By Trudy Rubin | Philadelphia Inquirer PUBLISHED: July 30, 2018 at 12:45 pm | UPDATED: July 30, 2018 at 12:49 pm By Trudy RubinPhiladelphia Inquirer August is supposed to be the month you manage a vacation escape from the real or surreal world, including Trumpmania. But for those who can’t let go and still schlep wonky books to the beach, here are my picks for relevant reading this summer, with a focus on democracy, Russia – and Shakespeare. If the subject matter seems too depressing, you can always retreat to your favorite mystery novel. Given the state of the world and our country, you may want to read on. Because readers often ask me what to read about Vladimir Putin’s Russia and/or election meddling, here’s a Russia list that goes beyond the headlines. – “Nothing is True and Everything Is Possible: The Surreal Heart of the New Russia,” by Peter Pomerantsev. This 2014 book (out in paperback) by a Russian-born British journalist reads like … [Read more...] about Rubin: Gripping summer reads on Putin’s Russia, election meddling
Sanctions russia list
Putin appears to be targeting US officials who worked to sanction Russia
Carol Morello, Tom Hamburger and John Hudson, The Washington Post Published 11:27 am PDT, Thursday, July 19, 2018 Almost from the day he arrived in Moscow as the U.S. ambassador in 2012, Michael McFaul and his family were subjected to a campaign of surveillance and harassment. According to McFaul's book, "From Cold War to Hot Peace," Russian authorities followed him to his son's soccer game and outings to McDonald's. They trailed his children's bus to school, and sat behind the family at church. They slashed the tires of an embassy staffer's car, and broke into the homes of other employees. Embassy security officials advised McFaul that there was only one secure room at the embassy that he and his wife should use if they ever quarreled, because everywhere else was monitored by the Russian government. Now, McFaul is one of 11 U.S. citizens a Russian prosecutor wants to question in connection with an investigation that many U.S. officials say is bogus. The list is … [Read more...] about Putin appears to be targeting US officials who worked to sanction Russia
Trump touches off new Russia controversy – and prompts new clarification
close Video Sanders denies Trump said Russia is no longer targeting US White House on President Trump's comments about Russia meddling in U.S. elections. President Trump, just as he was moving to quell the raging controversy over his press conference with Vladimir Putin, touched off a new one Wednesday when he appeared to deny Russia is still targeting the U.S. – prompting another White House clarification. Trump made the comment at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Asked if Russia is still targeting the country, he said, “No.” This led to a new wave of condemnations from Democratic lawmakers, who cited his own national intelligence director's warnings to the contrary. But White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, during a contentious press briefing, sought to tamp down controversy yet again -- chalking up the furor to another misunderstanding. She claimed the president was actually saying “no” to answering more questions, not to … [Read more...] about Trump touches off new Russia controversy – and prompts new clarification
Trump slams Russia probe and blames U.S. for bad relations with Putin as the Helsinki summit
By Eli Stokols and Sabra Ayres HELSINKI, Finland — President Donald Trump slammed the special counsel’s investigation into his campaign’s possible election collusion with Russia during a stunning news conference Monday alongside President Vladimir Putin, and he blamed the United States for relations with Moscow that he said have “never been worse.” When Trump was asked by a U.S. reporter whether he believes Putin, who again denied Russian interference in the 2016 election, or his own intelligence officials, who unanimously say Russia did intervene for Trump, Trump replied by criticizing the FBI’s probe of Democrats and said, “I don’t see any reason why” Russia would interfere. More than once he condemned the probe of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, which on Friday brought indictments of 12 Russian intelligence officials, calling it “a disaster for our country.” Trump spoke yet again about his clear Electoral … [Read more...] about Trump slams Russia probe and blames U.S. for bad relations with Putin as the Helsinki summit
Russian Billionaires Are Richer Than Ever Despite U.S. Sanctions
World Russia sanctions Russia’s richest citizens have increased their wealth by billions of dollars since the beginning of 2018, despite U.S. sanctions. The 24 richest oligarchs in the nation have managed to expand their wealth by a combined $10 billion, regardless of being included on a list by the U.S. Treasury Department earlier this year that suggested they be directly targeted with sanctions, according to data from the Bloomberg Billionaire Index. However, another 13 Russian billionaires have also seen their wealth crumble by a combined $7 billion since the start of the year, The Moscow Times reported. At the same time, despite some billionaires losing, the richest have remained on top and managed to make significant financial gains. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with journalists shortly after his annual televised phone-in with the nation in Moscow on June 7. The 24 richest oligarchs in Russia have managed to expand their wealth by a combined $10 … [Read more...] about Russian Billionaires Are Richer Than Ever Despite U.S. Sanctions