By Fareed Zakaria, CNN
Something in the papers the other day struck me as odd. Russia has placed a number of U.S. officials on a blacklist. They are banned from traveling to Russia because of what the Kremlin is calling "humanitarian crimes." What's going on? Isn't the Cold War over?
Well, it turns out that this is a tit-for-tat reaction to a similar blacklist issued by Washington this year. So why are we blacklisting the Russians?
To explain, let me tell you - or remind you - of a tragic tale. The protagonist is not alive anymore, but his story highlights the amazing impact one person can have on international politics at the highest level.
On the 16th of November, 2009, a Russian lawyer died in a Moscow detention center. His name was Sergei Magnitsky. Magnitsky's death fuelled outrage on the streets of Moscow. His only crime was to uncover the largest tax fraud in Russian history: $230 million in rebates, falsely claimed by corrupt government officials who in effect stole the money from the Russian state. The price Magnitsky paid for exposing this fraud was to be kept in a dungeon for months.
Despite intense pressure, he refused to withdraw his testimony. He was denied clean water or medical care for his ailments. Within less than a year, he died. Sergei Magnitsky could have remained a statistic - one of 4,000 who die in Russia's often-brutal prisons every year.
Instead, his story has become the basis for the so-called Magnitsky List - Washington's list of Russian officials who were involved in the tax fraud and in Magnitsky's detention. Thanks to lobbying by Magnitsky's supporters in the West, the European parliament, Canada and the Netherlands are all also considering their own visa bans for a list of 60 Russians.
U.S. action over the Magnitsky case has exposed a raw nerve among Moscow's elite. You can see it in the Kremlin's response. It retaliated by blacklisting U.S. officials, but it also indicated it was targeting Americans involved in the prosecutions of two Russian criminals - the arms dealer Viktor Bout and a convicted cocaine smuggler.
So Moscow is comparing the prosecution of notorious arms and drug smugglers with the prosecution and murder of an honest lawyer, in a case that even President Medvedev has said required investigation.
The underlying issue here is that for all the glitter of having being named a BRIC - one of the hot emerging markets - Russia remains a country where corruption is rampant. It ranks 154th in the world on Transparency International's index - and powerful officials can commit crimes with impunity.
In fact, the most disturbing aspect of the Magnitsky case is that it appears that the entire Russian state is in some sense involved in corruption and crime.
For real change to take place in Russia, it has to come from within. That doesn't seem likely anytime soon. The current Russian regime seems to have a firm lock on power. But there are some signs of restlessness. Last week Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was booed by a crowd at a martial arts fight in Moscow.
It was on live national television. According to some reports, it was later edited down by state media to only show cheers from the crowd. But the unedited video continues to circulate on YouTube.
Mr. Putin probably doesn't need to worry about winning back the post of president next year - but that victory might not be seen as wholly legitimate if this discontent grows.
"KermlinRussia," an anonymous joke Twitter feed, said it best:
"The crowd at a 'no rules fighting' match booed the champion of 'no rules elections.'"
For more of my thoughts throughout the week, I invite you to follow me on Facebook and Twitter and to visit the Global Public Square every day. Also, for more What in the World? pieces, click here.
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Sadly I hoped Russia would become an ally and it seems they are slipping back into being the enemy of most of the world
Wrong, Duane. Russia is our ally! We need to keep it that way! The USA is NOT perfect! Our present administration is one of the worst I have ever seen or heard of! We are desperately trying to get into other countries pockets because the last two administrations have caused deep economic problems domestically by their felonious foreign policies! We are trying to STEAL from others to pay the bills WE created!
Wow, I thought they had gotten rid of Pravda.
Thank you, dear ed sr! It's such a rare thing to meet someone among the Americans who has clear mind when it concerns Russia and whe he (she) talks about Russia. Personally, I FOR friendship between our nations and FOR cooperation and alliance between our countries.
Are you for real..? Are you that man from another side of the Moon..? Oh, I got it... you are a local a rep from the fifth column.
Wrong again ED SR, they are neither friend or ememy. They just are. The axe can swing either direction at any moment. Old soviet menatality is not dead. I fear e ride their rockets to our orbital realestate.
Current administration...one of the worst...were you born in the past 3 years? That comment is laughable.
You must be a Obama hater. Previous administration took the nation to a nose dive . That is the fact. The whole world knows it.
Russia is not a comprehensive ally of the United States. The Bear will always and only pursue its own interests at the expense of decency and the rule of law. Without any real experience of democracy, and flush with petro-rubles and a post-Soviet sense of humiliation, you can count on the nation's autocrats to cross swords with the west through their proxies time and again. The only grounds for alliance with Russia is as it was in the Second World War, which is to say that we share certain common enemies. Otherwise, the grounds for rapprochement are limited to co-operation in space and the odd scholarly exchange.
Inside the KGB by Oleg Gordievsky is a revealing look at how the Kremlin operates. Fared is
Out to lunch when it comes to history. Our Dear leader is in over his head when it comes to China and Russia. These countries are willing to kill millions of their own people to maintain the communist state. I do not doubt for a minute that BO would like nothing better than to wield that kind of power, but he would have to get down and dirty to pull it off. Class warfare is just stirring the pot and history has shown that those who engage in gutter politics usually have it blow up in their face
The soviet union collapsed, but Russia hasn't changed at all. They were never truely communist, and that has a lot to do with why the union collapsed. There are a lot of people in Russia that still believe in communism, and are not happy at all with the current total opposite they are living under. But honestly, we have our own problems. Our government is also corrupt to the core and billions are being siphoned directly into the pockets of the powerful... just like Russia... this system can't last forever. The cycle of greed will eventually take away the one thing keeping people from open rebellion: bread and circuses. Until then, let's all order out for pizza and watch that awesome movie that just came out.
Russian officials are no more corrupt than is our own politicians.
Bravo, Ed, for your courage to speak out. The dark side of human nature is not confined to geography. To think otherwise is to deny your biological and psychological self.
No matter how corrupt the US government currently is, its got *nothing* on Russia's. Re-read the bits of the article about Russia's government-ordered censorship of the press, and their intentional imprisonment and torture of of a man who committed no crime, other than working for the Russian people. (BTW, US prisons are country clubs in comparison to the Russian Gulags and Dungeons)
The People of Russia are beginning to awaken to the corruption of their government, and they will not stay silent for ever.
Russia is not your ally. USA has had indirect wars with Russia for years and were threatened by each other. USA and Russia hate each other.
u must be in the pay of the fsb if you believe what u have just written . . . spouting the party line without shame . . .
Wrong ED, Russia is NOT our allie. I dont know where you get this from. Russia ia garbage and i could care less what they do or think.
Both our governments and systems have problems with corruption...we are just better and more apathetic about hiding it.
That's what I love about reading CNN.com. One person such as Ed gives his opinion and he gets blasted. Maybe we should put Ed in jail for expressing his thoughts.
As an European, I can say both Russia and the U.S. have their good and bad. None is strong enough to dominate the universe. Both are well-advised to pull themselves together and face the challenges of ever-changing constellations.
Russia an Allied??? Hahahahahaha! The Russian Government Hates the USA and always will, they will shake your hand with a gun on the other hand
Dear Mr Ed.
NUTCASE !
ed sr, having visited Russia and other Eastern European states multiple times, I can tell you that whatever corruption you may discover here in the USA is miniscule compared to the mafia-style corruption in those countries. But, don't take my word for it, get out of your trailerpark, take a vacation over there and see for yourself. You have no idea how good you have it until you see how the rest of the world really is.
Meet the new boss; same as the old boss. This is the way that Russian leaders have dealt with "troublemakers" since the early days of the Tsars. The message is clear: make waves and you'll regret it, until you're either dead or in prison for the rest of your life. These people are vicious. Tsar Vlad is firmly in charge; Medvedev is his puppet.
amen brother
Ultimately, America will not have Russia nor any other power in that part of the world as our ally. The eastern and western cultures are very different and long range diplomacy will be hard if not impossible to maintain. I see the Russia/America situation deteriorating quickly within the next six months to a year at most.
Good comment, ed. We won the Cold War and we're all Capitalists now. It's what we do!
Russia is our 'allie' really. You are so naive and ignorant.
You are absolutely right. The U.S. government is run by a bunch of BS artist. The problem is that they are not as artistic as they think and everyone knows that they are just BS artists. For example: they love to BS human rights while they continue to send the U.S. soldiers to commit crimes against humanity.
Gee, Ed, if you think the present administration is the worst, where were you during 2000-2008?
Ed – Your response is more partisan crap. The current administration has TRIED to do more for building and rebuilding relationships than any recent administration. Problem is that most attempts to do good gets blocked, not due to whether the particular policy is good, bad, needed, or helpful – but mere bias and politics. It is pure evil to hurt the nation and peoples for personal and political gain. In the long run, everyone pays: the culprits, citizens, and the nation.
Why do so many people think our officials are blamless of crime? We have the most corrupt, criminal government in the history of the US. Republicans and Democrats alike as a whole are on the take from interest groups and not listening to the people. Maybe we should black list our own officials and have them leave the US.
Thanks....Sensible people are everywhere ... I believe in it. Sorry for my bad English...
What a pity, I was thinking that the USA would become a friend and an ally of Russia, but it' absolutely obvious that it has already slipped into an abyss and become the enemy of most of the world. Sadly.
The shills are going hard!
Huh? Too bad the great people of Russia must continue to struggle onder despotism, but our incompetent in chief is doing his best to destroy all things American, and give despots across the globe a run for their money
You should change that to read, "The enemy of all regimes who would oppress and murder their own people".
Funny you should post your remark to the posting of an American who obvously has Middle Eastern roots who is able to see beyond the current issues between the United States and dictatorships and present the facts as they pertain to justice and freedom. Your ignorance is mind-boggling!
Marcia: I agree with what you are saying except Zakaria does not have any middle eastern background, he is from India, unless you consider India to be middle-east.
So, how's that lil thing Russia's doing with Iran going for y'all...you know, helping them build atomic weapons and all.
Reality check: I seriously think the American and western nations need to take a reality check and realize that it is them that have been involved in ALL conflicts world wide over the last 50 years. Also consider the loss of civilian live in those conflicts. Think of the Bush Administration tender irregularities in Iraq reconstruction and now Obama Administration un-approved drug tender to donor for his new campaign.
So stop talking about other countries and go and sweep on your own doorstep fist.
OMG! You say silly things....I am ashamed of such Russian ..... Americans criticize their government, but proud of their country, and the Russian guy says bad things about his country .... Enough dirty politics from all sides ..... I'm not sad because I protest for several days against election fraud, and you moan .... man
The problem isn't one sided but multi dimensional, it wasn't me who ,it was the world. and for that the future will bring turmiol that will shape the destiny of our wolrd
The problem is state supremacy is absolute. If a dissident defies the authorities, whether in the U.S., Russia, China or Iran, he encounters the cruelest enemies.
I'm not sure Russia is either an enemy or a ally, but I am certain our policies towards Russia are not helping them become the ally we'd like, and I suspect they would like. Instead we're placing anti-missle weapons in Europe, close to the Russian border. We get their approval for a "no-fly" zone in Libya and turn it into full support for the opposition. It's hard to make friends when we threaten their existance with these anti-missle weapons or simply out-right lie to them.
Bull, that was a UN mission, and Russia is a big boy and needs to admit its faults. Stupid shill.
wait, who was it that killed gadafi? oh yea it was the libyan rebels, not the UN, not the US.
And how is a missile defense system a threat? You would only worry about such a thing if you were planning to SHOOT MISSILES at someone!
So the missle defense shield is not a threat? What would our repsonse be if the Russians put one in Cuba? You bet we'd have a fit. And it was NATO, huh uh, the U.S. had nothing to do with it,nope not at all. We sent no missles to hit military targets, even those targets that were not threatening civilians, while ignoring the civilian casualties caused by the opposition. As far as the death of Gadhaffi is concerned, yes the opposition murdered him, but he was only captured after France and the U.S. attacked the convoy he was in. I've actually read the UN Resolution authorizing a 'no-fly" zone, and guess what? There is nothing in it about ensuring a regime change.
@Lee, I was going to say that, you beat me to it (try to put a missile base in Cuba to see how just a "shield" would be received in the US).
The fellow above doesn't know what he's talking about.
Of what you said, I agree, the discontent over human rights should not result in blacklists. It seems patronizing and has the opposite effect (see the US is after us).
There should be other, truly diplomatic channels to express disappointment with the russians. The incompetence lies within the US Dept. of State, where diplomacy is a strange word.
its not a matter of allies, wrong is wrong
Yep, imprisoning Magnitsky and killing him by denying him basic medical care and clean water was definitely wrong.
Russia should have blacklisted every IMF official in the 1990s. It would have saved their economy from plunging 50% and they'd all be at least half as rich as the Slovenians.
I'm reading deep sarcasm here.
Russia almost escaped its bloody past with Gorbachev, but now has slipped back into repeating the mistakes of the past and making new blood-soaked pages in Russia's history.
The Russian government will now drag its people into increasing dangerous international conflicts and exposing the Russian people to new dangers in order to pump up the egoes of Putin and Medvedev and the Russian Mafia.
Because blacklisting a few people who arrested Bout is exactly like aiming GIANT NUCLEAR MISSILES at us.
Sadly america has become the evil empire
How do you get that from this article? Idiot!
**** Perfect example of how a six year old, views the world ***
Bribarian
Sadly america has become the evil empire
Surely you mean, the USA is the world's enemy...
Another idot!
Another idiot!
The government ordered the Russian Press to edit the footage of Putin getting booed. That pretty much says it all.
In the US, the Press is blamed for sensationalism and showing political bias, but they are not being forced to censor themselves by order of our government.
There is corruption in both the US and Russian governments, but its clear that Russia's corruption is a couple of levels of magnitude more severe.
I don't know Duane, world wide I would say that a lot more people consider America an enemy of the World than they do Russia. I know as a Canadian I fear the US a lot more than I do the Russians.
Americans think of Canadians as our quiet brothers up north.
Why dont you STFU and keep it that way.
Other poster has a point- keep quiet and nod yes or no when you're supposed to, and we'll continue letting your economy and security piggyback off of ours. Let's not play games here, Canada could easily be assimilated.
Ironically, Americans really like the Canadians and are happy they are our neighbors. And you are wrong, you would be much worse off in Russia. I visited Russia and even their tour guides knew this.
Kevininvancouver, I am a dual US/Canadian citizen who spent many years living in both countries. And, I have visited Russia sveral times. For you to be fearing the USA over Russia is pure ignorance on your part. Clearly, you have been watching too much of the RT (Russia Today) network. By the way, did you know that RT is primarily funded by the Kremlin? (Look it up if you don't believe me.)
Kevin, while i don't agree with you, your fear is "your" fear, and all i can tell you it is better the devil you know than the one you don't. Stick with the US.
Canada will never be our enemies. Ever. There's way too much ties between them. Also, sparking tension with your exact neighboring nations is never a smart thing to do unless you plan on conquering them all. If the USA sparks tensions with Canada, then every civilian along the northern border in the US as well as Canadians in the southern border will be at risk. No matter how inefficient our current government is, they will never allow that to happen. You shouldn't fear anything ; it's almost laughable that you fear the US and you're Canadian. It's just a rivalry of geography and nothing more. I've lived in the US for over 13 years and I can tell you i've met plenty of Canadian people I actually like a lot better than the average American I see. I also went to Canada for vacation once and had a great time. The people there were nice and they even helped me learn that they did not have a bar open after a certain time.
I agree with this statement. US is involved in everyones affaris throughout the world have a powerful military and like to use it. More people 100% fear the US than Russia. Typical american statements about taking us over and we offer nothing, the states needs Canada more then russia does, we are a country full of natural resources that the US is fast running our of thanks to your corporate ways. I hope Canada and the US remain allies its a good pair but the US is more dangerous to us then Russia in more ways the just war. ps our economy is no where as bad as yours .. you can keep that aswell
As a Canadian, you shouldn't worry. Your country isn't of consequence enough to be on the radar of either nation.
But, kidding aside, you should realize good buddy, Canada is one of the US's top Allies! You are a member of NATO, and you have troops on the ground in Afghanistan. However much you might dislike it, our countries and governments are besties!
Typical ignorant, big stupid american talk. The usa imports more than 65% of it's daily energy consumption with the vast majority of that coming from Canada. The usa would be a cold, dark place if not for Canadian oil and electricity. Of course then the americans just puff their chest and make their usual goof threat of invasion. Go for it! Send yer boys up here and give 'er a go. We're starting to get real tired of americans threatening us with military attack. The usa is a festering crap hole and getting worse every day while taking the world with it. I used to really like america and its people but the last few years have opened my eyes. War mongering, empty headed, kool-aid drinking threat to the entire globe.
Russian govt is one corrupt crock of sh.. DON'T ever set foot in this hellhole.
Actually, Russia is the greatest place to visit if you can afford it. Been there, and I was treated like Royalty by the Government. They really do love Americans.
I would be careful by calling Russia, and they know how to run a prison system. We would all better off if we ran our prison system like Russia. It might be brutal, but they have a system in place where very few prisoners ever return.
C – very few prisoners don't return because they're DEAD!
One thing for sure is that Russia knows how to run a prison system where very few ever return. They have it right.
You are so wrong. I have been there, and they are struggling with the same corruption that we face in the US and Mexico. They are the nicest people in the World, and I treated like a diplomat by their Government during my Visit. Comments by people who have never been there and got to know the common people really have no idea what they are talking about. Let's face it, they are as much of a super power as the US and China, and we need to work harder in building a foreign affair policy with them, but Obama and Obiden have zero experience in foreign affairs. That is our real problem.
Zero experience? Thanks for a Cyber Monday laugh.
No, C, you are wrong about this in a big way. Sure, the average Russian is nice (and I even married one), but don't confuse your sweet treatment in public settings with the fear that those who live within Russia are faced with day-to-day when they try to start a business or keep one (by having to pay bribes to their "roof") or publicly criticize officials and find their families, or themselves, face-down in a sewer. I have been to Russia multiple times, and what the writer says here is for real. I have met people over there who face these things. It isn't a pleasant situation.
"Enemy of most of the world..."??? It never ceases to amaze me how if a country doesn't acquiesce to the US or Israel's interests a person from the US or Israel makes a ludicrous and laughable statement saying said country is an enemy of "most of the world" as if the US and Israel is "most of the world". The funny thing is that most of the world in terms of number of countries AND number of humans who populate it don't necessarily agree with the US on many things...including who we consider to be terrorists groups.
Well astutemind, consider how many people are waiting on green cards or the right to permanent residence in America. Now, consider how many people are applying to live in Russia.
Case closed.
As Fareed said, change must come from within. The people will effect that change just as they are doing in the US. The OWS movement comes to mind. The anti-war demonstrations in the late 60's and early 70's comes to mind. No, it won't happen overnight, but it WILL happen.
I knew Sergei. He was an honest and good lawyer who exposed tax fraud, and then died in a Russian prison because he believed that reporting corruption should be protected by the Russian state, not attacked. What is happening in Russia is profound and extraordinarily disturbing – it's moments like this that the true nature of Russia's ruling class, Putin included, is exposed. Fareed's article is right in every aspect. Let's hope the Russian people take notice and stop protecting those who exploit them.
We have completely mishandled the relationship with Russia. By expanding NATO eastward and offending them, we lost an opportunity for better relations. Expanding NATO was not necessary and I suspect it was done to sell military hardware to former warsaw pact countries. So like always, we only think about $$$
Russia: Adolescent politics while fumbling for power, makes even our own self-interest driven swine look like noble civil servants for the good of the land.
You could be talking about USA! Do you realise how many people refuse to go back to the US after one visit your sick country and running the gauntlet of your Gestapo Border controls??? Seriously – I'm one of them.
My friends son is a merchant seaman. When the ship docks in America the said Border Gestapo won't let British sailors ashore. Muslims, British NO!
Very few people actually like you in the many countries I've lived/visited. No wonder those nice Canadians hate being taken for Americans!
Good Lord, ed sr, how can you possibly call a country with thousands of nuclear weapons aimed at our country "our ally"?
Ed, Bravo! It seems that Americans still believe in their power and Force. Tell me where is the difference beween USSR and USA this time. Both countries share the Same strategy. Nowdays Russia does not have same ambitions. Ha, US still think they can cover this world and do not care about own nation or issues they raise.
Dear Duane, regretfully your powerfull economy become a hostage of the military companies and you'd better take care about your taxpayers who fed up with signing the daily bills for growing democracy outside the U.S.
In Soviet Russia Blacklist Blacks Youuuuuuu!
Yeah, those nasty Russians are murdering people in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Pakistan and lots of other places Duane. Why don't you get your head out of your backside and look in the mirror. BTW, how many Americans die in the brutal U.S. prison system every year?
Realist, why are you getting nasty with Duane. We all have our opinions. Your hostility makes me discount yours.
No matter how you spin it, America is not Russia. It doesn't matter, you spend most of your day unhappy.
About 7,000 die in American prisons or jails every year, but don't forget we have more people in prison. And don't forget that although we have only about 5% of the worlds population we have about 25% of the worlds prison population. Yep, we have a lot to be proud of.
Tons actually, enjoy your block housing in russia.
That statistic you presented was from a 2006 article that had no backing and that was proven to be false after it came out.
Here are the real numbers:
In 2002 the total for jails was 978 and the total for prisons was 2,946.
The reference to the report is;
http://www.ojp.udoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf.shslj.pdf
@EatYouAlive; hahaha. yeah – american houses are so much better... who can afford them...
Lee, Try doubling that 25% of the worlds prison population to 52% and you have your facts straight. The overcrowding of a private prison system in the USA is a problem entirely in itself. Communism is just their way of dominance and greed. Comparable to your so called "Capitalist" GREED, you dont differ all that much from the Russians.
it seems that communism is slowly coming back into play.even the catholic church is strting to revert back to its old ways of controlling the masses in a similar manner
I am a Russian anticommunist, bud, with political prison term behind my back and the fight for democracy you will never put up. As you were watching your hollywood snobs mangling Russian accents, millions of Russians were fighting communism when it was as deadly as a llve rattlesnake in Texas bedroom. So, write the word "communism" on a piece of toilet paper wipe up your verbal diarrhea and eat it up. Deal with commies in your double-faced land.
+1. so tired of this western hypocracy
you ,mean russia-comrade
TO: victor "...I am a Russian anticommunist, bud, with political prison term behind my back and the fight for democracy you will never put up...".
I almost burst into tears having read this, Victor. You are writing rubbish to sell it to western public. Neither you nor your minor "million fighters" had any influence on collapse of Soviet Union. However, it amuses me to learn of your courageous stance on communism, particularly now, when anti-communism is the current mainstream in Russia.
Victor, Russians have a way with words; it reminds me of Shakespeare, very graphic. Yet, I think that both the U.S. and Russia share one thing in common: lots of corrupt politicians. I think there are more corrupt Republicans because they have more ties to big business, but both sides are corrupt. Russia shouldn't take the U.S. ban so seriously; they should just publish some of the Blackwater and Dick Cheney corruption, or how the health care industry paid all the campaign money to the Democrat in charge of writing the health care law. Maybe Russia would be good for America, and America would be good for Russia, and both could sort themselves out.
lizzie the pirate is right
People in Texas think that Reagan Defeated the Soviet Empire. I'm sure they are unaware of all the people standing up for their rights in front of soviet tanks, who have ran over people before. Texas part of US is very illogical, they want gun rights, and promote gun rights, but for example, want to take gun rights taken away from others in other parts of the world. They want to be able to buy any gun they want at the same time deny Palestinians gun rights. I mean, they run around like scared chicken butts of other nations, when they have the US Marines to back them up, and a stock pile of nuclear weapons.. There is no reason for the irrational international fear of Texans.. But Russians should really worship Reagon, you know, because that is how it is with Texas. Hell half of Texas knows more about Jewish history then US history. I mean, Texas had been democrat state for a very long time, but apparently it was republican ancestors that made Texas great. Texas Rattle Snakes are much more dangerous then Texas arrogance. As for Russian anti-communist, seems they share a common trait with black people in Texas. A prison term.
The part about the Catholic Church makes absolutely no sense...but i guess you knew that?
Like they say Fareed people who live in glass houses should not throw stones. How is our congress less corrupt than Russian govt. There it is corruption here it is legal use of tax loopholes.
Sheesh...get real. Stop comparing the two nations...did you miss the whole Russia is "154th in the world on Transparency International's index".
how do u compile an index of what's willfully hidden. That index is no more than "person of the year" award – it based 100% on feelings, there is no hard data there.
I agree about Congress. It seems like there are a lot of countries that "live in glass houses and shouldn't throw stones." But I wouldn't just blame Congress: every citizen has a duty to be honest; it seems more and more that people just want to do whatever they can to hurt each other.
The Russian Gov. officials sentenced an innocent man to DEATH because he was blowing the whistle on their stealing tax money from the public coffers. That is in NO WAY comparable to taking the odd bribe from a lobbyist. I am afraid the levels of corruption are not at all similar.
Well then. You're delusional.
Yes...corruption in the US is kinder and gentler....LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No the cold war isnt over and every thing Gorbatcheve has acheived has been wasted. Sadly....
Another ignorant believe of the west. Ask Russians how much Gorbatchev has achieved. They'll tell ya.
That may be true but not ony did they prosecute an innocent man knowing that he speaks the truth,but they tortured and left him to die, i don't see much of that in america or would you like to show me some proof
Highest Throne
"That may be true but not ony did they prosecute an innocent man knowing that he speaks the truth,but they tortured and left him to die, i don't see much of that in america or would you like to show me some proof"
BRADLEY MANNING – my oh my you're an absolute vile idiot
Um, when did Bradley Manning get tortured an die? Oh yeah, he didn'! Comment FAIL.
lowest throne aka communist pig your name shows your social status, Bradley Manning was and is a criminal i'm sure if he gave out your personal information to a narcisistic australian nutjob you'd be mad too, but you don't care do you.
What about all those good American Veterans of Iraq and Afganistan who can't even get dental appointments or doctor appointments? They are not only INNOCENT, they SERVED our country, but they can't get ANY medical care. You know, don't you, that a tooth abscess can cause a general infection and kill a person? You don't need prison for that, yes, right here in the U.S. of A.
They knew what they were getting into, if they B$#@# about it then they aren't real sodiers
Hmm, I must have missed the part where all the VA hospitals in the US closed and stopped treating veterans...
American veterans and can not buy drugs, what kind of democracy do you have? have is democracy is an illusion, I think rather illusions are stronger in the actual world
It is time that the Russian Youth join those around the world and demand their own Just society. The generation running Russia now does not respect freedom of thought, freedom of religion, freedom of commerce, freedom to travel, freedom to pursue one's own destiny. Only the Internet connected youth of Russia have the ability to demand a better country.
Occupy Moscow!
ohhhhh. no thanks thanks thanks. Do it yourself in USA plz..
great we'll just sell it back to you
says some 15 yo living in moms house brainwashed by US propaganda.
I'll buy it, One plzz
Occupy Moscow? Do you know how cold it gets in Russia? Cause the Germans sure didn't...
Yeah – later on they came up with this tale. Got they assess kicked and blamed it on weather, like Russians didn't have to be outside in the same weather or use different roads. Americans mostly got nazi version about USSR as US sided with nazis after the war and printed their versions of history books, like Ulrigh fon Rudel or Manstein memoirs etc. All this talk about Germans didn't know about weather or weather caused their defeat is an absolute nonsense.
HK What the hell are you talking about?! You people want to believe everything is made up or a lie, or propaganda. If you had said simply that our viewpoint of it is wrong considering they did most of the fighting I'd agree. But claiming the Germans didn't misjudge the winter and longevity of the war is just plain dumb and uneducated. Get a hold of yourself please and start reading using American, German, AND Russian sources for a general picture. I find more so these days you have to be really careful what kind of bs you believe on the internet. Lot of stuff is pushed just because it can be and nobody is there to refute it. Case in point, the re emergence of hippy propaganda with "awakenings" and "end of the world". All the same to me. Careful what you believe. Soon enough you will be saying the holocaust didn't exist just because there are 5 people on the net saying so.......
"didn't misjudge the winter and longevity of"
Yes they did misjudge the weather. Was that what defeated them? absolutely not – soviet army did.
" German, AND Russian source"
Oh – I did. Did you?
230 Million, thats childs play compared to the graft in DC. We just let our officials do it under our noses.
Just think about the VA: Veterans' Hospitals. Still don't treat people. Still letting people die. What people, VETERANS.
Veterans are not as important as children
Where did you get your expertise regarding the VA? Because, Yeah, they actually DO treat thousands of vetrans daily!
Not only that, they give out education benefits to our returning veterans that were put into place as part of the Post-911 GI Bill.
They are not as efficient as a private hospital because (duh) they are government run health care. You have to wait to see a doctor, and not everything under the sun is covered.
Thats really in no way comparable to the (basically) murder of Magnitsky by Russian officials.
Well, would it be more appropriate to say “Why do Russians blacklist America”? Unfortunately, a few Russians in question do represent Russia, but they are not Russia, at least yet. Though, there is an old saying, perhaps slightly paraphrased: “people deserve their government”, and it is not applicable only to a democratic society.
Is there anything so special in Russia, which causes dozens of analyst offering hundreds of articles on somewhat similar Russian issues? Frankly talking – nothing. Russia is quite predictable country, and it has been like that for many centuries. Can the West coexist with Russia in its current state? Absolutely. How it could be done is not an easy question, though the answer is purely material: what is the price, which West is prepared to pay for the peace? Surely, one would like to know the answer, and it looks more difficult than it might be in fact. I cannot offer a panacea, but could suggest a guideline – pay a bit more attention to what President Reagan was saying and, importantly, doing.
wHell the corporations throw money at em in DC.
I suppose everyone in the world has their sins.
Hello Mr. Fareed Zakaria.
Ist is possible to cover the election going on in the Congo. Ipolite Kanambe AKA Joseph Kabila has killed more than 50 people in just two days. Can this story make it in the news? Please help the people of the Congo in getting their voices heard.
Ssshhhh. Kabila is the CIA candidate.
i agree with the falcon secondly you people have to stop relying on aid for everything
You fail to mention who has been "blacklisted" in this article. I would imagine perhaps George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld would be fantastic candidates for this list. They blatantly lied about WMD's in Iraq and the result, the destruction of our economy to pay for these wars, the destruction of Iraq's innocent civilians, Iraq's cities, Iraq's way of life. Of course, waging war and killing hundreds of thousands of people as the result of military and economic destruction isn't considered a "crime" by our sell out media and government.
hello!!! they said lawyers in a drug dealer case,didn't know liberals can't read, no one is innocent in this world,iraq's cicies were already in a horrible state all they needed was someone to rennovate and the iraqi way of life was to folow a dictator or die. the war was only a catayst to an impending economic probem and finally the military officials can earn their pay
"powerful officials can commit crimes with impunity."
Sounds like the good ol' USA, unless you anger other powerful officials by not including them in the deal, then you get hammered.
Good for Russia. War-criminal leaders are not "Americans".
Generally, most Americans are not being blacklisted.
So, who are the politicians being blacklisted. One of the strangest, one-sided articles yet.
I am 100% American and served during Korea and Viet Nam but I have to say that we cannot blame Russia......the present administration and the previous administration in the USA HAVE committed humanitarian crimes in the middle east! The UN and NATO and the USA have caused many problems in the past few years. Most of it in the name of oil and some of it as PERSONAL vendettas. I will certainly side with Russia where the past two administrations are concerned! Russia is a staunch ally of ours and we NEED to keep them as an ally in the event China becomes an issue.
I would want them as an ally not because of China, but because Russia itself is a large country that is part of the world. We give China lots of breaks, even though they have lots of humanitarian issues. We need large countries to be sane and wise, because it is some of the smaller countries (North Korea, for example) that have been problems recently.
Until we stop shooting at people around the world, it is pretty difficult to claim the moral high ground.
it is easy through the power of denial
It is not about Russia, but about the Russian Elite, Jewish/Russian Oligarch, Oligarch and this is the same problem throughout the world right now, including the U.S. with their banking grab of money-700 billion dollars-and all through legal/shady ways. In the 90's here in Russia, business men were killed on the streets unless they gave into others-from the oil refineries in Omsk, to the sales of state assets, etc.... People were afraid to say anything and it is still a mafia/crime state. Corruption skitters throughout the system from the open corruption of the police force-bribery is a daily thing for tickets, to the woman who sells melons in the open market with false scales. A terrible situation has come here with the falling apart of the medical, school, and military while the world has free grabs for all of Russia's exports and the average citizen is paid only a hundred or so dollars a month. This is the bad side of Russia, but the corruption on Wall street, and money to Congress and the President for election money dwarfs somewhat the problem here. Real democracy has completely fallen apart everywhere.
It's about the Russian Jews? Oy!
Well, as wriiting from a family with Jewish blood in Russia, living here there are many high profile Jewish Oligarchs usually in the news-they were able to take over vast state property during the 90's. One is in prison, several have fled, many are working with Putin, and from teaching a local Russian/ Israeli here, he and his family are ready to fly out at any time, already having massive corruptions-dismissed by the court (through bribery) and offshore tax breaks, etc.....
No the problem is the world itself
That's all true, but you left out the fact that it was the US government that pressured Yeltsin's oligarchs headed by Chubais to accept millions in IMF loans at 19% interest. The 1998 default was the best thing to happen to Russia; it got rid of the Americans and their deliberately disastrous advice. The economy started growing the second the Harvard mafia headed by Larry Summers were booted.
IMF has been a problem everywhere. And in America, credit cards charge more interest than that after a short while; but we can't default without losing our homes.
Well, at least somebody is trying to do something. Thanks, Pres. Medvedev.
" fuelled outrage"
emmmm. not really. First time I hear about this dude.
I retract my statement
... we do the same thing here in America, Fareed... our CIA is just more quiet about it.
Say what you want about Ron Paul but he's right. I know this story and it's horrible. This guy loved his country and stood by the truth. As per Ron Paul, this is just another country we should have nothing to do with. We don't need them for anything. We can never lose a game we don't play. We should never play a game we can't win. We don't need any country, so if we don't gain substancially from the relationship, we should ignore them. AMERICA first,second,and third. I often think we'll never break from our corruption.
The interesting thing about the tea party is that it thinks that America and Russia never went into space, where a rocket can fly from one country to the other in minutes. Yes, we need all of the countries in the world because of this reality. We cannot ignore the truth: embrace our neighbors or find ourselves as adversaries.
I'm not a teabag. My point is that none of these countries have our best interset at heart. They always stand against us. As for the space programs. They're charging us a fortune. I mean they rae taking fuul advantage of the situation.
We claim global community but it's not. It's big corperations doing what's best for their bottom line. That's why we're hated around the world. "If Haliburton get those mineral rights, then you country will get foriegn aid". Well the people in those countries get cheated and they hate us for our part. Mind our ouw business and take care of ourselves.
"Transparency International's index"
corruption is willfully hidden, it is impossible to measure it directly. It is unknown how that index is being composed and that's why it's widely criticized, there are also calls calls to stop this nonsense index completely. It's like "person of the year" award – everything on feelings and not on hard data.
well whatever, unlike you bums i ain't gonna bog about this for the rest of my life, but try to do somethin about it
If index is corrupt in it's nature – there is nothing you can do about it honestly. It serves interests of certain group of people for this exact reason – manipulation of public opinion towards countries that US regime considers enemies by using these dirty NLP techniques.
Zakaria, To be honest with you. There is no difference between US and Russia. I am a living proof of US harassment on a daily basis. I am worse off than Magnitsky because the authorities do not have anything to bring against me in court. But, they keep trying to provoke, set me up and attempt all sorts of things that one sees in 3rd world countries. Needless to say, remove the log in your eyes before asking Russia to do so.
Bernie Madoff, is that you?
No its Sammy
I didn't think prisoners were allowed to use the internet.
Bulls&+T
So you are worse off than DEAD?
Thats just an ignorant statement.
Russian leaders seem to be a hybrid between KGB and Mafia types.....sort of like the Tea Party gone wild.
politics are nothing but regular people with huge image. Take away the image and they become nobodys. Believe me – US government is viewed just like that anywhere outside of US.
The image that you have in your head has been created by thousands of hours of anti-Russian propaganda. It's governmental NLP, there is no way around this if you don't get information from alternative channels like Russia today or Al-jazeera.
al-jazeera souund like a Tror group
You wish there were thousands of hours of propaganda out there. Sadly there isn't. Americans generally only hear bad news from around the world because that is all we care about. Bad news in china, bad news in india, bad news in the middle east. Russia bad news is like a bad stereotypical joke that most people just shake their head at and promptly forget. Such as the number of drunks are so high that the government has to essentially give out vodka to prevent people from drinking poison when they try to make it themselves. Or the ridiculous elections. Or the recent military invasion into their neighbors country. The news is pitiful and you can't even compare what happened to this political prisoner, and the enemy combatants the US is detaining in guantanimo. Yes america has corruption, but US senators are getting busted with 200k renovations, or 90k in their freezer. Tax evasion is done with loopholes by all the wealthy in america, it's not done by a collaboration of government officials committing tax fraud.
sammy is a, russian official
Yeah – make 100 *tarded posts about it.
You two guys/girls are very tarded
To all the ignorant people saying that America has not reached the same levels of corruption as Russia, I have this to say to you: another difference between the United States and Russia is that the American people do not take any level of corruption or dictatorship lightly. We never had the trough-mentality that as long as we have employment, enough food, and a variety of goods and services we can let our political rights gradually dissipate. The Russians adopted this line of thinking after the fall of the Soviet Union – "as long as we still have access to more amenities than we did during Soviet times, we can let our politicians slide". And then they ended up with Putin. I know most of us are probably sick of hearing about liberty and democracy after the George Bush era, but please don't forget that these terms still have a powerful, universal meaning.
Please do not make the same mistakes, America.
Em. Another person who thought that their country was the "bestest" was Hitler.
We're not. And that's my point.
hitler's problem was that he wasn't us
@AmericanAlarmist: you claim that Americans like freedom more than people of other nations while there is no reason to believe that it's true. You claim that Russians like food more than freedom – I'm sorry – but from Russian point of view – that's exactly opposite: Americans like money and THINGSand don't care much about freedom.
AmericanAlarmist: Also – Hitler also liked to PR himself as a huge protector of freedoms and western civilization. Have u ever read Main Kampf?
No, we're smart enough to know that Hitler's problem was that he was a genocidal maniac. It's always easy to hide your amoral desiderata behind meaningless relativism.
@AmericanAlarmist
"No, we're smart enough to know that Hitler's problem was that"
I'm sorry – that is simply not truth. United states had a huge isolationist lobby against the war. Also – noone knew about concentration camps until almost the end of the war. President Rosevelt said himself "I don't care what side wins: Russians or Germans either way". There is absolutely no evidence to say that US knew anything about Hitler maniacality until the end of the war. Also – United States refused to accept Jewish refugees from Germany on multiple occasions.
And accepted MANY more jews on MANY other occasions, all the while russia was killing many more, before during and after.
@EatYouAlive:
"And accepted more jew ...uring and after"
Prove it. Give me a prooflink – you have it? You won't be able to. Because a lot of things that you take for granted is a result of years of NLP brainwashing. Also – thing about "Russia killing jews" ...no comments.
cuz we make nazi do it for us – comrade
I guess my perspective is that I live where I live. I was born here. I am here. I can only BE "here." It isn't the best place, it is the only place that I am. Therefore, I get just as "p'd" off as anybody else when my own government does something stupid and corrupt, and I am also "p'd" off when another government in this same world that I live in does something stupid and corrupt. It doesn't make me better, or you worse, because you live in the same world. My country and your country are both so big that there are a lot of government politicians and bureaucrats that have lots of opportunity to do stupid things that we don't notice well enough; my own hometown let a prisoner go this summer who has turned out to be a serial killer since. It's headline news. All politics: somebody vouched for him, he was just a minor criminal before, etc., but now... and chalk it up to corruption. The best that anybody can do is try to help each other to do better. I love Russian culture, but I am American, and proud that both countries are in this world. And I hope that both countries do better, because we can.
And another is Putin. Your point again?
There isn't a government on the planet that isn't corrupt. It's only a matter of degree.
And the best thing to do is sit there and let it fester while we eat from the trough that our masters feed us from.
It's been that way since the first government.
You think you're free? You only have to look around to see that you're not. Some prisons are just more comfortable than others. I read the opinions of others in this country and see that a majority of them support suspending laws and consti tutional rights for specific cases they happen to find upsetting. Most don't even know how the government is set up to work and can't see when it isn't doing as it should. Freedom comes with death. Patrick Henry knew that.
@Sammy Yes, we do only care about money and things. If you had any sense of reading comprehension you would know that's what I'm railing against.
Sammy is a russian spy sign out immediately
@Highest Throne
"Sammy is a russian spy sign out immediately"
There is no need to sign in u brainiac.
Wow, booing Putin could mean a death sentence in that corrupt country. His aim is to create a new USSR with him as dictator. Nothing will change in Russia until Putin is behind bars where he belongs.
Russia is the equivalent of the USA in the '20s in terms of criminality.
At least they are still much more advanced than the middle east/dark ages.
Remember Gabby Giffords. Palin had "reload" on her website. Our government doesn't kill people, we leave that to the crazies.
Thats a bit of a stretch, like spandex on a wal-mart shopper.
you are right, we don't physically kill people in the US, but we let them kill themselves by forclosing their homes, lay them off and make them have a bad credit... it's the new killing style.
"Russia remains a country where corruption is rampant. It ranks 154th in the world on Transparency International's index."
That's pretty corrupt.
for all brain-damaged out there. How do you create an index of what's willfully hidden? You cannot. That index is "FEELINGS, NOT HARD DATA".
Feeling, whoa whoa whoa, feelings!
Now Sammy, go get your hit, you earned your pay.
@EatYouAlive
"Russian officials" are paid by the hour.
Where theres smoke, theres usually fire.
154th on theworld transparency index .
as mcenroe would say "you can not be serious"
is there a real common sense measuring stick for such an index?
ok everyone google it and become an instant expert like fareed
sammy ,is a russian official
Which makes you what?
They are becoming again an enemy of the US, not the world. We must remember the US is not the world.
The world consists of all the people on the earth, we are all connected in a social web so yeah they might become the worlds enemy
According to your statement the Russians don't live on the earth, do they?
No ,it is called Knarnia
It's funny, Sammy, as I've been living here since my birthday and never known that my country has one more name.
sammy is a russian official,,
And you are a Russian troll.
Sammy
AmericanAlarmist: Also – Hitler also liked to PR himself as a huge protector of freedoms and western civilization. Have u ever read Main Kampf?
***************
Sammy, you can't even spell mein kampf correctly.
grammar nazi?
sorry i"m wrong
TONS of shills for Russia out here. LOL
sammy is a russian official
a president maybe? I wanna be a president.
Done. Congrats.
i retract my statement, it seems he is just the janitor, sorry sammy
Oups. I meant I'm a janitor.
No your'e close though my friend, i live in janitor's room,don't tell him
Sammy is a busy boy! Gotta earn his crocodile dose for the night.
Google "crocodile russia" but be warned, very scary stuff. Mother Russia despises its poor.
sammy is a russian official..
I heard about that...it's very sad.
hmmmn these sammy and highest throne characters seem to know nothing about the real russia
Sammy is not a Russian Official.
Troll looking for Billy Goats Gruff. Singing troll song... "Sammy is this. Sammy is that." Really, isn't there an argument of substance that can be said? I guess not. Doing cartwheels past troll...
Lizzie the pirate is right, that limey knows her sh$#@
well well well another attempt to degrade russia, zakariya i can see in your face expression and the tone pitch, the guilty and hipocracy behinh it. anyway you are a good proof reader.
sammy is a russian official,,,
"official" muahhaha. Even if that would be true – what difference would it make? "Officials" are also people.
Exactly i know that they are the people who are stealing my tax rebate
Sorry for being an rtard. Sammy of course is a nice fella and not in any way a Russian official.
Who ever sammy is he is definitely an atard, so is highest whatever
russia does a darn good job of degrading itself.
A complete rubbish. Coming from the mouth of a guy who hasn't the foggiest about Russia
Russia's government seems as if it is already doing a pretty good job of that, without Fareed's help.
@AmericanAlarmist: What I'm trying to say – Unites States is no better but also not worse than any other world nations. To claim that one nation for some reason loves freedom more than another is simply a lie.
No it is not, there are many difference in all nations. In Canada, we love our freedom... but... if we knew not what freedom was, how could we love it?
sammy is a russian official//
Sammy is not a Russian Official and I'm an artard.
The state a country is in can only be blamed on the people of that country. You can't just sit on your ass and wait until things get atrocious when you decide to act. America used to be full of people who understood this, but now, who knows..
The Russian people have been through some terrible things. (read their history!) I am sorry this blacklisting thing is going on..it doesn't reflect what us regular Americans think. The few on here that spit out hatred towards those in other countries, that they represent very few of us and more then likely posts on alot of CNN articles with negative comments anyway...just to get attention and start arguments because they have nothing better to do. So don't take their comments too personally and assume we all feel like they do...we don't. How can we hate or even dislike people we don't know? That is like saying you hate someone just because of where they were born...when they have no control over where they are born or raised. Its just silly and makes no sense. Sadly it seems adults don't act very adult like in our governments at times...hopefully this will all blown over soon. The people in Russia have been very oppressed that is for sure. I do wish more news about their daily lives was on our news. We rarely hear anything though which makes it hard to get to know the people or their culture or beliefs.
speak for yourself julie, if youre so sad go knit us some sweaters
@Julie: Read american history. Who had segregation and slavery and wiped out native Americans? Russians too?
America is just as much at fault as Russia. There is literally no difference between Russia and America – honestly – it'll be clear to anyone who studied history.
I cannot believe the disgusting attacks on people in this comments lists. Telling Julie to knit? She probably has one of the few sensible posts here. The name-calling, taunting, posts are certainly not going to help anything. If anybody wants to stop corruption anywhere, they need to address the issue honestly and sincerely. Please pay attention: this is one of the few comments sections that does not have any moderator. A handful of extremists could fill this list with hatred. It's a shame.
"Julie
America is just as much at fault as Russia. There is literally no difference between Russia and America – honestly – it'll be clear to anyone who studied history" I did not write this btw. And "Julie" who cares? The discussion nor the article is about American's history.
"Highest throne
@Julie: Read american history. Who had segregation and slavery and wiped out native Americans? Russians too?" Again this topic has nothing to do with our history. All I was trying to say is what our leaders do (and what those say on here) don't always reflect the common people's point of view. No one asked us to vote and see if we wanted to blacklist Russia (present tense!). I certainly wasn't asked. Again how can I hate or even dislike those I don't know? I can't and I won't...even if I am called a western pig. Its not like I was asked before I was born where I wanted to be born anymore they they were. Maybe getting off your high horse would help your perceptive a bit? Also by the way the United States was never a communists state...our two histories are not the same, though similarities can be found among every nation, ours is vastly different from there's but who cares? That isn't the point of anything. Human beings live there and that is all that matters to me.
Thanks Elizabeth.
I get what you're trying to say but it isn't convincing
hey look the 1980's was a long time ago. We need there help. we are under water in third world adminstraiton and third worlders. this nation was not built to take in all these animals. and be on top of them. The remergence of russia can take can take care of central asia. And take back parts of south america and central america. I would not be against that. We got 75 million third worlders here.
they use to be in there countries when soviets where in buisness.
we need to revert back to that.
Very intelligent reply. (Although please check grammar and word use: were-where, their-there, etc.)
honestly – I don't see how this is not an ordinary nazi talk mr. "proud to be an american".
hmmn who is this highest throne guy? and why does he sland mother russia so
mother russia is a right cuN1
hey, don't hate on the guy for being ignorant to the word
ignorant??? what the heck are you saying, we are the largest nation in europe so i would watch what i say ,it might come back to bite you
He is some sort of hateful idiot who thinks it might be a fun hobby to start a war or something; don't pay him any attention; as we say, don't feed the troll. Usually, moderators will sort this kind out; unfortunately, this comment board seems to have no moderator.
I seem to be wrong Russia is hell on earth and i am only a preschool dop out
You ai'nt sammy you western pig all westerners are pigs, Even you Julie
Sorry i'm a skitzo,deal with it
Bradley Manning is America's Sergei Magnitsky. I can easily imagine Fareed's article rewritten in Russian for RT but focusing instead on Manning. Both the former Cold War superpowers are still as hypocritical as ever – and so are you, Fareed.
Here here!
Whaaaaaaat??????
@ fake sammy – hey – why don't you go to sleep. If your mm finds out u still awake – she'll be grizly mom mad.
@ fake Fake Sammy, you talk about your mother a lot, i think you should go see a therapist you might have a -phelia just sayin
Except that Bradly Manning is ALIVE, is given basic medical treatment and non-tainted water, and he is getting his public, non-censored, trail next month. Sorry, they are NOTHING alike.
@AgentJ okay sunshine, then how about the hundreds of thousands of dead civilians killed by american weapons as collateral damage. These people were completely innocent of any crime. Women, children, entire families. How about the black prisons? The extra-judicial assassinations? Kidnappings? Fareed pulls yer attention towards one case in Russia blinding you to the pile of civilian bodies created daily by the usa around the entire globe. Moron.
There is one thing that was very admirable about Steve Jobs. He was willing to admit their shortcomings. I read that he would openly admit that Google is much better at doing something than them. So he let them have it. If you compare this to politics, Reagan chose Bush because he was not good at economy. That's why I still don't get why current U.S president didn't get a vice president who understand economy better than him.
stick to virtual reality teck nerd
After i think about, i'm really tired of people who think they know it all, shut up and do something
Let us live happily in Communism,yeah right. Go America
@ I agree. Anyone who ever read Marx and Lenin books would agree that communism is a way to go. FU capitalism, FU republican rednecks.
ha Just pullin your leg, only a commie would say that
Knew you woud come around -comrade
HeII – the Cold War again??? What?
Well, anything to distract us from those who can easily mix in with our population, and blow themselves up in the middle of large crowds. Out of sight – out of mind, right?
Woohoo , America is greatest country on mother earth second to McDonalds
and even though I'm just a janitor – I agree with you – one day wealth will definitely trickle down to me too. I really hope so. And my mom tells me that I smart all the time so it's gotta be true.
@Sammy
and even though I'm just a janitor – I agree with you – one day wealth will definitely trickle down to me too. I really hope so. And my mom tells me that I smart all the time so it's gotta be true.
"powerful officials can commit crimes with impunity..........
...........it appears that the entire (Russian) state is in some sense involved in corruption and crime."
Sounds just like here in the US.
I usually take articles about Russia as a brain washer that designed to make Americans hate Russians but this article is pretty right about corruption in Russia and how political system is set over there... Russia is the country where government works against the people and people are trying to do as much as possible to work against it... When ever somebody over there is trying to change some thing he/she either gets assassinated or comes to a conclusion that it's easier to move out to US or Europe in a search for a better life. We are not patriots( when it comes to supporting our politicians or government ) but we do love our mother land... For me, personally, Russia ended with the fall of Russian empire. It's not the Russia any more, it is something else. Peace out.
You got that right!
So, Sasha, you said that usually took articles about Russia as a brain washer. And it could be inferred that you usually take the articles with a pinch of salt. But don't you think that your whole comment was "born" in a brainwashed head?
What part of my comment made you write that ? Be clear.
McDonalds yeah i'm lovin it
@Sammy. me too. thought it amkes me really fat and girls don't wanna date me. Go team usa, macdonalds and co.
Yes my friend i am one of you now
PLEASE, tell us more about those who Kremlin is calling criminals because of their "humanitarian crimes." Can we have a list of those or why are you focusing on Russian bad guys only? In democratic world, let us have all needed info and we will decide!
me thinks i wants to sooper sizez
@me wanna suck your d1ck. ummm. tasty
If the world can just get together without worrying about what each other does then we will truy be free
Please get the Highest throne and Sammy off the blog they are polluting our stimulating conversation
B#@$ shut up
Real mature
I agree with Sammy, not just cuz we are he same person trying to get famous through having a crazy one sided blog war but because you weent even a part of the conversation
@jillian: I though I told ya to shut up...
Fu – I hate america. Go Iran or something.
@Highest throne – hey – there is no need to hate America. this is some crazy talk.
I am no supporter of Putin. But, do you guys realize that US does this routinely to people from other countries. It is as if only the US has a functioning perfect judiciary in the whole world and other countries do not have rule of law at all. It does not matter that George W Bush gets away with waterboarding and starting unjustified wars. Narendra Modi from India is denied visa because according to US he has committed genocide. In India too he is suspected to be behind anti-muslim riots. But, he is still being investigated in Indian courts but not convicted yet. What happened to innocent till proven guilty?
Shut up
i am sammy and highest throne catch me on the china blog
Russia still does not understand the benefit it will reap as a nation should it ever decide to make an honest effort to conduct itself in a manner befitting of a world power.
World power,Ha,ha thats alost funny
I suck D1ks n co5ks.
What u're saying doesn't make sense. Your mistake is that you're building your view on the world from US news only.
Well the veterans need help and the Veterans are more important than the world and the Veterans are the orld
Somebody is joking; that wasn't me. But what I meant is that our Veterans are left to die, and the Russians leave somebody to die in a bad prison, same thing. You are probably just one of the many trolls on this comments board. There is corruption in many places in the world, expressed in different ways. America has plenty of its own corruption. If you are American, and you don't care about Veterans, then don't call yourself American.
Not the same thing at all, Actually.
"Intentionally Killing" and "Not trying harder to help" are different. The current administration is trying to fix the problems at the VA, but Russia's current administration conspired to bury a guy that was going to blow the whistle on them. Night and Day.
because only veterans are american
Honestly- this article really changed me around. I used to be a regular republican bigot who believed in market and stuff without knowing much about how it works. Now I see how blind I was. Yes – there is no difference whatsoever between United States and Russia – politicians are corrupt everywhere. This is sad, really sad day. But I'll try to make it a beginning of a new page in my life – without hatred and bigotry – I'll start building a better self! yey.
If this is not just sarcasm somehow, then this is the best thing I've read in the comments so far. I might even join you in shedding my own bigotry of which I am sure a have plenty. Good luck, dude
Russia is falling apart, with most of its territory being inhabitable due to insufficient population. 40mm people, primarily male population were killed in WW2 and the country still hasn't overcome it. With 150K most education people leaving the country for better every year, the country is facing many life-challenging questions, and the very existence of the country as a whole is not put in question. The US shouldn't be afraid of Russia, or consider it an allay or an enemy, Russia is too weak to be either one. The US should learn from Russia's tragic history and don't repeat its mistakes.
"most of its territory being inhabitable due to insufficient population."
Population density haven't changed much. Also – total popolation is increasing now due to natural growth and also migration.
"40mm people, primarily male population were killed"
its actually 23 millions deaths, 102 million – soviet population before war, 141millions – now. So – I don't know what are u talking about.
"With 150K most education people leaving the country for better every year"
FUD – give me a prooflink. One makes as much in Moscow now as one can in States. Nobody I ask wants to go to states anymore.
"ussia is too weak to be either one"
Russia's economy is growing, Russia doesn't have barely any debt. How many trillions does US ows to China?
That's right, So STFU and RTFM.
you can check Wikipedia for different estimate of the losses. The GDP per capita in Russia is lower than in Baltic states, so the growth you describe is very questionable and by far is not sufficient to keep the country together.
Russia is not falling apart, Russia is growing.
Yes it is true, Russia is not so strong now. We need some time to stand up. It is not easy to shake off the effects of the communist regime that ruled the country for almost 100 years, while you quietly evolved.
Russia is not an enemy to the United States, much of you know about Russia is the result of propaganda of your politicians.
Oleg, Russia has more concentrated government ownership than China (which, in practice is a capitalist state and is socialist only in theory), and smaller GDP per capita than most Baltic states. Which growth are you talking about? Russian government is seriously discussing creating a confederation of republics, similar to the US, to give them more independence because the centralized government can no longer control the country. Are you really from Russia???
Ling. What's your point? China's GDP per capita is $4, 300 and it's second biggest economy in the world. Is it falling apart? Russia's is $10, 500, almost the same as Baltic States whose combined population is less than 7, 000, 0000 people-Moscow along is 15, 000, 000 or more. Besides, most of Baltic states GDP comes from transit fees of Russian export and import. We own those little tigers! And can I please have the statistics of state ownership in Russia and it's comparison with other countries around the world? Would be nice, thanks
dear Ling Yes, I'm actually from Russia, City of Perm.
I am able to compare the situation in the 90s and now. The situation changing for the better, but is slowly.
For example, we have no debt to other countries.
We don't allow themselves to print money how much we want.
We R not a source of world crisis.
We don't export our "democracy" with military methods.
But we'll solve our problems, without you.
Don't disturb us.
All this noise with your anti-missile system in Europe diverts our money on its military.
Dear Oleg and Makarov,
Not only I'm also from Russian, but I worked on the issues in question for years. The statistics of state ownership in Russia is overwhelming, it's above 50% while in China it's below 20% by now. The consequences of this are very negative: you pretty much cannot build your own business in Russia without being blackmailed or losing most of your equity on bribes and "cover/roof", while in other "socialist" countries businesses enjoy freedom that keeps the countries together (politics is just a shell, you can call yourself a communist or a capitalist country, but the essence is the economy structure). The data on the ownership and productivity is available online. The core difference between Russia and US or Russia and China is that those countries give more opportunities to their businesses and people, and as long as the opportunity gap exists, Russia will be losing its GDP and suffering from exit of the most entrepreneurial population.
It's hard to see the bridge with all the trolls. Both countries have corruption, both need fixing. A lot of other countries have corruption too. The whole world would be better if the politicians weren't corrupt. Russians kill innocent people in prison. America leaves Veterans to die on its streets (that's freedom for ya). I happen to be American, so my complaint is against my own country for neglecting its own people. Sure it would be great for other countries to fix their corruption too. We live in a world made small by rockets, but large in land and people, government and corruption. A better discussion would be: how do we fix it? Good night folks.
America leaves many people to die on the streets, not just veterans. As someone said: "Kill one man, and you are a murderer. Kill millions of men, and you are a conqueror. Kill them all, and you are a god."
"Intentionally Killing" and "Not trying harder to help" are two very different things I'm afraid. The comparison between the two is faulty at best. The current administration is trying to fix the problems at the VA, but Russia's current administration conspired to bury a guy that was going to blow the whistle on them. Apples and Grenades.
Why don't you ask opra she seems to have resources to spare
On the other hand, US citizens are wrongfully blacklisted by the IRS and essentially have no recourse even after 15 years. Seems like 2 bad guys fighting for who is the worst.
blacklisted by the IRS? seriously what does that mean other then they caught you cheating on your taxes and have fined you for it? Oh they audit you every year....if you are paying what you owe then that's not a problem is it?
Yeah... if the IRS could start putting some of these 'cheaters' in jail, there would be a lot less fraud and we would have a lot less debt!
That official uncovering tax fraud, and getting thrown into a dungeon , again shows the wisdom of the phrase "Stop Snitchin'"
US going down, and it will take so many countries as possible.
Failed state, with 60% of people who prefer to think by a*s.
It seems like this lawyer who died in prison is a hero and a knight. It doesn't make sense that he could have been a lawyer.
Bravo and bravo again for you who will die for what is right because it is a very rare thing and always has been.
Dear friends, Russian Federation is a sovereign state and what's going on in Russia is nobody's business-especially not yours. The country fulfills ALL of it's international obligations and does not violate international law, unlike the United States. Russia even allows NATO to transport vital supply to so-called Coalition troops in Afganistan, among other assistance (only for this fact alone, Putin should NOT be president). What does it get in return, except for never-ending NATO expansion and missiles at it's borders? The Magnitsky case is still under investigation by three separate Russian government agencies (to insure impartiality and transparency) and under personal control of the president, so shut the f..k up and go kill or pepper-spray each other at the mall, or shove another burger with "freedom" fries down you throats. Russia is a democratic and a sovereign state, we ELECT our presidents and our congressmen, and we don't even have death penalty for the last 20 years, unlike some nations. And do you know why Putin will most likely become president again? Because majority of the people will vote for him and his party, even if a lot of us, myself included, think that he is not the right choice for the country. But it is exclusively OUR business. Get used to it! You have SO many problems on your own, including corruption, measuring in trillions of dollars, unemployment, health, social security and education system failure, housing crisis, drug wars at your southern border, two wars oversees, just to name a few. Russia is facing similar problems and it is not perfect, but we will deal with them on our OWN and without your crocodile tears. We've been protecting our freedom with our blood for centuries from Western and Eastern pigs alike-just ask some of your NATO allies, they still remember the taste of Russian vengeance. As for the tea-baggers, like insane-McCain: talk is cheap, come and try to put your threats into action and Russia will teach you a lesson you will remember for generations to come. Пидоры, бля!
Why do we still have missiles on Russia's borders while 25% of American children are living in poverty? With the mess we are living in, should we really be criticizing Russia?
We are selling missile defense systems to the countries that border Russia. Which leads to only 2 obvious questions. Why do these countries feel the need for missile defense systems, and how much are we profiting from their paranoia?
It's to "protect" Europe from Iran. LOL! In reality, it is to create the first and unpunished nuclear strike capability against anybody in the world, including Russia. Also, to insure American military presence on European soil in case EU gets too strong political and and economic ties with Russia, and becomes a real rival to the US. You know, your usual world domination, Big Game kinda of a thingy.
"You" are not selling anything, "you" actually paying for that useless crap to be installed in "your" new Eastern European banana-republics. I say useless, because nobody will know if actually works until the s..t hits the fan. But who cares- it would be them and their populations paying the ultimate price for the obtuseness of their political elites and the global ambitions of "your" Empire.
Я специально зашел сюда, что бы поглядеть о чем простые пендосы базарят. Оказалось, кроме обычных тролей проскакивают и трезвые люди. Смотри когда ты их поимел в своем большом посте, даже не вякнули.
Мне вот интересно, мы с тобой можем для объективности и их базар почитать и поучаствовать в нем, а комментах Ленты.ру например ни одного пендоса не видел, только проплаченные имиграшки....
Олег, большинство этих людей даже не подозревают о существовании другой точки зрения на вещи, кроме того что им вдалбливают в голову. Мало того, что с исторической аккуратностью у многих напряг, но даже элементарная порядочность отсутствует. Что меня бесит, так это то что вся эта хуйня произносится с уверенностью истины в последней инстанции. На Ленте ты их не увидишь, они на своём языке скоро разучаться говорить, не говоря о других-это замкнутое "культурное" пространство, почти гетто. По-моему ни одна сволочь не имет права открывать рот про Россию-это исключительно наше право, потому что мы не равнодушные пиздоболы. Вот поэтому я забавляюсь тут понемногу, и ты тоже молодец, как-то вежливо, но в тему.
Удачи тебе!
Макаров и Олег!
Я здесь живу с 1992 года. Ребята, вы бы не уходили – надо же кому нибудь показать этим бедным идиотам что они овцы...
Ivanova from America
Да куда ж мы денемся, родная! Будем пасти стадо по мере сил и возможности. Счастья тебе!
Слуш, они ж по-русски не говорят, вот и не заходят на ленту
На самом деле, в америце довольно много вменяемых людей, и соображают многие вполне себе прилично (если правильно компанию себе подбирать) – не можешь же ты в самом деле думать, что тут 300 миллионов сплошных имбициллов живет. Просто не забывайте, что в инете много дебилов и троллей. Кстати как и в российском инете. Нормальные люди работают себе и не тратят время на гавно всякое. Опять же, как и в России.
А упыри конечно находят себе место в политике – и это во всем мире так.
Hear hear! Yes, what Russia's government officials are up to is Nobody's business. ESPECIALLY the Russian people's! Who do they think they are, trying to blow whistles on their own ruling class, and expecting to get away with it! To the gulag with all of them!
Listen, if you really want to know the whole story then find it on line somewhere. The guy was not some human rights lawyer-he was something of a partner in this huge investment firm. These guys know what they get themselves into when they do business in Russia-the money is huge, more than you can imagine having a typical middle-class American mentality, which I presume you have. It's huge and it's fast, but the risks are also huge-if you play it right you come out set for life and beyond in a couple of short years, if you don't -you can be dead or in jail. There was this corporate takeover attempt, they call "raiding" over there, it usually involves fraud or violence. Some cops were involved and this guy became a scapegoat. With all due respect, he is not a whistleblower or a hero-he simply, and rightly so refused to take a blame for something he didn't do (even though I don't believe that anybody ACTUALLY pays full taxes here). So we are talking an economic crime case here, not political, human rights issue. The only reason it became political is that the Investment Fund was Western and they had a lot of money to avenge the death of their friend. I would do the same thing and more-those cops would not be alive by now.
Also, stop with this cliché Gulag crap. There is no Gulag since 1950s and no KGB since 1990s, and no f,cking bears on the streets either since 1500s. It's still cold in the winter, we still don't like gays (sorry guys, just cultural thing) and we drink vodka, but a lot people prefer beer, wine and whiskey. And yes, our girls are fricking hot and easy. Come and see for yourselves.
Makarov, molodtsa!!!
@Makarov....you said 'we don't even have death penalty for the last 20 years'.... you don't need one, they die within a year, anyway!
Here's my question. Does anyone even care if they are blacklisted from going to Russia? Oh I'm sure it would make a quaint little vacation to St. Petersburg or Moscow...but oh well, there are hundreds of other great cities around the world to visit if you are just vacationing.
Please wellcome to Moscow and St. Petersburg, I don't think that you are one of the 30 politicians from the blacklist.
About your previous questions:
1. You (your military) do not sells security systems to Europe, you are imposing them. Europe does not need your defense.
2. This is just to to get approval for a military budget.
No, Oleg. It's to protect Europe from North Korea and Iran, don't you know? Reagan, Bush #1 and the clown son, Clinton and Obama said that many times over, and you should trust these guys because they are freedom-loving Americans, it's almost like saints. Олежек, зря ты тратишь своё время-эти дебилы всё равно ничего по жизни не понимают.
I read this blog and all I got was this lousy bu11-Shirt.
Lizard people run the CIA.
Sorry, I just had to write something on par with the stupidity the rest of you have displayed.
Here we go again in this intelectual training....
Things are never as simple as that, he's just putting words in the air, also... nobody here worries that U.S. is ranked around 15 in corruption worldwide?
that idiot fareed not only described russia but if you put the us in its place you get the exact same story.you got that soldier in solitary confinement for leaking to wiki leaks. aint that strange though you get that but at the same time you got the gov telling if if you see something say something??? what is it see something say something and get locked up and or killed? drug dealings? we are working close with the drug cartels and growing shipping opium in afgahan. thank you geraldo. so lets watch fareed talk about that stuff..
Oh no, he is not an idiot-he is just an employee of the Ministry of Propaganda and Disinformation called CNN for short.
Old habit's die hard ! Russia just can seem to help itself ! They have one foot in the door that lead's to progress but instead of walking into the door of progress they continue to leave one foot in the past ! It's kinda sad actually , this is a global economy that we live in ! Our fates are tied together regardless of politics ! It's in all of our best interests to find common ground and work towards solutions !
Yeh, blah-blah, Russia is backward, they don't know any better, old habits... Blah-blah-blah.. Here is the truth for you, dealer fella: we've lost a great, though not perfect country once, when we believed American "freedom and democracy" bull and destroyed our "past" with the help of your "perfect" government. We almost lost it once again, but had enough common sense to leave one foot in the door. There is a jungle out there, dealer fella, called Pax Americana and it's staring in our face with a big fake American grin, but we are not buying that crap anymore. You can "enjoy" the "freedom" of a real police state, called USA. And don't be sad for us-we are building our own destiny. Be sad for your lost republic and your corporate country.
You are telling our side of the story. I'd like to hear their side of the story. In fact, in international disputes, we should hear more of the other side's story than our own, because we tend to believe our own leaders, just like we tend to believe our own kids when they fight other kids. Make sense, no?
"Their side of the story" is pure and simple-diplomatic reciprocity. You show me a middle finger and I show you mine. That's pretty much it.
The US speaks of humanitarianism a lot. Where were we when S. Ossetia was being indiscriminately targeted for genocide? Supporting a country that we formerly classified as a terrorist-sponsoring nation. What changed? They sent some troops to Iraq and said they wanted to join NATO so we forgot all about them being bad guys because they wanted to join the "good" guys.
Blow it up your own rectum, Zakaria. This country has enough troubles, we need to stop calling the Russian election system a fraud when most American votes not represented by lobbyists don't matter.
KGB doesn't exist anymore, Finnegan. Your insults at the Federation and its people should be directed at your own country for being the mirror image of what you hate so much.
The 1% have taken over Russia!
They took over the entire world, my friend, but 99% of the 1% are probably American
KGB is Putin and Putin in KGB. This is still a backward, violent, heartless, Godless Police State that should be protested against and boycotted.
It's FSB, you moron, KGB was gone 20 years ago. BTW, hundreds of thousands of people visited Cincture of the Theotokos, one of the most revered Christian relic just last week in Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral. It was brought there from Athon monastery in Greece for a short visit. Hundreds of thousands! People stood in line for more than 16 hours in the cold, from all over the country just to pay their respect and to show their Christian faith. Now, your people were killing and pepper-spraying each other for an X-box at the malls. Who is Godless? Yours is the most Godless country in the world, hypocritical, arrogant, stupid and hopeless. Greed is your god and the whole world knows it by n.ow
Because we stopped rearing fairy tale books a long time ago. Glad youre still waiting for your free handouts from "God". Since hes doing a real good job now. Id rather play xbox or take a dump than wait for some children's story item to show up in my country.
This person clearly has never visited Russia or a statement like this would never have been written. I've been there Frank and your wrong.
"So Moscow is comparing the prosecution of notorious arms and drug smugglers with the prosecution and murder of an honest lawyer, in a case that even President Medvedev has said required investigation."
Zakaria, why don't you mention that "notorious arms and drug smugglers" who are Russian citizens, did not violate any US law on American soil and were basically kidnapped (at least Victor Bout) from Thailand after threatening and then bribing Thai government. I have no sympathy for Bout, but Russia has every right to protest such treatment of its citizens, especially that charges brought against him are at best questionable. But even then, Russian blacklist came only after US blacklist and most of US officials on that list are charged with violations of human rights for killings and torture of civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan and in Guantanomo Bay prison. Maybe Zakaria just "forgot' to mention facts, of he is just a sh.ty reader of news.
Well, I hope this all works out. I've traveled to Russia several times and it's a terrific place to visit.
Funny how we have corruption going on here in Washington on a daily basis,but yet we have the audacity to criticize the Russians just because they won,t let our corporations plunder their resources.
another anti-russian article? americans need to recover from their russophobic "cold war" mentality. in Russia the "cold war" was seen as a confrontation between socialism and capitalism, but in america it was just another crusade against Russia
Russia doesn't detroy Africa countries like US ! please God help Russia to become more powerful than any other nation in the world !!! Look how many Congolese they dead ( 8 millions ) ... thanks to Rwanda. blood coltan....
why does the media always shows usa gavornoment so inocent and honest? usa is involved in each war which is happening in the world. it is shame that the poeple of usa are controled by media what they hear they accept.
An honest Lawyer?
Yeh, right! That'll be the day!
it appears russia is a very wicked country. russia supports the mass killings of syrians by their president and that is hellish!!!!!!!!
aha. not only it doesn't – but it also doesn't instigate so called "revolutions" in the first place.
Really? How does it do it exactly? I don't see Russian planes over Syria bombing the country. It's your Shia vs. Sunni a thousand-year old conflict and stop bullsh.ting here about "Syrian people". Are Alawites not Syrian?! I don't personally care, but if al-Asad goes, there goes Syria-it will be blood bath like in Iraq or Lebanon a few years ago. Any normal, non-Sunni person understands the situations and Russia is actually acting with the most respectful and responsible manner towards Syria. So, once again, STFU!
Americans are obnoxious, uncultured b@stards. No wonder the whole world hates them.
finally a great column from Zakaria. well done Sir. nice to have a break from the leftist and militant middle eastern apologist stuff.
Several years ago I went and spent a couple of months in Russia...They are some very very nice people........Actually there are nice people all over the world....Its just a shame that the people seem to have to turn against eachother only because of corruption in their own country.......
From the crap I have seen here we are no better..We all have crooks in office. Some are just better at covering it up than others.........This is such a shame., Now the mud slinging and saber rattling begins...
Bottom line is our government is NO better than any other country, They just might be a little better organised..
All this is caused by nothing but greed and power hungry..A lot of that on both sides....Our government is too big and we cannot afford it...Time to down size it,...........
I grew up living in fear of the Russians, sixty miles from SAC headquarters (Ground Zero). As a student I traveled there all through the late 80s/early 90s. I learned that friendship with these backward, drunken, unenlightened, benighted animals was worse than having them as enemies. They will always be worse than us, and less competent.
That's not a little racist? Anyone can change, and it's a sweeping generalization to say all Russians are this or that. A few bad experiences don't make you an expert.
Well, Chris....that is EXACTLY what we say about Iowa!!!!
What a red-neck, ployboy state!!!
....plowboy state!
....but, at least they are not inbred, like you goat-grabbers in Iowa!
Hey, man, I know, I am just treating that f.g with his own medicine. We like you guys as well, love your art and music and the generosity of your people. I personally just hate rednecks,both American and Russian, and believe me, we've got plenty of "Chrises from Iowa" over here. So, please don't take anything I say here personally, it's directed against morons only.
Chris from Iowa.... aha, did you try to enlighten "those animals" to speak tongues or talk to snakes and they refused? Or, if you were indeed a student, then I've seen your kind at my university in the late 80s-drunk, stupid, dirty,rude and fake. BTW, is it possible to find anything more backward than Iowa?
Makarov... do not think of Chris as a typical american.... we value our friends in Russia. Though our governments may cause trouble, we, like you, are not our government.
Made in Russia means they own you..................
And they do not care what they do to their Citizens.
says some dude in mom's basement with no health insurance.
LOL!
Shut up!!!! I'll figure it out!
Chris, you were probably a Gay looking sweetie, that'a why things happened to you the way they did. You know better than to mess with people that have values, unlike you
Who care about Russian politicians, I'm cheering on the russian people. I hope, I really do hope, that one day our great nations can be strong and trusting allies. To think what a united China, Europe, Russia and USA could do for the world, for science, for..well, you name it.
Brad that would be great, Its such a shame what power does to these people........
Thank you, Brad! You are a good man, one of the few left in the world. God bless!
When DONALD RUMSFELD was asked about corruption in Afghanistan, Rumsfeld replied that the Washington is more corrupt. He should know, Bush cronies stole trillions from the US treasury. Russia is less corrupt than the US period.
Russia has been a cruel place for centuries. Imperial, invading, subjugating other nations since the early tsars. Nasty. And after Lenin and Stalin, you've got Putin. Pillar of integrity?
If there's be anything factual here – I'd try to reply But you've got nothing.
America has been a cruel place for centuries. Imperial, invading, subjugating other nations since the early colonists. Nasty. And after Reagan and Bush, you've got... Bush... twice. Pillar of integrity?
The US has corruption, yes, but at least the US government has tighter clamps on it than Russia does. Democracy isn't easy, and after the USSR and poor economy for so long, I can understand that they are still defaulting to that mode to fix problems.
Russians of the world, unite... against corruption!
That index is not a real thing. Think about it – how do you measure corruption? aha. That's right – you purely guesstimate. It's likability show like "person of the year" or whatever award. Read the criticizm section about that index.
Well, that's the point of all of my posts-Russians should unite against corruption and not Americans. You guys should deal with your own. We don't need to be patronized all the time. Do you think Russian people don't know what's going on with United Russia's regime? We do and we will change things here OUR OWN way. Please, stay away from our business, we don't need any help.
Zakaria, I look forward to your next column, better late than never, on many of the Muslim countries that have blacklisted Americans. Interesting how you could possibly miss that one.
I BELIEVE THAT RUSSIA MISTREATED AND RESPECTED.REASON UNCLEAR TO ME? WE ARE THE ONE THREATENING RUSSIA EVEYDAY WITH DIFFERENT ONGOING WAR..TRYING TO STEAL ITS NATURAL RESOURCES WITH DIFFERENT AME .WHY WE XPECT FROM RUSSIA DIFFERENT? ARE THEY IDIOT?
Wake up. Steal their resources? They can't even develop their own, because their culture is so delinquent. Rather, they steal business know how and technology from the West, ....constantly. The US won't steal their resources...no way. China is a much better bet, my friend.
A idiotic answer to a stupid comment. Congrats, genius! You deserve each other.
" Re-read the bits of the article about Russia's government-ordered censorship "
trying to watch Ron Pual ! but you know how that went lol
Here we go again. The US trying to beat up Russia, again. Mind your own business US.
.p a p a r a z z i n c . c o m
Never mind Russia. Worry about the police in the US. Worry about an out of control US military. Worry about an out of control US federal government. Worry about the US, which is completely out of control. Period. Never mind Russia. The nerve!
. p a p a r a z z i n c . c o m
In Soviet Russia, Americans blacklist you.
Suppression of free speech? You mean here in the US don't you? You mean the police beating and attacking Americans, don't you? Police macing students? Police shooting and killing Americans. No not in Russia, here in the USA. Never mind Russia, worry about the US. .p a p a r a z z i n c . c o m
It's well known that Americans are freedom-loving people like saints almost, and Russians are dirty rats who only want to bring communism to entire world forever and ever. amen.
The only thing Russia did wrong was listen to the US. They were fine pre-democracy. Infact, they were great. No more. The one factor? They listened to us in the US. Where ever the US goes, so goes the misery.
In Soviet Russia, Russians blacklist you!.....oh wait.....
Good Morning.
Russia and USA will never love eachother.
Russia is poor country.
This world is in chaos today.
Tommorow is worst.
Pain and suffering is all time high on this planet today.
Corruption will never go away from this planet.
I feel sorry for human race.
Religion is the only place where you can find peace.... In this season go to church and you will happiness.
This planet is engulfed by Maya wealth and money... there is more money today then anytime on this earth.
But god is tricky... More money you have more problems you have.
He wants love, worship, kindness....
there is salvation and freedom from human life which is robotic in nature today.
Russia will never change now.
World Choas will become very big because our insanity is very high.
But there is enough money here... do charity. charity is rightousnous ( Religion, God, dhama and mama )
One Bedroom and One Bathroom is enough.
Internet is Great.
Humans like to speak..... they can e-mail.
There is no reason to talk here.... People become very offensive by speach..... Hide and be happy.
You know what is best place in this Universe..... It is home. Inside home you have everything.
Other thing is Bed. Sleep and do the work.... there is nothing outside.
There are so many people out there that it create friction and pain in speech....
Life is relationship..... Pain, Suffering, Joy and Happiness is in relationship
Write a book on relationships and that is Bhagavad Gita.
On this earth People in depression and illness are cured by good speech in positive relationship define by Chinese Astrology.
But there is nothing here.
But in good relationships you are in heaven.... 7 pigs or rats, Horses or Monkeys can dance like crazy......
You don't need religion here or charity..... it will come naturallly.
Travel and see this beautiful planet. people in distant universe come to steal eggs of animals..
Lord Brahma has done great job of creating all this biengs
Season is right.... time is good..... Climb Mount Everest for 2 days.....
Go to Nepal and be happy.
Bye Bye.
.....and that's why opium should NEVER be legalized!!!
Anger among Russian rising. Most people is sick of the ruling United Russia party and its leaders, Putin and his gang. Now they are called the party of cheats and thieves.
speak for yourself.
So, go and vote on December 4th and in March and stop being a wimp on an American propaganda outlet, you lowlife!
There's no proof the lawyer was honest. He could be a CIA agent.
he was completely honest, I knew him for years. No question, no ambiguity.
Putin has gone mad. Once a capable and strong leader, he now believes his own hype. Like Augustus, he pretends to support democracy, but Russia will deeply regret his power once Caligula comes along.
Who gave who legitimacy ?
The Russian Public created Mr. Putin's swelled head when they gave him way too much credit for restoring order and a measure of prosperity to the country in the early 2000s. Most Russians are like most Europeans in general, conservative in family values but liberal on economic and social issues. Mr. Putin is a KGB Lt Colonel.
And Bush Sr. was a CIA chief. Don't remember Soviets dwelling on it in the press. Besides, he served in the foreign intelligence department, nothing wrong with protecting your country from external foes on my book. FYI, KGB is gone long time ago. Also, relax about Putin already, he might become Russian president again, not American, so you are save... for now.
I meant "safe", sorry!
Putin sucks! Aww dang...I just got blacklisted from ever going to Russia – that doesn't suck
Grego, you should be fine until March of next year, at least. And then he will pardon you with his presidential decree, so don't be frightened, just come for a visit-you might like it
We're not without corruption in our Governments except that we make it legal. By legalizing corruption, in effect, we have no corruption in a legal sense, but, it's corruption in the worst sense. Recently, it was publicized, that our U.S. Congressional members can legally benefit and leverage insider information on stock markets purchases while the rest of us will end up in jail if we do the same. So, let's stop being high and almighty. There is little difference between our Government corruption and other Governments.
Steve, I could not say it better myself! Legalized corruption is still corruption, and the whole world is on the same bandwagon. They all have different "styles" or what they call "cultural differences" but it's essentially the same thing. Maybe that's why it's so easy for Russian thieves to transfer billions of dollars out of the country each year with most of the money going to Western Europe and the U.S. Amazingly, there is no outcry in the Western media about that flow of stolen funds. Double standards everywhere! Thank you for a great post, btw.
Yeah, and our government is not corrupt and activily serving/being bribed by special interests as a normal course of doing business? The latest Durbin Ammendment, Sen. Durbin cowtows to Walmart to move debit transaction fees, so that retailers no longer have to pay them and thereby gutting bank revenues. Banks in turn try to initiate a new debit fee to make up their gutted revenues, and Durbin's shennanigans is behind it all, though banks get blamed. In the end, banks will make their gutted revenues whole, retailers get a windfall and don't lower their prices, and consumers (taxpayers) pay twice now. Yay government.
corruption is what happens in any country when we as a people fight so hard to prevent the teaching of good and honorable morals.
This is happening all according to a plan.
ISRAEL IS BEING SET UP BY THE GLOBALISTS TO BE DESTROYED. PLEASE GO LOOK UP THE THREE WORLD WARS LETTER FROM ALBERT PIKE. JUST GO DO IT. PLEASE. ISRAEL'S LEADERS AND AMERICAS AND BRITAINS ZIONISTS BELIEVE IT OR NOT SETTING ISRAEL UP. ALL THE RICH WILL BE OUT OF ISRAEL BUT THE GOOD FOLK OF ISRAEL COULD REALLY BE HURT. HISTORY IS BOGUS. THE RICH ZIONISTS USE THEIR OWN ALL THE TIME...THEY ARE VISCOUS. THE PROTOCOLS OF ZION TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME. YOUTUBE IT.
The idea to setup Israel in the place where it is right now first came into mind of Lazar Kaganovich, a close friend of Joseph Stalin. Lazar is definitely credited for convincing Stalin that it was a good idea. After that it tool some diplomatic effort to convince allies, Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt, and they agreed. Vyacheslav Molotov and Andrey Gromyko should be credited for that effort.
So Israel was not created by globalists and definitely has nothing to do with them.
Yet we continue to allow US corporations to offshore their labor to communist Russia. There is something wrong with that.
R u for real, or r u just dumb?
Yes, Russian citizen, I am for real. As a US citizen, I will not stop fighting against the corruption that has led to the offshoring of our productive capacity. Russians do not deserve to take our prosperity from us. Let them earn it themselves.
Are you confusing Russia with China, missy? Most of your production is in communist China, NOT in Russia, which is a super liberal market economy for the last 20 years btw (hence all the corruption). You are obviously barking at a wrong tree, lady. Looks like somebody didn't take Prozac today...
DON'T FORGET, THE ZIONIST BANKERS FINANCED HITLER, AND THE AMERICANS, RUSSIANS BRITISH AND FRANCE. YOU SEE WHY THE ROTHSCHILDS LOVE WAR. LADY ROTHSCHILD ONCE SAID, "IF MY SONS DIDN'T WANT WARS THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY." THAT'S A QUOTE. THEY FINANCE EVERYONE IN THESE WARS..ALL SIDES. SEE WHY THEY START ALL THIS CRAP, AND MADE UP THIS FAKE TERROR WAR, A REASON TO GO KILL FOR ISRAEL. YOU'LL LEARN, OR YOU'LL REMAIN A FOOL. OBAMA WAS BROUGHT IN BY THE ZIONISTS TO PUT A BLACK FACE ON THIS EVIL. if you think i'm lying, watch this video all the way through.youtube MOSSAD CAUGHT IN VAN ON 9-11 "FILLED WITH EXPLOSIVES" GW BRIDGE. it will break your heart but you must know whats on this vid.
they weren't booing him.....his name is Putin....remember.....they say, POOOOOOOOO! THEY LOVE THAT GUY.
Ok, it's getting weird here, gotta go. You boys and girls enjoy you Holiday season: Happy Christmas and Happy New Year. Peace and prosperity to all the American people! God bless the world! Ciao.
I never would have heard of this story of Sergei Magnitsky if it wasn't for the fact that it has now affected US officials
Wrong ed sr! We have been stealing from the poor and middle class to pay our bills!
In Russia, Criminals prosecute YOU!
More precisely, some criminals may prosecute other criminals ...sometimes.
In most cases, however, criminals go unpunished.
So Russian officials stole some money from the gov via tax credits. If only that was the extent of the US' immorality. Sure we have more regulations in place, but all that does it makes the thief more crafty in their pursuit.
Not saying that the grass is any greener in Russia, cause I'm not sure they even have any, but that when you point a finger, there are 3 more pointing back at you. Thus another Zakaria story about why our Ally/Rival Russia "sucks" and the US is "awesome".
I'm not buying the Propaganda, the US can and will also burn in Hell soon enough.
In America, money corrupts politics. In Soviet Russia, corrupt government gets money.
Fareed, you are a master of the obvious. This is an editor's choice? This type of stuff is old news, where have you been, and where has our weak President been? Russia is a mafia state, has been, and will be as long as Putin is around.
A huge problem for Russia and other countries where corruption is rampant is that the country's systems are built upon entrenched corruption, inherited from the days of Communism. For reform to take place there would have to be a revolution which would completely overturn the old system and completely replace every one of the people who make up the power structure with people dedicated to reform. Unfortunately that is unlikely to take place.
Also unfortunately, the political and economic systems of the U.S. also are laced through with corruption. One difference between the U.S. and Russia is that the U.S. points its finger at the Russian problem as a means of deflecting criticism of the American one. With quite a lot of the U.S. news media being compliant to the existing power structure in the U.S. there are only occasional glimmers or revelatory reporting in such media presentations as the major TV networks' evening news, which are the most popular sources for news in the country.
Cool story. I'm going back to shooting Russians in Call of Duty.
This piece of propaganda is brought to you courtesy of the US missiles in Europe aimed at Russia. Russia is balking about them (and why shouldn't they?) and the US needs to drum up anti-Russian sentiment to justify continued fattening of weapons manufacturers at the expense of global security.
To castigate Russin politics for corruption when the US gov't is owned by private corporations is just the height of hypocrisy.
The vast majority of Americans are well aware of our country's many and serious shortcomings. But if you are attempting to put forward some form of moral equivalency between America and Russia I will simply have to call you a cynical, ignorant fool.
This is just stupid. Orders of magnitude worse there.
Russia must start by admitting the crimes of Stalin the way Germans did with Hitler (and continue to do) decades ago. Millions of innocent people were marched from their homes, shot and buried in mass graves. My grandparents narrowly escaped. Next, they might consider stopping the practice of killing journalists who oppose the dictatorial regime. Further, they should at least attempt to reign in the massive and deadly-cynical Gangster State that rules their business world. Until they take these steps, other countries will murmur diplomatic niceties while harboring an ironclad determination to back away slowly from the raging international pariah that is Putin's Russia.
And what is the list of the crimes?
1......?
2......?
3......?
Exactly, how many millions?
And what are the names of the journalists killed while fighting against the "regime"?
1. may be Politkovskaya ?
2. may be Litvinenko?
2. .... anybody else?
P.S. If you can point to a material written by Politkovskaya where she criticises Putin and his regime in any substantial manner, please place a reference here. I would be interested to read. However, I am not interested in reading an article speculating about her death: she seems to be more famous in her death rather than in her journalism.
P.S.P.S: Same applies to Litvinenko: point to any material written by him where he criticises Putin and the regime while providing meaningful facts to prove his point. Again, I am not interested in baseless fantasies and unsupported allegations.
P
Many people may believe the cold war is over but no one ever convinced Putin that he needed to pay any attention. He and his cronies want to live the life of the old Kremlin Party crowd and use the Secret Police to ensure no one makes waves. Screw them. They need the West a lot more than the West needs them.
And why this subject is brought up a the first place?
At first, the article in trying to make a saint of Magnitsky portraying him a a fighter against corruption and almost a fighter against the "regime". No, he was not any of that. Just a greedy lawyer who took an opportunity to make money in a lucrative job of a foreign company whose official task is to provide supposedly independent audit of Russian companies in order to certify them as potential recipients of foreign investments. An in process of doing so he was uncovering instances of tax evasion by some people while helping some other people to evade taxes. In the United States this would be called "practice", yes, just legal practice. All right, some people do not like when somebody gets on their way. OK. Business is a tough game by played by tough guys. Sometimes by wise guys. There is no place for waning. Magnitsky new in advance what he is getting into, did not he?
Then he died while in custody. OK. The prison guards were not nice to him. And even tried to coerce him for a "confession". So they fabricated or blow out of proportion a case against him. That is true. In fact, these people are not nice no ANYBODY because this is part of their job description. Their job is specifically to make a suspect know that he is in serious situation. Come on, people, just go to Moscow and get caught for a residency registration violation or get a speeding ticket and see how you will be treated.
Then journalists and human right advocates cached in and took advantage of the whole situation. Did not you know that human rights us a big business in Russia? Yes, I am talking about money. That is right, grants from United States. Freedom House, or whatever it is called. A member of Helsinki Group? What grant? Prove that you are doing something.
OK. OK. His death was investigated and all the low-level perpetrators were punished. Somebody got fired. Somebody will probably wind up in prison (this is not over yet).
THEN WHAT? WHY THE WHOLE STORY IS BLOWN TO POLITICAL DIMENSION? International sanctions. US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES GOT INVOLVED. Secretary Cinton is talking human rights, bhah blah blah.
What is even more remarkable is HOW QUICKLY the list was put together. Looks like U.S. House of Representatives is fully aware of the names of employees of local police station and local hospital - everybody ho is involved or potentially involved. Just look at the specific list.
Come on. There is no reason for any of that. These were just few wise guys squabbling about money.
did anyone post anything about wat this article is about? its not about who is more corrupt. US is corrupt and so is Russia duh, its about the fact that the Russian government knowingly killed this man and covered it up and got caught. The US didnt like it, so instead of just shrugging it off, they made a black list of the officials they think should be punished for it, so now the russians are doing it to them. This is chess here people, its not checkers. it was wrong and the US is saying something. Thats all. you could sit here all day and point fingers to who is the "bad guys" but we've all done something wrong, some get caught, some dont. Russia got caught and happen to have a bad rep for mass murders and killings. point is it was wrong stop trying to change the subject and start bad mouthing the US.
Seems like the person who wrote this does not know what has been happening in the USA for a long time. Lets continue to keep his head under the sand.
Yes or No to these thoughts.
The USA and the west have no corruption
The USA and the west have bankers that are honestly honest
The usa and the west do not break embargo rules
The usa and the west do not have thefts
The usa and the west should stop eating and said they have not eaten, i.e. lie to their people and allow the rich to get richer on the poor peoples' backs. So some of the things done in the usa are done in other countries. Take the splint off your eyes first, O american.
This article is child's attempt to write his first essay.
It started with a serious headline and ended up lambasting a superior being, more superior to the author of this article. His article dwelt with why americans are blacklisting Russia. He did not say much to deserve such a powerful headline. Putin has been an excellent leader of his country and will continue his good work in another few months. Putin is coming back to clean up the mess the world is in now. He is coming back with a lot of determination to bring Russia back to the forefront of politics and warfare. Lookout world, Putin! Putin!...yes I am from the west but try to be unbiased.
You failed miserably at not being biased and are unfortunately misguided by misinformation. I would suggest you do your own research on the man. Russian politicians are just as corrupt as American politicians.
This article infuriates ms . . . first, i doubt that we – the U.S. – has heard the entire story on this matter of the prisoner that died in the Moscow jail. Second, how dare we appoint ourselves/the U.S. to sit in judgment?? All countries have things that "appear" to be a certain way, but in reality, it rarely is. It always seems to be okay for the U.S. to do anything they damn well please and double-dare anyone to question us. The U.S. is not the ruler of the world, and it's time it was realized.
Long live Saddam Hussein and his sons Uday and Qusay!
Krushev took out his shoe at the U.N 50 odd years ago and was banging it on the table in front of the general assembly. No matter how things changed after all those years, Russian leadership is still the same. Their target has always been the U.S.
and the main reason is, they have never been able to equal the U.S in the world stage. They do have advanced weapons and that is about it. In other words, a banana republic.
russia because of australia, nice.....
Good Evening.
Modern day status of world.
World is full of warriors today over 1 billion very strong men....
These people are rich and powerful fully equipped with knowledge to fight ferociously in Intellectual warfare.
There will not be any nuclear war here now....
People will fight here big time after I leave U.S. on December 9, 2011.
There is no ethics here or friendhip..... just do it.
Problem will never solve....
Infinite wars are underway..... look at President Putin.... In America CIA.... In India CBI
It will become chaos.
America will never give anything to anybody in 100 years.
Everything outside America is trash....
Russia bassia is not important.
Germany is baby janitors
England doesn't exist.
France is meaningless....
Nobody is important now
Energies have come on this planet and in this year of Horse everything will change.
It is follish to argue with America now....
Mind your own bussiness.
American women doesn't care about world Monarchies..... they are also finished here today
no President or Prime Minister command respect here.....
Senate rules.
Brahma is free today.
He is less Mischievous....
Time is changing.
Kindness has left America today.
Please understand till you get hurt.
No Country on this planet America loves today.
Very difficult.
American problem is solved today.
President George W. Bush is back today.
We are the World.
Thanks
Sam Rupani
Houston
I think the Russian people are in the same boat as us Americans our politicians use smoke and mirrors theirs not so much.
Good Evening.
Last problem on this planet.... Poverty in India.
India has lot of money today..... 5 million trillion dollar but cannot solve the issues of extreme poverty...
United States Senate should help.
President of India is a creative woman.... she wants to impose emergency or police rule to fry poor indians so they can leave ghettos and move up..... it is difficult to remove people from poor real estate.
Let us see by December 28, 2011.
We have to shake and move people so they can change internally and externally.
US Senate please support Indian President.
It is all about poverty.
2-4 years will be needed here.
Priyanka Gandhi Will become Prime Minister on December 28, 2011.
Everything is President....
Thanks
Regards
Sam Rupani
Houston.
russia can barely afford to feed its people. they lost the war and don't know it. they are crappy business men who only pride themselves in killing and war.
Oh, really Fareed? How about billions missing from US tax payers's money in the name of quest for WMDs in Iraq?
$230.00 million dollars of fraud in Russia is nothing compared to loss of lives of 4,000 US soldiers and 200,000 Iraqis.
Russia is way far from perfect. And it is corrupt, alright. I am telling this to you as Russian, who became an American over 15 years ago. So I know both sides quite well.
Yet...Mr. Magnitsky is not a martyr – he is a crook. Mr. Zakaria somehow forgot to mention why he was arrested. I am not in favor how was he treated, but he knew what would be coming when he got himself tangled in it.
It will take a few generations for Russia become more democratic, don't expect an overnight change after 70 years of Communism. Just like you should not expect much of positivity from "Spring Revolutions" in Middle East. The problem is that Americans try to use their mentality, views and traditions and apply it to a totally different cultures. You just need to understand them and work with them, not try to impose an "American Democracy". How long did it take to America to get where it's at now?
Russia should be a strategic ally – it's better to have them as friends, when it comes to Islamic expansion. Don't make the same mistake as it was done in Yugoslavia. Serbs historically protected Europe from Islam. See what happens there now? What is happening right now in Kosovo? US and NATO has opened a door for drugs, weapons and crime to Europe.
Just accept things the way you are – known tyrants are predictable, when you get new order things go crazy. Look at Iraq and Afghanistan...So leave Russia alone and let them handle internal affairs themselves.
Russia should bomb the missle defense sites wheN they are almost completed. Nothing the USA says is true. Russia will look like Iraq if they do not start bombing theIr enemies before their enemies gain too much power. A nuclear-armed Iran which can wipe israel away will prevent the jews from starting trouble. Armed neighbors are polite neighbors.
Hermitage's western advisers, Covington & Burling and APCO should be congratulated for making Russian government officials persona non grata in most western capitals. Perhaps even more amazing, these champions of western ethics and conscience also work for the Russian government. Bravo, gentlemen, Bravo!
Everything you need to know about Russia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poisoning_of_Alexander_Litvinenko
I must have missed the US CIA killing its former members and reporters who talk of US misdeads. We have a whole group of 9/11 truthers, but they aren't being killed by the US establishment and intelligence agencies.
And let's not forget KAL 007 either.
Oh, and which side of the Berlin wall were people being shot on for decades? It wasn't the US/FR/BR side.
Fareed Zakaria, I like your article very much, but where did you come up with the idea of an Honest Lawyer? Lol Jk, but not really.
Good morning.
New machines have come from space...
Iphone in watch and ear piece...
Computer in belt and screen in eye glasses....
Everything is given to Apple Corporation.
Mr. Steve Jobs is working on it.
Rich people are very happy....
CIA is thrilled.
Package price is $5,000 or less.... May be $4,000
Thanks.
Sam Rupani
Houston.
PS: Mr. Steve Jobs is alive and leave in Houston today.
Come on, Russia has been a cesspool of corruption for centuries, and they are content to stay that way. Ironically, the way the current Russian rulers kill anyone who dares to speak out is actually a much clearer statement about their Government than anything those people had to say before they were killed!
It's too bad that Russians got rid of one monster to live with another. Whats a waste of so many liives and efforts to free themselves from communism ...
We have our own corruptions in certain places in the US...it is shameful. But we cannot compare to Russia. Look at the young oil magnate who Putin had tried on phony charges, then when he was due to get out of jail, Putin came up with more charges. The guy just laughed, but it is sad to see this young entrepreneur wasting his life away in a Russian prison...because he dared to challenge Putin. It is also sad for Russians who would benefit from a capitalist society.
for those of you who can read Russian, here is 100 page comrehensive report on how it was done and who was responsible.
http://russian-untouchables.com/rus/docs/P01RUS.pdf
Another anti-Russian article from the King of anti China/Russian propaganda. Zakaria, why don't you focus on India instead!
Zakaria, above: "...one of 4,000 who die in Russia's often-brutal prisons every year."
Baltimore Sun, Dec 6, 2006: "Each year, approximately 7,000 Americans die in U.S. prisons and jails. Some of these deaths are from natural causes, but many more result from mental disorders left undiagnosed and diseases left untreated."
May Americans expect Russia to be an Ally of terrorist USA. How can there be alliance between a nation that stand for justice and a terrorist nation like USA.Thank God that we have Countries like Russia and China that always cub excesses of this worst terrorist nation.
With all our resources we still cannot find other life forms in our own little solar system, who knows maybe we are lucky to have life in this far part of the galaxy. 5 million species or more on earth, including ourselves and yet we want to destroy it all. We are all living inside this huge, complex life support system called earth. We should be more focused on finding ways to create meat from cells,faster growing crops, less toxic gases and radiation, and as we are the top of the food chain on this little midget planet, i can assume that in 100 million galaxies uncluding ours there is a greater threat to us all. We need all the world powers to start focusing on space exploration, once we see the truth, we will get rid of religion , rid of these rich elite old hags who, invested fortunes in anti aging drugs, and since they know they gona die-–THEY wana see the world end .. like rokafeller and queen of england who have enough money to feed half of the planet for a decade.
So long as Putin is in charge of Russia, nobody should expect Russia to be 'nice' or cooperative with US. Because Putin was once an important KGB key member. Putin cannot be trusted, simply put. Historically, has no interest in any foreign policies unless it is financially beneficial to his 'gang'.
This sounds a lot like the gerrymandering that goes on in the US. except for the killing .The politicians of most so called democracies will do almost anything to keep their job they can make so much money on the side. Term limits for all of them and no lobbing for twenty years after they complete their term.
Whats not common between Russia and Pakistan?
Mr Magnitsky died in November 2009 at the age of 37 after being kept in appalling conditions without essential medical treatment in pre-trial detention for almost a year. His crime? He had uncovered a $230m corruption by the Russian officials. The US administration is slapping travel ban and freeze on the assets of 60 officials involved in the case. A rightful reaction you would say to prevent persecution of those endeavering to expose public corruption. Think again. Pakistan has been saddled with a civilian administration since 2008 the leaders of which were already well known for their massive corruption. It is an established fact the heads of current Pakistan ruling party were brought in president Musharraf via a US brokered device the NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinace) that gave amnesty to Mr Zardari and the likes with world renowned corruptions scandals against them.
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I'm not sure why my refrigerator (whirlpool model # ET22RK) is making a dripping sound?it's got quiet a few good years on it, i think purchased back in the 90's, but in the last few months or so it has been making a dripping sound, i can't find any water dripping in either the fridge or freezer parts, and there is nothing dripping in the back, or under the unit,so i don't know what to do,money is tight as everyone already knows, so i don't want to invest in a professional to look at it, and charge some major money if it is not needed,anybody got any ideas?any help would be greatly appreciated.
knowing well Russians.... why should they be a US friend ?! Since the fall of communism, Americans have done all to they could to ruin, isolate and break up their country. You are the worst and most immoral enemy Russians ever had. I only wonder why they do use your tactics... they could do a lot of things