Die russländische Volkswirtschaft wurde durch die Finanzkrise stark getroffen. Der Kapitalabfluss ab Juli 2008 war äusserst stark, der Bankenmarkt war mit einer drastischen Liquiditätskrise konfrontiert und die im Ausland hoch verschuldeten Grossunternehmen waren starkem Druck der Gläubiger ausgesetzt. Der russländische Rubel kam unter starken Abwertungsdruck; allein im September und Oktober 2008 musste die Zentralbank 57.5 Mrd. USD zur Stützung der Währung aufwenden.

Russland war aber mit einer Doppelkrise konfrontiert. Zur Finanzkrise, die immer stärker auf die Realwirtschaft durchzuschlagen begann, kam ein starker Einnahmerückgang aus dem Export von … Continue Reading ››

At a meeting of Georgian parliament's 'Temporary Commission to study Russia's military aggression and other actions undertaken to infringe on Georgia's territorial integrity' on November 25th, 2008 Georgia's former ambassador to Russia, fired in September 2008 by President Saakashvilki, testified, that Georgian officials had told him back in April that they intended to start  war in Abkhazia. Furthermore, he alleged that the US had given a green light for military action. This was reported by the New York Times, November 26th, 2008. According to the BBC ambassador Kitsmarishvili … Continue Reading ››

Let me announce my new book 'Der russiche Phönix. Das Erbe aus der Asche' which will be published on March 5th, 2009. This book will examine the political, economic, financial and demografic development of Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It will cover both domestic politics and external relations.It aims to give a comprehensive overview of the major aspects of post-Soviet Russia, providing detailed accounts on the Putin and Medvedev presidencies. Buy it with amazon

Also next year, my book 'Power and Petroleum' will be … Continue Reading ››

Medvedev has announced to deploy Iskander (Искандер-М) short-range missiles in Kaliningrad. The purpose of these missiles is to target the BMD interceptors to be stationed in Poland based on a Polish-US agreement signed back in August (which has not yet been ratified, however). Die 9M72-Missile (NATO-Designation SS-26 Stone) is a powerful, solid fuel propelled short-range surface-to-surface missile, land-mobile with MAZ-543 trucks (with 2 Iskander missiles deployed on a truck) and can be fired quite fast (less than 8 minutes after warning). The missile’s … Continue Reading ››

Interim O.S.C.E. briefings in August and October 2008 have revealed that Georgian heavy artillery shelling of the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali starting at 11:30 p.m was indiscriminate. The O.S.C.E. observes including Polish, Belorussian and Finnish members, disputed the Georgian governments claim, that Georgia both responded to heavy separatist shelling of Georgian villages and conducted targeted attacks on Tskhinvali locations. Former British Army Captain Ryan Grist, head of the O.S.C.E. mission in Georgia reported: 'It was clear to me that the attack was completely indiscriminate and disproportionate to any, if indeed there had … Continue Reading ››