope."«Я инициирую круглый стол, потому что убежден, что нация должна знать то, о чем говорит политическая элита и политические силы на переговорах», - сказал В.ЮЩЕНКО."http://unian.net/rus/news/news-161663.htmlI sincerely hope that he means it.

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-1153918029371218252006-07-26T14:50:00.000+03:002006-07-26T15:47:09.393+03:00

A recent issue of The Economist had a very interesting article on Russia under Putin, touching on a great many aspects of the country today. Two issues that really piqued my interest were the funding of political parties by big business, and NGOs by foreign aid funds. I'd be interested in hearing the thoughts of any readers (I think I have precisely 2, but they're 2 good readers!)The article's

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-1153824504572572212006-07-25T13:39:00.000+03:002007-07-17T13:09:31.791+03:00

According to the website of perennial weirdo party "Bratstvo," there are now Polish special forces troops massed at the building of the Presidential Secretariat.Here's the link: http://bratstvo.info/bratstvo-text-2713.htmlIt's a throwback to the days of the OR, where multitudinous reports of Russian spetsnaz troops made their way into the Western press, only to later be downplayed by Yulia and

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-1152700984656046732006-07-12T13:36:00.000+03:002006-07-12T13:43:04.666+03:00

See here: http://www.pravda.com.ua/ru/news/2006/7/12/43205.htmMy hopes for Ukraine becoming a mature democracy always seem to run up against the apparent lack of any mature politicians.The link above has pictures from the sandbox.

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31008955.post-1152693500450837672006-07-12T11:27:00.000+03:002006-07-12T11:38:20.466+03:00

Hi,I hope you find something here to engage you. I have no doubt that some things will enrage you. If they do, write in (just don't bother with profanity, as your comment will be subjected to concentrated neutron rays and exploded.)I've been living and working in Kiev for nearly 3 years now, taking a great interest in the events we've all been witnesses to in that time. I lived for 7 years in

Blair Sheridanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16810149970525727624noreply@blogger.com3