13 May 2008

Stories from 13 May 2008

Russia: May 9

Lyndon of Scraps of Moscow posts two informative and insightful entries on the complex politics and other dimensions of May 9 in Russia – here and here.

Poland: The Liban Quarry, Schindler, and Sendler

Polandian visits the Liban Quarry and posts pictures: “In 1992 Steven Spielberg built a replica of the Nazi’s Płaszów Labor Camp for his movie Schindler’s List. The remains of this highly realistic set can still be seen today a short distance from the center of Krakow.” In the comments section,...

Caucasus: US Immigration

Social Science in the Caucasus examines statistics released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Service on the number of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas issued to citizens from the three South Caucasus countries. According to that data, Armenia has the most number of visas issued with Georgia second and Azerbaijan third.

Georgia: Political Advertising

My Caucasus Knot comments on the price of political advertising ahead of this month's parliamentary election in Georgia and compares the situation with that during elections in Armenia. Despite concerns with higher than normal rates for the pre-election campaign period in Armenia, the costs in Georgia are comparatively astronomical.

Georgia: Needless Confrontation?

Penny for your Thoughts comments on the opinion that support for Georgia in its current conflict with Abkhazia risks bringing the United States into needless confrontation with Russia. The blog says that contrary to that view, there are strategic reasons why Washington should support Tbilisi in its continuing spats with...

Morocco, Israel, and Palestine: A Unique History

Since the Nakba and Israel's claim of independence 60 years ago, Israel and Morocco have had an interesting relationship. Prior to the creation of an Israeli state, Morocco had a large, if not thriving, Jewish population. Here's what a few Moroccan bloggers have to say on this, the 60th anniversary of Israeli independence.