hardball

Even within the conservative punditocracy, President Bush's diplomatic tour of Europe last week received mixed marks. At NRO on Friday, Denis Boyles pronounced the President's efforts charmless; in the next column over, Larry Kudlow judged the trip a smashing success.... [read more]

Ukraine looks West

As expected, Viktor Yushchenko has won the (latest) presidential election in Ukraine. [I]nternational observers praised the conduct of Sunday's re-run vote, held after the second round was annulled over ballot-rigging. With nearly all votes counted, Mr Yushchenko has an eight-point... [read more]

Russia and Ukraine, II

Several days back, reader TomBombadil posted a few questions which led to an unplanned Russia Week here at andúnië.net. I all but exhausted my knowledge of the subject here. Master Bombadil then followed up with a veritable essay of his... [read more]

the headless horseman of the Near Abroad

Ever noticed how NY Timesmen are suckers for strained metaphors? In these long winter nights, a headless horseman is roaming Russia's “near abroad,” threatening independent countries and raising fears of a renewed cold war. This specter is Vladimir Putin. Let's... [read more]

Russia and Ukraine

It's safe to assume that now, and for the forseeable future, Vladimir Putin is Russia. He remains wildly popular at home—even after a string of terror attacks that, had they occurred here, might well have gotten the Bush Administration voted out for incompetence. [read more]

lamentation

A voice is heard in Ramah, Lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel is weeping for her children; She refuses to be comforted for her children, Because they are no more. [read more]

when cowards attack

Here is the latest example of the tactics of the Islamofascists: A siege at a school in south Russia has continued into the night, with armed attackers holding at least 200 people hostage, many of them children. Several people... [read more]