World News Insights
1-3 Minute Gist
Search, personalize, or simply browse. Follow the world around you from gist and context to insights.
Who we are | Our Credo | Ways of using Lyrarc | FAQ | Send Feedback | First Letter From the Editor
Sign up. It's free and easy to use
Create an account
to personalize your feed of articles and topics.
All Topics Article
This Is Just a Date, Not a Marriage
Keywords:
Tags:
A very relevant comment about the media coverage on Putin's negotiations in Beijing for supplying natural gas to China, by a reader of the WSJ, Frank Peel. He points out China and Russia do not share the same goals and Putin talked about the Chinese as tough negotiators after signing the deal. The price as a "commercial secret" is because its years, could be 5, before gas actually flows to China from Siberian fields. Russia, is a smaller oil based economy- having failed to make the transition to a diversified economy- and very susceptible to the economic conditions in Europe and the U.S., as the 2008 crisis showed with very steep drops in output. President Obama has also pointed to this. Russia also shares with Argentina the tendency for elites- in the case of Russia a newly created oligarchy of business interests under Putin and his predecessor- to shift capital out of the country, making it even more susceptible to loss of value of the currency, the ruble. Devaluation of the ruble experienced under Yeltsin was severely traumatic for Russia, and the head of Russia's central bank went on state television recently to reassure ordinary Russians that this would not happen. The rainy day sovereign fund of over $400 billion acts as a cushion for shocks in short periods, but sustained loss of foreign investment would damage prospects for future improvements in standards of living or economic growth.
Alexei Kudrin and other experts see the potential for a deep political and economic crisis in Russia 2011-2015
01/25/2008
Fears expressed by Kudrin and other experts at a Moscow conference about the impact of a recession in the eurozone and Greece's exit from the euro. Kudrin was a key figure in Russia anticipating and setting aside reserves in the sovereign fund to meet the adverse effects of the 2008 global financial crisis. The views expressed were that Russia's economy is shaky and could be seriously affected if European banks reduce their loans. Earlier he strongly opposed increases in military spending in a disagreement with prime minister Medvedev because of concerns about financial stability.
Grouped Articles
Ex-Aide to Medvedev and Putin Out at Kremlin
New York Times 05/08/2013
Putin Pledges Stimulus for Russian Economy
Wall Street Journal 06/21/2013
Russia's Growth Pace Continues to Weaken
Wall Street Journal 08/11/2013
Russia Looks to Borrow to Plug Funding Gap
Wall Street Journal 09/19/2013
Russia Is Facing Stagflation, Central Banker Says
Wall Street Journal 01/17/2014
Russia Prepared to Let Ruble Slide
Wall Street Journal 01/30/2014
Friedman on why Putin blinked when he realized the costs of impulsive emotional policy making for Russia's economy and his legacy of economic progress
05/27/2014
Putin's early reactions to Yakunovych, corruption and poor leadership in Ukraine, and anti-Russian feeling in western Ukraine, were emotional and impulsive. The Crimean takeover was perceived very differently and gained Putin poor media coverage in Germany after decades of effort in building German-Russian relations, surely not worth what was gained in Crimea. The capital outflows estimated to reach $160 billion at one point and the damage to foreign investment sentiment at a time of sharp economic slowdown must rate as one of the poorest displays of policy making, when Russian speaking Ukrainians could be protected without damaging Russia's image and relations with western partners. Relationships needed for modernization of what is still an emerging market in a global economy. Even in a multipolar economic world with China, Russia playing a bigger role, other competing players Japan and India, would dilute any influence gained by China, and by Russia, and no change in the global economy. A more serious effort would be for Putin to have pushed to give Russia a more effective economic role by diversifying to a tech based economy, away from oil, something that still awaits Russia under some future leadership and party.
Grouped Articles
New York Times 05/27/2014
This Is Just a Date, Not a Marriage
Wall Street Journal 06/03/2014
Tensions Are Writ Large Before Ukraine Showdown
Wall Street Journal 07/07/2014
Seeing Cost of Saber Rattling in Ukraine, Putin Alters Course
New York Times 07/11/2014
Raising Stakes on Russia, U.S. Adds Sanctions
New York Times 07/16/2014
Wall Street Journal 07/22/2014
Medvedev's vision for Russia attacking systemic corruption, "primitive" resource based economy, and lack of pluralistic democracy.
01/05/2009
Medvedev looks at Russia today with dismay and positions himself as a reformer.
Grouped Articles
Washington Post 05/09/2013
Ex-Aide to Medvedev and Putin Out at Kremlin
New York Times 05/08/2013
Mayor's Rival Contests Moscow Vote Result
Wall Street Journal 09/09/2013
Vladimir Putin returns to Russian presidency weaker than when he left it - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/06/2012
Medvedev Chooses Critic for an Interview Debut
Wall Street Journal 04/15/2009
This Is Just a Date, Not a Marriage
Wall Street Journal 06/03/2014
The impact of the Ukraine crisis on the Russian economy in 2014 with western sanctions
08/11/2013
Grouped Articles
Russia's Power Play Hits Economic Weak Spot
Wall Street Journal 03/04/2014
As Prime Russian Trading Partner, Germany Appears Crucial to Ending Crisis
New York Times 03/03/2014
The World's Riskiest Stock Market?
Wall Street Journal 03/22/2014
Russia Says It Has Weathered the Worst of the Economic Storm
Wall Street Journal 04/03/2014
Russia's Growth Pace Continues to Weaken
Wall Street Journal 08/11/2013
Russia Plotting for Ukrainian Influence, Not Invasion, Analysts Say
New York Times 04/09/2014
Gates and Albright's hopes and plans for a new era in Russian-American relations
01/05/2009
Gates and Albright see a new era of Russian-American relations and President Medvedev of Russian shares the same hopes.
Grouped Articles
This Is Just a Date, Not a Marriage
Wall Street Journal 06/03/2014
Pentagon Chief Sees Opportunities In Russia and the War on Terrorism
Washington Post 01/05/2009
Foreign Affairs 01/05/2009
Obama Offered Deal to Russia in Secret Letter
New York Times 03/03/2009
Dmitry A. Medvedev - Russia's President on Building Russian-U.S. Bonds
Washington Post 03/31/2009
Promises of ‘Fresh Start’ for U.S.-Russia Relations
New York Times 04/02/2009
The U.S., European Union, and Russia- an Alternate View for 2014-2016
01/05/2009
Former Defense Secretary Gates offers an alternate view of U.S. and EU relations with Russia. His comments about Georgia could apply to Crimea in 2014.
Grouped Articles
Pentagon Chief Sees Opportunities In Russia and the War on Terrorism
Washington Post 01/05/2009
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
New York Times 04/19/2014
U.S.-Russia Relations Come Full Circle After Ukraine
Wall Street Journal 04/21/2014
Promises of ‘Fresh Start’ for U.S.-Russia Relations
New York Times 04/02/2009
Wall Street Journal 04/28/2014
This Is Just a Date, Not a Marriage
Wall Street Journal 06/03/2014
The 2013 agreement that sets the stage for China to become the leading importer of natural gas and oil from Russia
03/23/2013
Grouped Articles
In Reversal, Neighbors Squeeze Russia's Gazprom Over Natural-Gas Prices
Wall Street Journal 05/02/2013
Middle East Oil Fuels Fresh China-U.S. Tensions
Wall Street Journal 10/10/2013
Is the Russia-China Gas Deal for Real- Or Just Fumes
BusinessWeek 05/22/2014
China, Russia sign $400 billion gas deal - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/22/2014
Russian Gas Deal Gives China the Edge
Wall Street Journal 05/22/2014
China and Russia Reach 30-Year Gas Deal
New York Times 05/21/2014
Emerging Markets Financial Crisis in 2014 and 1997- the difference in 2014 is less contagion as investors look at individual countries
01/09/2009
The current account deficits are high in Thailand and Turkey, and this is coupled wth political uncertainty. Argentina faces high inflation at over 20%. Investors have focussed on Argentina and Turkey. Countries that failed to learn from the 1997 crisis such as Argentina, Turkey and Thailand, are seen in a different light from Mexico and Poland. India faces inflation of about 10%. Other countries affected are Russia, Brazil and South Africa. Most of the countries have flexible exchange rates in 2014 compared to fixed exchange rates in 1997, and higher dollar reserves in 2014 which helps cushion the effects of overseas borrowing. The effects on Europe and the U.S. in 2014 are seen as limited to how this affects the global economy.
Grouped Articles
Emerging-Market Slide Tests How Much Nations Learned From Past
Wall Street Journal 01/30/2014
Russia Prepared to Let Ruble Slide
Wall Street Journal 01/30/2014
Selloff's Spread to Europe Is Sign of Broad Fear
Wall Street Journal 01/31/2014
Economic Turbulence Chips at Support for Turkish Premier
Wall Street Journal 01/31/2014
Red Alert on Russia Is Premature
Wall Street Journal 02/03/2014
Brazil Tries to Borrow Its Way to Prosperity
Wall Street Journal 02/10/2014
Medvedev's views and plans for Russia's future.
07/13/2006
Interviews and other information about Medvedev's approach to issues facing Russia, from developing an economy based on innovation, to nuclear weapons free world and relations with the USA and Europe.
Grouped Articles
Ex-Aide to Medvedev and Putin Out at Kremlin
New York Times 05/08/2013
This Is Just a Date, Not a Marriage
Wall Street Journal 06/03/2014
Nuclear weapons: The new nuclear age
Economist 04/05/2015
Excerpts From an Interview With Dmitri A. Medvedev
New York Times 12/11/2007
New York Times 12/11/2007
Wall Street Journal 02/28/2008
Russia's finance minister, Alexei Kudrin, and Russia's finances
01/25/2008
Kudrin on higher military spending of 3% of Russia's GDP, exceeding the amount spent on education. He sees this as endangering Russia's finances. Kudrin's focus on building the Russian Stabilization Fund helped Russia weather the 2008 global financial crisis. He is one of the St Petersburg officials who helped bring Putin to the Presidency. A slowing economy and a decline in oil prices would have an impact on the Russian economy. Analysts say Russia needs an oil price of $120 to support the current level of spending.
Grouped Articles
Putin Pledges Stimulus for Russian Economy
Wall Street Journal 06/21/2013
Russia Looks to Borrow to Plug Funding Gap
Wall Street Journal 09/19/2013
Russia Prepared to Let Ruble Slide
Wall Street Journal 01/30/2014
Red Alert on Russia Is Premature
Wall Street Journal 02/03/2014
Russia's Power Play Hits Economic Weak Spot
Wall Street Journal 03/04/2014
Russia Economy Worsens Even Before Sanctions Hit
New York Times 04/16/2014
A look back and insights from former U.S. Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, about Russia and Islamic terrorism not being the threats the way they are perceived
01/05/2009
A detailed look at Russia and Islamic terrorism from Gates that provides perspective and insights beyond the daily headlines about Russia (Georgia, then Crimea) and Islamic terrorists (in Iraq and the Middle East). Two critical points made by Gates about Russia- Russia lacks the capabilities it once had, and the demographics in Russia of a declining population which limit its influence. He sees Georgia, (and possibly Crimea) in the light of Russia exorcizing past humiliations something that Putin has repeatedly referred to in his speeches. The perspective also opens up thinking about what to look for in the future including surprises around the corner. By 2014 for example relations between countries in Asia had deteriorated regarding island disputes.
Grouped Articles
Pentagon Chief Sees Opportunities In Russia and the War on Terrorism
Washington Post 01/05/2009
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
New York Times 04/19/2014
U.S.-Russia Relations Come Full Circle After Ukraine
Wall Street Journal 04/21/2014
Promises of ‘Fresh Start’ for U.S.-Russia Relations
New York Times 04/02/2009
Former Defense Secretary Gates Is Elected President of the Boy Scouts
New York Times 05/22/2014
This Is Just a Date, Not a Marriage
Wall Street Journal 06/03/2014
How the West sees Russian intervention in Ukraine and the takeover of the Crimea
01/05/2009
The views of former Defense Secretary Gates, president Obama, and others.
Grouped Articles
Wall Street Journal 03/26/2014
Pride, Prejudice and Putin's Predation
Wall Street Journal 03/26/2014
Russia Plotting for Ukrainian Influence, Not Invasion, Analysts Say
New York Times 04/09/2014
Pentagon Chief Sees Opportunities In Russia and the War on Terrorism
Washington Post 01/05/2009
New York Times 05/27/2014
‘America Must Always Lead,’ Obama Tells West Point Graduates
New York Times 05/28/2014
The Alternate View about U.S. and EU relations with Russia from Gates and German opinion
01/05/2009
An alternate view about U.S. and EU relations with Russia from former Defense Secretary Gates and German public opinion which looks at Georgia, Crimea, Ukraine, in the larger context of the postwar years beyond todays headlines.
Grouped Articles
Pentagon Chief Sees Opportunities In Russia and the War on Terrorism
Washington Post 01/05/2009
Twin Shocks Shake Foundation of German Power
New York Times 04/18/2014
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
New York Times 04/19/2014
U.S.-Russia Relations Come Full Circle After Ukraine
Wall Street Journal 04/21/2014
Promises of ‘Fresh Start’ for U.S.-Russia Relations
New York Times 04/02/2009
New York Times 05/05/2014
The 2014 Russia-China Natural Gas Agreement
05/21/2014
Questions about the price agreed to betwen the two countries. Price remains hazy and it appears no ageement was reached on price, say analysts.
Grouped Articles
Is the Russia-China Gas Deal for Real- Or Just Fumes
BusinessWeek 05/22/2014
China, Russia sign $400 billion gas deal - The Washington Post
Washington Post 05/22/2014
Russian Gas Deal Gives China the Edge
Wall Street Journal 05/22/2014
China and Russia Reach 30-Year Gas Deal
New York Times 05/21/2014
This Is Just a Date, Not a Marriage
Wall Street Journal 06/03/2014
New Russia-China Deal Could Further Hit Natural-Gas Prices
Wall Street Journal 11/11/2014
We took a different way to help millions around the world build educated informed mindsets that affects and shapes their lives. For a future that is open, global and digital, with everyone having access to high quality information. We believe in the renewal of America, renewal of Europe, the renewal of India, the rest of Asia, Latin America and Africa. The renewal of our supply chains, health, education, infrastructure, as we rebuild our countries after the pandemic. Literacy and knowledge we believe cannot thrive and grow in a world of web bots, web crawlers, or AI. This requires human curiosity, human learning, and human imagination. We take as inspiration the saying- “One has to be free, and as broad as sky. One has to have a mind that is crystal clear, only then can truth shine in it.” Every contribution whether big or small is precious- in this crisis and ahead.
Support Lyrarc from as small as $1
Terms and Conditions | Copyright Policy | Privacy Policy | Contact Us