Christmas in Bangkok

current events

The Thai people, I’m told, Like holidays— All sorts of holidays: Chinese, Buddhists, Christian; All great occasions To decorate the monster shopping malls. Downtown, on Plenchit Street, In a restaurant where I eat lunch— Shrimp with cashew nuts, Diet Coke with ice;...

Gary Kasparov Acquitted, Judge Ekaterina Veklich Upends Russian Tradition

current events, Russia

Gary Kasparov (I couldn’t find any photos of Judge Veklich, who deserves to be remembered)On Friday, something very unusual happened in Moscow. The former chess champion Gary Kasparov was acquitted of charges of “participation in an unsanctioned political...

Russian Business Ethics

current events, history, Russia

The state of business ethics is rather low in The Estate of Wormwood and Honey. Is it a realistic portrayal of 19th century Russia? I think so. The great economic historian of Russia, Alexander Gerschenkron, thought so too.Actually, the best document of the abysmal...

Asylum Seekers Throughout History

current events, history

We are presented with the strange spectacle of Julian Assange seeking and receiving asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. Is it out of fear of Swedish justice or out of desire for publicity?Here are some other famous instances of asylum seekers in history:In...

Russian Protests, then and now

current events, history, Russia

When men fail, can a handful of women succeed? Yes, we are talking about political change in Russia and yes, we are provoked, as we were meant to be, by the “Pussy Riot” anti-Putin demonstration at the Cathedral of the Christ the Savior in Moscow.The Decembrist...