Civil Activism: Are Russians Exiting the Soviet Eclipse?

The Christian Science Monitor ^ | Aug. 7, 2017 | Fred Weir

[Jagermonster]

MOSCOW—For the past four years, Oksana Dubinina has been working with stray animals, particularly the estimated 30,000 homeless dogs who roam the streets of Moscow.

She's put together a group of a few dozen volunteers, who manage to get by on crowdfunding, with which they provide shelter, training, and veterinary services for about 40 dogs annually. They have forged ties with local orphanages, schools, hospices, and nursing homes, and bring dogs to foster mutual comfort and companionship. Sometimes, a dog finds a permanent placement. Ms. Dubinina calls the project “Friend for a Friend.”

This may sound unremarkable. But in Russia, where taking any kind of grassroots initiative is a whole new thing, it is a significant accomplishment.

Statistics show, and activists affirm, that people in their local communities are increasingly identifying problems and appointing themselves to address them – something virtually unheard of in the past. That includes raising funds and forming constructive relationships with local institutions.

To be sure, authorities in many places remain suspicious and unwelcoming of even the most apolitical activities. And the Kremlin has cracked down hard on politically active nongovernmental groups that receive foreign funding.

[Jagermonster]

Excerpted per rules.

Interesting story on how Russians are beginning to move away from the notion that the state needs to run everything.

[dfwgator]

Interesting story on how Russians are beginning to move away from the notion that the state needs to run everything.

Meanwhile, we seem to be heading in the opposite direction.

[ETL]

Yeah, Russia has really reversed course since the days of the evil empire/Soviet Union.

How Russia arms America's southern neighbors

Ioan Grillo
May 9, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Russia's push into Ukraine has put many on edge. But less known is that Russia is also strengthening its military links south of the Rio Grande and re-establishing itself as a power in the region.

Vladimir Putin has been strengthening military links here, and Russia is now the largest arms dealer to governments in Latin America, surpassing the United States.

Russia has even floated the possibility of building new military bases in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, and putting its warships permanently in the Caribbean.

In the midst of the Ukraine crisis, Russia's top diplomat Sergei Lavrov recently visited Cuba, Peru, Chile, and Nicaragua, where he announced that Russia would also pour money into the new Central American canal project. ..."

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/140508/russian-arms-military-trade-latin-america
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Russia Boosts Arms, Training for Leftist Latin Militaries

Moscow defense minister inks deals with Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua for joint exercises

BY: Bill Gertz
February 20, 2015

Russia agreed to provide military training for three leftist regimes in Latin America and increase military visits and exercises following a visit last week to the region by Moscow's Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu, Pentagon officials said.

Shoygu met with defense and military leaders in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua and signed several agreements on warship visits and military training during the visit, which ran from Feb. 11 to 14. It is not clear whether any new arms deals were completed during the visit.

Defense officials said the Russian leader is seeking bases in the region for strategic bomber flights that Shoygu recently promised would include flights over the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.

http://freebeacon.com/national-security/russia-boosts-arms-training-for-leftist-latin-militaries/

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Russia and North Korea declare 2015 a ‘year of friendship’

“The biggest cause for concern is the growing military alliance between Russia and North Korea, with the two regimes recently announcing plans to conduct a series of joint army, navy and air force exercises this year.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/11463265/Russia-and-North-Korea-declare-2015-a-year-of-friendship.html

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Russia steps up North Korea support to constrain US

May 17, 2017

“Despite efforts by the United Nations to impose isolating sanctions on North Korea in response to the country’s continued development of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles, trade between Russia and North Korea soared more than 85 percent in the first four months of the year.”

http://www.dw.com/en/russia-steps-up-north-korea-support-to-constrain-us/a-38867861

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Aug 2015

[Jagermonster]

The article I posted is about the Russian people - growing numbers of them are less inclined to expect the government to run everything. Th article I posted also shows how much the Russian government still wants to control everything. That is no surprise.

[ETL]

Yes, I realized that. Just wanted to point out some of what they are up to these days. Because there are more than a few here who stupidly/ignorantly believe that they are the good guys in the world today.

[Psalm 144]

“Interesting story on how Russians are beginning to move away from the notion that the state needs to run everything.”

The Russians are reverting to their historical norms. Lots of skepticism, doggedness, and small scale, proactive local improvements. The kiosks which sprang up like mushrooms and got bulldozed at night every once in a while were an example. The independence and interdependence of the village is ingrained in Russians. The Soviets used to try to simulate some of this, like the Subbotniks, which they ruined by making them effectively mandatory, and not for the benefit of the coerced volunteers.

[Wonder Warthog]

"...that people in their local communities are increasingly identifying problems and appointing themselves to address them – something virtually unheard of in the past.

Alexis de Toqueville identified the above characteristic as one of the major ways that the new American Republic was superior to European governance. And in spite of 200+ years of bureaucrats trying to stomp it out, the USA "still" has that independent spirit. Battered, bashed, hated by the socialist mentality, but still alive and kicking.

[Glad2bnuts]

There are no good guys on the world stage today. Russia is the moral equivalent of the US, talking about governments here.

[WatchungEagle]

Those countries’ militaries are no threat to the US and never will be, something you know quite well.

[ETL]

Those countries’ militaries are no threat to the US and never will be

A nuclear-armed Iran and North Korea isn't a threat to us? Are you out of your mind? Or are you just another Putin butt kisser.