Author Archives: Jesse Heath

USA Quietly Inches Closer to War with Russia

Posted on July 31, 2016

Over the past few years, the Obama administration has intentionally pursued a dramatic expansion of policies that the Russian government and military consider threatening to Russia’s national security. Curiously, the Obama administration launched some of the most concerning elements of … Continue reading →

Posted in russia

Russia’s New Old Anticorruption Campaign – “We’re serious this time!”

Posted on November 20, 2014

There’s an article on Bloomberg that caught my eye (h/t @agoodtreaty). The article claims that Pres. Putin approved the launch of a ‘new’ anticorruption campaign following a meeting at the Presidential residence in October. According to the article, this was ‘shocking’ … Continue reading →

Posted in bribes, bureaucracy, clans, corruption, criminal law

Russia Declares Open Season on American Brands

Posted on August 21, 2014

For Russians hoping to enjoy a Big Mac, America’s Favorite Fries, and wash down their meal with a Jack Daniels, the news is not good. In a thinly-veiled effort to retaliate against the United States for its Ukraine-related sanctions, Russian … Continue reading →

Posted in coca-cola, Cold War, duma, economics, extremism, film, Foreign direct investment, foreign investment, Government of Russia, internet, ldpr, nidan, Putin, sanctions, u.s.-russia relations

Putin’s Bad Month – How the Sanctions Are[n’t] Working

Posted on August 15, 2014

Will the history books view the shooting down of MH17 as a similarly crystallizing event like the assassination of Franz Ferdinand nearly 100 years before? Maybe (probably depends on whose books you will read). In any case, it is difficult … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic development, economics, Foreign direct investment, foreign investment, foreign policy, moscow, Novatek, oil, Putin, Rosneft, Russian economy

Strategic Sectors Law Update – First Commission Meeting of 2014

Posted on July 17, 2014

On June 26, 2014, PM Medvedev chaired the first 2014 meeting of the Commission on Foreign Investment. At the meeting, several deals were discussed/approved and amendments to the Strategic Sectors Law were discussed. According to public sources, the following deals … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Business and Economy, Dmitry Medvedev, economics, FAS, Foreign direct investment, foreign investment, Gazprombank, legal update, legislation, oil, pharma, russia, strategic industries