Comments by DLZ

'Moscow doesn’t believe in tears' - sense of this catch phrase is quite different from what the author thinks about. It is from a person who never opened a history hanbook. As usual, the Economist presented extremely superficial article on important matter.

What NATO? Does it still exist?

Every matter requires professionalism.
I mean business of the Economist is everywhere except Physics. For me as an engineer these articles have been laughable - so shallow they were.
The articles did not reveal even one hundredth of the matter with neutrinos and future consequences of new discovery. If you can't apply a simple equation all other text is worthless.

This country has been existing for more than 1000 years already. Let's not to overdramatize current events. 6+(?) years is so short period of time...

Surprisingly, few people in Russia actually use word ‘circus’ to describe a situation similar to forthcoming elections. There are other popular expressions for usage in similar cases: ‘Kino I Nemtsy’ (Movie and Germans), ‘Muppet show’ etc. I doubt if it will be easy for foreigners to understand these idioms.

On other hand popularity of United Russia has clearly diminished, but not so critical to loose lion share in the Parliament. I admit one or even two parties more could be presented in next Duma list. Of course, current economic situation could be better, but labour market is heating now, for example. For ordinary people it is obvious reason to vote ‘yes’.

I visit Caucasus twice a year. There is still some crime there. But for example, the region has received record crops this year. Situation in farming in regions like Chechnya or Dagestan is improving. That is why regional leaders take so huge support from the people. And that is why people fight against islamists there.

In general, things could be better but on whole, the country is moving to right direction, not vice versa.

Success in wars is achieved through big numbers and higher efficiency. No one needs a fighter costing like a space rocket. Remember WWII and Vietnamese war, lost by more technologically developed powers.

On the other hand, like in land arms, military aircraft engineering is approaching its natural limits. Modern radar technology allows to see aircrafts which seemed 'stealth' earlier and rockets can efficiently hit them. The whole world of military engineering is moving toward unmanned technologies.

No matter how 'stealth' your aircraft is, it is more important to to exceed in numbers.

No, thank you. I already served in the Army.

Cavalry consists of gentlemen. US Army does not have gentlemen.

“Europe is no longer the sole source of inspiration for modernisation in Russia,” says Mr Lukyanov”.

This is an absolutely wrong and blind statement. Russians see Europe and the UK as the good reference how good living should look like. That is why they like travelling there, walking around in European cities, photographing etc. As soon as Europe opens its borders for tourists it will see tsunami of holiday travelers and their expenses from the East.

Now, when Russia has GDP per capita on par with level of Poland, she has been achieving something quite unthinkable in Communist era: comparative economic superiority to its former East European satellites.

London, Paris, Milan, Vienna etc look much better in eyes of Russians, than let’s say American cities. So let’s open borders and enjoy advantages of free trade and the exchange in stretched meaning.

Problem is that BP still wants to be married with two wives in Russia. Maybe it is prudent practice somewhere else but definitely not in Russia. BP should decide for themselves whom to have friendship with - oligarchs or the country. For Russia BP isn't the single source of technology. That is it.

Looks right: "The reset has reached its limits".

In case US decides to locate missiles in Poland, Russia will have full right to tear NewSTART treaty, stop cooperation on Afghanistan and further strengthen cooperation with Eastern Europe.

In Russia's view, US has lost both wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and now losing their economy. In future, it will give Russia right for even bigger concessions from America. Let's await for America's bankruptcy and then share the pie.

Mikaeel6,

interesting explanation into modern Islam. I visit the Caucasus twice or three times per year commonly. Times have changed, of course.

Badly educated or poorly paid young people seek explanation to their real life. They have now instrument there which did not exist recently: the Internet. I say that humanization of the Caucasus continues. If clerics still have 500-600 followers, it is quite different from what was there in XIX century. I know a lot of Chechens or Ingushs who say they do not want to live under Sharia Arabian law since they are the people of the Caucasus, older and cleverer culture. Look how many young people from there now receive higher education. The Caucasus, former Turkish colony, looks different against their former Metropoly. It definitely has future. Look how aggressively Chechens return to farming - all Eastern Stavropol is returning now to status of biggest Russia's source of grain and rape oil.

England dreams about Russia's disintegration since XVI century. British Empire is the matter of the past and Russia - still exists!

Concerning Caucasus, local people made their decision about level of integration into Islam in XIX century. Author of this article is definitely unaware of it.

Mr Fridman is not a "great survivor", he is a beggar. I saw him at 3 mts distance while being in Moscow. Everything he knows is money, nothing more. He can't create productive businesses and simply tries to stick to a more creative partner every time.

He crossed Kremlin's path and I think it has been desperate step from him.

Russia needs BP's unique experience more and I think Kremlin is able to invent something quite interesting against this intriguer. We know well Putin, don't we?

Definitely, I am not a Putin’s proponent. But I agree: “A thief should sit in jail”. While being free, Khodorkovsky bragged how much of taxes he underpaid (billions of USD). Everyone should keep it mind. Similar case in the US could result in thousands years of punishment. Surprisingly, US State department still backs Khodorkovsky. Why?

Doubtful deal. PepsiCo isn’t an expert in dairy industry and they will have at least two years of high pricing on grain, key element in cattle feeding. It is well reflected in WBD current NY Stock Exchange quotation which is 2.5 times lower than it was before succession by Tony Maher. That guy from somewhere is Missouri is rather inadequate for Russian reality, he is without any strategy. Western CEOs are commonly weak in Russia as their average and standardized American education does not go here. That move of Pepsi is inspired by competition with Coke, nothing more. This is not a chess game.

The Economist is right: Western leaders should make new concessions and.... continue educating Russia's elite. It is not shameful for us: an average Russian is rather self-critical. We like good advice.

I would disagree at one point only: we are no longer the Soviet economy (I have Master degree in Economics). The economy is self-sufficient now. The crisis which was born in the US, did not affect Russia and last traces have gone already. Construction activity is flourishing again. The Economist should hire new subject analysts.

If someone called Kyrgizia as "Switzerland", the other has full right now to call Afganistan, its neighbour, as "France".

Right. I am not eager to connect with this "revolutionary" Yota either. We'll expect "next generation", like LTE.

"It is less corrupt than most former Soviet republics". What a strikingly accurate definition. But some of my friends who actually live in modern Georgia report some different picture.

I agree that the best way to make Georgian police effective was to make them free from any Georgians. My friend from US embassy in Moscow confirms that as the Georgian police has been fully funded and operated by US State Department it's been finally effective.

I am also surprised with the fact that The Economist placed Georgia into "Europe". As I remember, countries to the south from Caucasian mountains, like Turkey, Azerbaijan or Iran refer to Asia. The Economist isn't accurate, is it? Or may be, next time we'll read about "European" Iran?