The SRAS Newsletter
A Resource for Students, Educators, and Anyone Curious about Russia
MICEX traders working on one of the several
days that federal regulators shut down the
exchange to avoid further falls and panic. |
Welcome from SRAS!
It seems the entire world is in upheaval. August's Caucasus Conflict continues to play a role in redefining Russia's foreign relations, especially with the US. Russia has drawn up treaties with two states that few others recognize (South Ossetia and Abkhazia) and has worked for closer ties with two states that the US considers hostile (Venezuela and Cuba). More recently, the financial crisis that is now deepening and sweeping Asia and Europe has also hit Russia. Stocks have plummeted, major investment firms have sought capital infusions and culled employees, and the government has spent billions to try to avert disaster.
This month's SRAS newsletter takes a wide angle on these events, with information about the Russian financial crisis, commodities, and investment abroad. Our mini-lesson covers stock market terms. We offer a second installment of our South Ossetia Obzor, interviews with Georgia's President and Russia's Foreign Minister and an obzor dedicated to examining Russia's military. On the lighter side of things, you'll find a new original article on Irkutsk, and discover that Sylvester Stallone is claiming roots in Russia. If you have views or material you would like to contribute to the newsletter, please contact us. To subscribe to this free newsletter, send an email with "Subscribe SRAS" in the subject field to jwilson@sras.org. News and Announcements 
Applications for most of our spring study abroad programs are due October 16th! Applications for the SRAS Work Study Program and for The Charles Braver Language Exploration Grant are set at October 16th. Applications for SRAS's new Translation Work Study Program are due October 20th. SRAS's new Business Work Study and Journalism Work Study are both due October 25th! Bloomberg has an entry-level, Moscow-based position open. The latest issue of Kultura examines Russia's library system and the way it reflects and affects Russian society. Russia has declassified documents relating to the Munich Agreement of 1938. See this report from Kommersant for more details. Academic Studies Press has announced several new topics on Slavic culture and literature. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Обзоры: Learn About Russia and Eurasia through the News | These news reviews strive to paint an accurate and balanced picture of life in Russia and to deliver information on important events affecting Eurasia that do not receive heavy coverage in the Western news. **Note: we expect to our regular line-up of obzori next month! | Russian Military
The special edition obzor looks at the current state of the Russian military and military-industrial complex. Ukraine in Transition
Our regular Eurasia Obzor is replaced by this PBN overview of the latest Ukrainian political crisis, which may shift Europe's largest country to a more pro-Western or pro-Russian stance. Politics
Death of the Agrarian Party, new leader for Yabloko, party for Nashi, and major spending programs. Also: Relations with West.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Dealing With Crisis: US vs. Russia
Stock markets the world over have experienced a crush of losses and all-around volatility in recent days. Here we look at two of the most dramatic markets where views of business and government could not be more different.
SMEs in Russia and China
Hongda Jiang and Maxim Bolotinsky served as interns with Alinga Consulting Group (in partnership with SRAS) in Moscow this summer. As part of that internship, they produced this overview of the status of small and medium sized enterprises in Russia and China. It's also available in Russian translation. Russian Steel Buys American
Russian steelmakers have, since 2006, made a major push to buy increase their production capacity inside the US. This update to our library entry on Russian Resources and Extraction gives a brief overview of the major investments made to date. Russian Energy Efficiency (pdf)
This issue of the Russian Analytical Digest features articles about the challenges and problems of increasing energy efficiency in Russia such as renewable energy sources, ways to improve energy efficiency, and how Russia compares with Europe. BOFIT Forecast for Russia 2008-2010 (pdf)
Finland's Central Bank produces twice-yearly forecasts for Russian economic growth. Their latest edition was published on September 11th and predicted overall growth would be maintained at 8% for 2008 on the back of high commodity prices. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Work Study: Translation
Earn $500 (or more!) plus discounted tuition while getting professional translation experience in a Russian office.  SRAS has a full rage of study programs. Click here!
Work Study: Business
Earn $500 plus discounted tuition while working directly with the top management of a successful mid-sized firm in Moscow. Work Study: Journalism
Work, research, and report for Moscow's largest English-language daily newspaper. Discounted tuition and a scholarship to be dispersed as the internship progresses are available. Scholarships and Grants
An updated list of current Russia-related scholarship cycles. Thousands of dollars are available for study abroad. Deadlines are near! Destination: Irkutsk
Long a place associated with Siberian exiles, Irkutsk is now striving to become a major transport hub and tourist destination.  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Ossetia Obzor - II
This second installment of our special edition obzor examines the developments surrounding the conflict in the Caucasus over the past month.
US-Russia Relations: The Longer View
With US-Russia relations at a crossroads, several former ambassadors to Russia and the United States met to discuss how the two nations might move forward. The Charlie Rose Show: Mikhail Saakashvili
A conversation with President of Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili from the 24th of September. The Charlie Rose Show: Sergei Lavrov
A conversation with Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, from the 25th of September. US-Russia Relations in the Aftermath of the Georgia Crisis
More than four hours of streaming coverage of the House committee meeting from 9 Sept. 2008. The sound quality is not great, but it's worth watching.  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sylvester Stallone... is Russian?! (pdf)
This ad for Russian Ice vodka (водка "Русский лёд") seems to be selling its product by in part implying that it can compete abroad – if only for star power in its advertisements.
RSL and Russian Studies Semester
SRAS offers expanded opportunities in Moscow! While regular RSL is limited at Moscow State University to summer enrollment only, we now offer Russian language study at GRINT Center for Education - with optional subject-area classes and work-study options! Фондовый рынок - The Stock Market
This month's mini-lesson Russia focuses on Russian terms frequently in the Russian news today. | 
