In a new book based on an extensive series of interviews, Dmitry Travin traces the uncertain and contradictory evolution of those who came of age in Russia in the 1970s, living at the crossroads between the Soviet era and the period of opening up to the Western world.
Today's news: Sri Lanka's parliament amends the constitution to limit presidential powers; Japan and Australia sign new energy and security agreements; Chinese former President Hu Jintao is escorted from the closing ceremony of the Communist Party congress; new Israeli raids hit Syria; Russian oncology clinics will provide treatment only upon payment for each session.
Law against the "propaganda" of "non-traditional" sexual relations under discussion. The Orthodox Church sees the Lgbt reality as "an instrument of invasion of the collective West in a hybrid war against Russia". More proposals for restrictions and punishments for "Satan's messengers" will be forthcoming.
Some monks have blessed volunteers and mobilised to the front; others condemn the Putin offensive. Buddhism has tens of thousands of followers throughout the country. Buddhist beliefs admit the defence of the population from external threats.
Sanctions and military mobilisation are weighing heavily. In the 'Ciscaucasia', companies have lost up to 90% of their turnover. Income consumed by inflation. Income from the sale of energy resources will suffice for a year. It is difficult for the central government to make financial concessions to the periphery.
It should be yet another alternative to the multilateral institutions controlled by the West. For Russia, it is a valuable tool for its autonomy from the US and Europe. Moscow's possible exclusion from the UN Security Council could mark the end of the post-World War II balance.
The great Russian writer Viktor Erofeev likened the president - with his resentments and war manias - to 'a street thug' seeking to retake the world and vengence all the humiliations suffered. 'Russophobia' is one of the main motivations for Putin's war, but the problem is that it is not a sentiment peculiar to opponents, but a part of the 'Russian soul' itself
The 'free peoples' are in favour of independence from Moscow. Russia seen as an 'artificial' construction. Major pushes in Tatarstan and Bashkortostan. Central government repression. Everything will depend on the outcome of the Ukrainian conflict.
Kremlin's response to the bombing of the Crimean bridge. At least 84 rockets fired from Moscow at targets including civilians. Expert: Putin wants to terrorise the Ukrainian population. The "czar" is in a panic: he takes contradictory and unpredictable decisions.
This year’s Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Belarusian Ales Bialiatsky, Russia’s Memorial movement, and Ukraine’s Centre for Civil Liberties to honour their worldview, which radically differs from the exaltation of the “sovereign" identities that led to war. The only answer to any “hegemony” lies with the defence of freedom, peoples, and individuals.
Today's headlines: Joint military exercise by Tokyo and Seoul (with the US) in response to North Korean launches; Vientiane suspends mining operations at a Chinese-owned gold mine; cholera continues to strike in Syria, first case of contagion in neighbouring Lebanon; Moscow's Orthodox churches propse a liturgy for soldiers engaged in the war on Ukraine.
Russian annexation of Ukrainian territories raises the issue of Orthodox ecclesiastical jurisdiction. It cannot be taken for granted that local churches will be incorporated into the Moscow Patriarchate. Priority of rebuilding sacred places destroyed (by the Russians).
This follows Putin's aggression against Ukraine. China is buying Russian oil and gas at discounted prices but not investing in Russia under its Belt and Road initiative. With its economy struggling, Beijing wants to avoid secondary sanctions from the West. No Chinese weapons and ammunition are being sold to Russia.
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