1. Russia Post soviet Russia Part II: ~21 st C

2. Russian Government Today  Executive President: Two consecutive four-year terms; BUT in 2008, the constitution was amended to allow presidents to serve two consecutive six-year terms, to be effective from 2012amended Prime Minister: has a role similar to Vice President in US  Legislative Bicameral Federal Assembly  Sovet Federatsii (168 seats)  State Duma (450 seats)  Judicial Judges appointed for life Seal of Russia’s Government

3. Joke #1  Putin and Bush are fishing on the Volga River. After half an hour, Bush complains, “Vladimir, I’m getting bitten like crazy by mosquitoes, but I haven’t seen a single one bothering you.” Putin: “They know better than that.”

4. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin  Elected in March 2000 The era of huge leaps and reversals “is over”. “It is time to understand that prolonged and hard work lies ahead. Our main problems are far too deep to be solved in one stroke.” United Russia Party  Re-elected March 2004 with 70% of the vote  Russian constitution allows only 2 terms in office Putin stepped down March, 2008 Putin became Prime Minister Amended constitution on term limits (in effect 2012)  His nominated ‘successor’, Dmitri Medvedev, won Russian election Russian White house: (For Federal Assembly)

5. Joke #2  Putin goes to a restaurant with Medvedev and orders a steak. The waiter asks, “And what about the vegetable?” Putin answers, “the vegetable will have steak too.”

7. Medvedev.  Dmitry Medvedev was sworn in as president in May 2008  The chosen successor of former president Vladimir Putin, Mr Medvedev won just over 70% of the vote in presidential elections held in March.  He conducted a fairly low-key campaign, but received generous media coverage and was always the clear favourite to win.  He said there would be little change in Russia's foreign policy. In August 2008, he showed that he was determined to maintain the assertive stance set by his mentor when, in the wake of the conflict between Russia and Georgia, he declared that Russia did not want a new Cold War but was not afraid of one either.little change in Russia's foreign policy  However, a more liberal side has also been evident. In April 2009, he said in an interview with one of the last media outlets critical of the Kremlin, the Novaya Gazeta daily, that democracy should not be compromised for the sake of prosperity.  Mr Medvedev is a lawyer by training and managed Mr Putin's presidential election campaign in 2000.  He subsequently worked as chairman of Gazprom and as first deputy prime minister in charge of social programmes.

8. Joke #3  Stalin’s ghost appears to Putin in a dream and Putin asks for his help running the country. Stalin says, “Round up and shoot all the democrats, and then paint the inside of the Kremlin blue.” “Why blue?” Putin asks. “Ha!” Says Stalin. “I knew you wouldn’t ask me about the first part.”

9. Putin: The Man, The Myth  Is Putin restricting democracy? Like Egypt? Gorbachev turns 80 Elections***  Economy improved drastically under Putin 7% annual increase Financial crisis?  Reporters and dissidents killed? KGB old boys tightening grip on Russia KGB old boys tightening grip on Russia Human rights  Chechnya? History on Chechnya breakaway region History on Chechnya breakaway region Beslan School Umarov warns of Absolute war! Umarov warns of Absolute war! Chechen jihad?

10. Energy  Putin’s new friend Bulgarian pipeline deal  Gazprom  Def: One of the world's largest gas companies. The Russian government owns approximately half of the company. Its board of directors contains a number of government officials; the most recent chairman was Dmitry Medvedev. is the nationalized natural gas company of the Former Soviet Union, and the biggest supplier of natural gas in the world. Gazprom taking over the world Gazprom Gazprom VS the UKRAINE (q & a) Gazprom(q & a) Monopoly?  Poland insists Gazprom lower prices Poland insists Gazprom lower prices  Lithuania demands fair price from Gazprom Lithuania demands fair price from Gazprom  Transparency? Transparency?

11. Russia & USA Today  Start I & a new Start Start I new Start  UN Iran Sanctions…Iran Sanctions Russia on board?on board  Two countries have held out against imposing sanctions on Iran: Russia and China. Neither has been prepared to jeopardize its lucrative trade and business relations with Tehran, and both like the idea of the United States being either preoccupied with developments in Iran or humbled by Iranian intransigence. Washington's need to win over Moscow and Beijing has also increased their leverage over the U.S. on other issues.  Why Russia and China Joined on Iran Sanctions Why Russia and China Joined on Iran Sanctions  Bushehr Setbacks Trigger Iranian Nuclear-Safety Concerns Bushehr Setbacks Trigger Iranian Nuclear-Safety Concerns  Will Russia accept a US defense deal?US defense deal

12. ELECTION:  Russia’s Presidential Elections Explained Explained  Moscow protesters explain their positionexplain  Google new search…search  Russia May Actually Be Getting Less Corrupt... for the Wrong Reasonsfor the Wrong Reasons  BACK BACK

13. Pussy Riot (Punk Band) 2 years in prison 2 years in prison  Russian court sentences Pussy Riot rockers to 2 years in prison2 years in prison Video I've received death threats I've received death threats  Member of Russian punk rock band Pussy Riot: I've received death threatsI've received death threats  Back Back