Jarret Schecter here takes on his second epic train adventure, this time through the vast interior of Russia - taking pictures through the window of the Trans-Siberian railroad in the final months of 2009. What happens between Moscow and Vladivostok is not only predictive of what will happen in the worlds largest country both in terms of space and natural resources, but it also has some prophetic value with respect to the world in general. In many respects, this heartland or the body of Russia is an unpredictable and precarious place and, no less troubling, a Muscovite head on top that may be ambitious, arrogant or even vengeful. The images presented here, hint at a subtle yet a tense negotiation between Moscow and an almost 5,778 mile heartland.

The experts at Off Track Planet bring you a roadtripping guide to 'Merica. This guide includes all the information you'll need to take on the great nation of 'Merica, a country filled with rich culture, museums, shopping, sightseeing, partying, art and music, festivals, nightlife, and more. This edgy reference book will include information on fashion, climate, health and safety, budgeting, and where to stay, as well as show you how to navigate every mode of transportation from buses to Uber; explore the finest art museums to the most tagged urban beauty; discover bodegas, delis, corner stores, and tasting menus around the country; visit weird landmarks; take cheap must-do tours; and crash anywhere from a hostel to a couch. Complete with pre-departure suggestions, OTP Tips and Fun Facts, as well as illustrated maps and 200+ full-color photos, this comprehensive travel guide is equally as entertaining as it is informative.

In this completely updated edition of Off Track Planet's comprehensive, uncensored travel guide, you have all the tools at your fingertips to reignite your sense of adventure and travel the world to over 100 destinations. The editors of Off Track Planet specialize in inspiring the young, sexy masses to get off their asses and out into the world. Conquer the world's greatest mountains, oceans, and footpaths, let your passion for food take you across the globe, party like it's your job, and hook up with locals from here to Timbuktu. In this guide you will: Find exciting, sexy, and -- most importantly -- free shit to do in every corner of the world Plan, pack, and get yourself halfway across the globe on a Cup-O-Noodles budget Discover charity projects that let you extend your travel and help a worthy cause And more!

In The Russia Sanctions, Christine Abely examines the international trade measures and sanctions deployed against Russia in response to its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Abely situates contemporary sanctions within their larger historical and economic backgrounds and provides a uniquely accessible analysis of the historic export controls and import restrictions enacted since 2022. She argues that these sanctions have affected, and will continue to affect, global trading patterns, financial integration, and foreign policy in novel ways. In particular, she examines the effects of sanctions on energy, food, fertilizer, the financial system, and the global use of the US dollar, including trends of de-dollarization. Coverage includes sanctions against oligarchs, the freezing and seizure of assets, and steps taken to make sanctions more effective by promoting financial transparency worldwide.

This book discusses and dissects the strategies of international institutions and donors to assist it in its economic and political transition to a market economy. Considerable detail is provided on the activities of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Bank for Reconstruction, the World Bank, and the European Union in Russia. The book is based on a GAO Report that has been excerpted and augmented by explanatory commentary. A full subject index is provided.

In the 17th century, only Moscow's elite had access to the magical, vibrant world of the theater. In Russia's Theatrical Past, Claudia Jensen, Ingrid Maier, Stepan Shamin, and Daniel C. Waugh mine Russian and Western archival sources to document the history of these productions as they developed at the court of the Russian tsar. Using such sources as European newspapers, diplomats' reports, foreign travel accounts, witness accounts, and payment records, they also uncover unique aspects of local culture and politics of the time. Focusing on Northern European theatrical traditions, the authors explore the concept of intertheater, which describes transmissions between performing traditions, and reveal how the Muscovite court's interest in theater and other musical entertainment was strongly influenced by diplomatic contacts. Russia's Theatrical Past, made possible by an international research collaborative, offers fresh insight into how and why Russians went to such great efforts to rapidly develop court theater in the 17th century.

Now fully updated and revised, this clear and comprehensive text explores the past quarter-century of Soviet/Russian international relations, comparing foreign policy formation under Gorbachev, Yeltsin, Putin, and Medvedev. Drawing on an impressive mastery of both Russian and Western sources, Andrei P. Tsygankov shows how Moscow’s policies have shifted with each leader’s vision of Russia’s national interests. He evaluates the successes and failures of Russia’s foreign policies, explaining its many turns as Russia’s identity and interaction with the West have evolved. The book concludes with reflections on the emergence of the post-Western world and the challenges it presents to Russia’s enduring quest for great-power status along with its desire for a special relationship with Western nations.

This book is a counterpoint to the prevailing view that the United States is an imperialist nation that has violently pursued power in the world to advance its own narrow interests. The basic theme is that at the dawn of the 20th century, there were six democracies in the world, but by century's end, democracy was ascendant. This epic historical transformation has been thanks in great measure to the vision and sacrifices made by Americans. Matthew C. Price examines the great conflicts of the 20th century, showing how American democratic principles have utterly reshaped global values and politics. The defeat of fascism and imperialism in World War II led to the Marshall Plan, the single most influential rebuilding program in human history. The fostering of democracy in Japan, the establishment of the UN, and the fall of the Soviet Union reshaped the world in unforeseen ways. America has dedicated itself to democracy in the Middle East, to democratization in China, and to the larger quest for the spread of liberal democratic principles worldwide, even when the struggle is difficult, dangerous, and ongoing. Early in the century, Woodrow Wilson said that America should make the world safe for democracy. In taking up that challenge, the United States changed human history.