Microsoft Suffers Major Setback in Russia

In a major victory for the Linux operating system, Russia has mandated that all Russian schools will be using open source software by 2009. Open source is indeed a great learning environment and it is unfortunate that students here in the US continue to have their educations dumbed down by being forced to use Windows … Continue reading Microsoft Suffers Major Setback in Russia

World Affairs Council Hosts Russian Dmitri Trenin

On Friday September 21 at the University Club in Portland, Oregon the World Affairs Council of Oregon hosted Dmitri Trenin, a frequent guest on NPR, and leading expert on Russian US Relations. Trenin gave a fascinating 90 minute talk, including answering several questions. He highlighted that Putin has an 80 percent approval rating and added … Continue reading World Affairs Council Hosts Russian Dmitri Trenin

Putin Sets Stage for Energy Sales in Russian Rubles

Russia now conducts most of its energy sales in US dollars and this has greatly benefited Europe in the form of lower energy costs as the dollar has depreciated. The declining dollar may also explain why Europe and other big purchasers of energy have not pushed to have more energy sales in Euros, which would … Continue reading Putin Sets Stage for Energy Sales in Russian Rubles