After the Revolution

In a flurry of acronyms, the U.S. and the U.K. supported Georgia at the U.N. this week in the Abkhazia dispute.
Russia withdrew trade sanctions against the breakaway republic last week.
The United States and Britain criticized the move, saying it opened up the possibility of weapons trade.
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili will discuss the issue with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon […]

[Read more →]

The breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia have already invited the whole gang to their international recognition party. (No RSVPs yet.)
But that doesn’t stop Russia from warning Georgia that what will really set the two provinces on an independence rampage is Georgia’s intention to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
According to an article from the BBC, Russia’s NATO ambassador […]

[Read more →]

The hunger strike [see previous post] Georgian opposition leaders promised last month, postponed due to lack of interest, is back on.
Five politicians announced today they would start their fast to protest the recent presidential election in Georgia.
According to an article from Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, opposition leader Levan Gachechiladze compared the renewed protest to November demonstrations that brought the capital to […]

[Read more →]

It seems Vladimir Putin was right. Then again, as illustrated by Russia’s recent presidential election, he’s not averse to stacking the cards to prove his point.
Yesterday the parliament of Abkhazia, one of Georgia’s two breakaway republics, declared its independence to the international community.
The day before, Russia had announced it would lift trade restrictions to the province.
Wouldn’t you know it, […]

[Read more →]

Throw that blanket back off; the second round of the Russia-Ukraine gas fights ended today.
But there is so much more to this than just a spat over a utility bill.
According to an article in the Financial Times:
[T]he Russians do not regard Ukraine as a serious independent country and the Ukrainians do not regard the Russians as trustworthy […]

[Read more →]

I love it. The BBC posted a 357-word guide to pronouncing two words: Dmitry Medvedev.
It’s a name that’s been tripping some high-power lips, as Medvedev just took Vladimir Putin’s place (in name, at least) as Russian president.
Not sure how to say it? See Hillary Clinton give it a try here.
The BBC’s recommendation:
DMEET-ri muhd-VYED-uhff; -uh as in the; -vy as […]

[Read more →]

Toss on another blanket; the gas fights are back.
State-owned Russian gas company Gazprom has cut gas supplies to Ukraine in half over the past two days.
Gazprom says Ukraine has not paid $1.5 billion in gas bills.
Ukraine’s gas company, Naftogaz, says Ukraine has made most of the payments but can’t complete the rest because Russia and Ukraine’s intermediary gas trading company has yet […]

[Read more →]

Last week I filmed a “How To” video at Argo Georgian Bakery on Devon Avenue in Chicago.
Devon is one of the most diverse stretches of road in the city. I stumbled upon the Georgian bakery amidst Russian bookstores, Indian beauty salons and kosher restaurants.
When traditional Georgian bread is baked, it is stuck to the side of a round oven […]

[Read more →]