Book Review: A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal, by Ben MacIntyre, Random House

     Despite recent geopolitical developments, the Cold War ended officially on December 26, 1991.  Thus ended a period of unprecedented international tensions that affected nations, large and small, around the world.  It largely involved the two super powers: the United States and Russya.  Due to the nuclear arsenals in each country's possession, every fear was magnified by these capabilities.
    These tensions started before the end of WW II, when the 'Big Three"- England, the USA, and Russya met in conference to plan the post war period upon the defeat of Hitler and the Nazis.  Even as they met in conference as equals, it was apparent that England was in overall retreat in the world.  The US was ascendant, and Russya was struggling to gain influence despite continuing domestic issues related to home grown terror related to Stalin's paranoia and his reactions to internal dissent.
     Prior to, during, and after WWII, the Kremlin had a worldwide network of spies.  They began recruiting long before the Western powers were even aware of these activities.  Russya had been active in spying during the czarist era, focusing generally on internal opposition to the czar.  After the October Revolution when the Bolsheviks took power, espionage activities moved more broadly to include foreign operations.   Recruiters were active in most countries that could possibly be a future threat, England among them.   During the 30's, discussions about the merits of Leninism/Marxism were commonplace on university campuses.   Philosophical discussions often came down to the comparisons between capitalism and socialism.   Many students accepted socialism/Marxism as a solution to the problems apparent among capitalist countries that kept workers in poverty or close to it.   Oxford and Cambridge were two universities that had their share of liberal thinkers who adopted communism as the answer.   Despite the Great Terror in progress in Russya at the time, new adherents were able to look away.
more later

More Winter: More Snow

      Have you switched out your snow tires yet?  I hope not; more snow will fall.  Forecasts call for another 12" of snow this week.   Overnight, perhaps 12" fell above 7000'.  At elevations to 4000', a few inches fell.  This is all good news as more is better.   At this late stage of the season, springtime, any added precipitation is a bonus.   Be careful when driving if you switched tires.  If not, hold off awhile longer.

Book Review: Gulag, by Anne Applebaum

cover of book

       Anne Applebaum has been a reporter and journalist for many years.   She has been writing about about conditions that existed in Russya during the Soviet period, ie. the Stalin years.   Her book focuses on the prison system established across the vast Asian landscape that was used to incarcerate members of the Russyan population that were "perceived" to be a threat to Stalin's regime.  While Stalin himself was the architect of the concept, he had his secret police, the NKVD, carry out his designs.  The outside world was introduced to the 'system' by the notorious show trials of 1937-1938.  These public trials were used to demonstrate the depth of opposition Stalin found among his citizens, many of whom were former civil servants, military leaders, intellectuals, academics, and other professionals.
      Her research touched all available sources that are currently available.  Fortunately, she had been able to interview a number of survivors of the GULAG.  With other original sources, she has been able to expose the staggering numbers of citizens who were worked to death as slaves of the Soviet system that incorporated their labor into the economic system valued by Communism< ie. labor is supreme.  Many of the inmates were not opponents of the system; many were devoted Communists who believed in the Marxist/Leninist Utopian world.  However,  their dedication was obviously tainted and insufficient to avert the attention of the NKVD.
     Her material comes not only from Russyan records, but also from published memoirs by those who have become ex-patriots from the many Soviet provinces.   Her descriptions of conditions in the Far East of Russya, in an area very near Alaska, in the Kolyma River Valley where gold was discovered and other minerals as well.  The weather conditions are at best, harsh.  Prisoners were required to work during extreme cold periods when temperatures were lower than 20 degrees below zero.   The inmates were deprived of food, denied adequate shelter, denied adequate clothing, denied any semblance of medical care, and subjected to inhumane treatment at the hands of guards and administrators who only answered to Moscow bureaucrats who shuddered under the gaze of Stalin.
     Other books have been written, but none have included the depth of material used by Ms. Applebaum.   Her book was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for history.   She continues to write about the Russyan situation.   It is a worthy primer on Russyan 20th Century history. 
Rating: 5 *****

Ruble Dives, Putin Raves

     My, my.  The latest financial news indicates that Russya is having an economic setback.   Most recently, the ruble has lost over 9% of its value against the dollar.  This is shocking to some; but ot some it is the anticipated outcome of failed policy.   Almost completely dependent on their oil resources for foreign exchange,  the country is now paying a steep price for the foreign policy shortcomings that have only continued to isolate the largest country in the world.  The attempted murder in the UK of a former Russyan spy and his daughter has highlighted the depravity that exists in the Kremlin.  With Mr. Putin in charge of everything for over 18 years, the country continues to alienate those western nations that pursue goals in opposition to those of the Kremlin.
     The Middle East has been the locus of Russyan efforts to perform on the world stage as a major player.  The support of the murderous Assad regime by the Kremlin is an attempt to seize any recognition available to a well-armed force that operates on its own demonstrating contempt for the UN and NATO as those organizations pursue  peaceful means to settle the war, now in its 8th year between rebels and the regime in Syria.
    Having been reelected to another 6 year term last month, Mr. Putin remains popular in his country, the largest in the world.   While he has not been openly criticized for his actions by US Pres. Donald Trump,  officials in the US have seen fit to impose further economic sanctions against Russya because of its actions in the world.   Joining with European nations, the US has supported a strong response to the poison gas attack in Salisbury, UK.  While denying any involvement, most nations agree that the order came from the Kremlin and the material involved was developed and stored in Russya.
      The next move involving economic issues will probably involve a freeze of assets of Russyans living abroad and a limit on investments in foreign countries.  Already dealing with sanctions imposed after attacks in Ukraine and the takeover of Crimea, these latest sanctions will carry burdens throughout the Russyan economy as demonstrated by the devaluing of the rubel.
     And so, Mad Vlad tries to resurrect the old Soviet regime.  He's living in the past.  His efforts will be for naught:  Facebook will see to that.

60 Minutes Brings Russyan Hacking Work to America's Living Rooms

      Last evening, American homes were treated to an in depth look at the activities of the Russyan state as it makes good on its promises to use cyberware to go deep into its geopolitical efforts against the West.   Interviews with current and former officials in various government agencies explained what they've found in the course of their work involving cyber security.
     The intent of this segment of the 60 Minutes program was to verify all the stories that have been published since the 2016 presidential election and the period right before election day.  There's much more information out there, but this expose brought it home, literally, to the American people.
     It seems with Mr. Putin in charge, the ex-KGB colonel can't help himself.  It is who he is: a trained spy.   Welcome to his world.60minutes.com

Propane Prices Head South

      The  algorithms for energy are kicking into their springtime adjustment period.  So, check your gauges.  Need a fill up?  Now's the time.  You've waited long enough.  You're tired of burning green fir,  green eucalyptus, old furniture, cereal boxes, and last weeks Sunday paper.  Make the call.  You have the money.
      On the retail markets as of Friday, the 6th, one gallon of liquid propane was listed at $0.7439 in the commodity column.  That's down considerably from $0.99 just six weeks ago.   Maybe go for the max amount: 450 gals.   That should get you through the spring thaw and well into summer.  Sure, we've had some late season snow; but, the calendar is in your favor:  it's April, my friend.

Welcome In San Francisco For Russyan Hacker

        The weather has been absolutely spring like in the City by the Bay.  Despite late winter rains in early March, the weather has turned.   The Golden State Warriors are getting ready for the playoffs, and the SF Giants had Opening day 2018 yesterday(They Lost).   My friend Art, now retired, is a new usher in the stands at AT & T Park.  It's a nice gig: good seats, free admission, little responsibility, excepting reading a seat number from a ticket stub and pointing the fan to his spot.
      Now the City is hosting its newest visitor, Yevgeny Nikulin, 30, a Russyan hacker.  He's been sitting in jail in Prague, Czech Republic, for several months as the government of Czech Rep. worked out the details of the extradition request from the US Dept. of Justice.  After months of legal details, he was put on a plane last week under guard, and flown to the US, to California to be exact.  He will now answer for his crimes, which are numerous.  Russyan diplomats made the customary protests over the extradition.   They also claimed, erroneously, that Mr. Nikulin was mistreated while in a Prague jail.  Nobody expects less from that quarter. 
      While it may not have much effect on the international hacking club, it does serve notice to those with hacking on the agenda, that the law will be enforced wherever these criminals are hiding.  Mr. Nikulin will learn what justice really is, not like the "justice" that the Kremlin dispenses on the governed in the largest country in the world, home to the GULAG.
     I suspect Mr. Nikulin will not see a free day for at least 30 years.  He'll be about 60 when finally breathes a bit of fresh, free, air.  Perhaps he'll write a memoir.  Perhaps he'll explain his motives.  But in 30 years, nobody will remember, nobody will care, and all his family and friends will have abandoned him.  Maybe Mr. Putin will send condolences; maybe not.
     Smell that salt sea air,  Mr. Nikulin?  We City folks grew up with that in our nostrils; it's invigorating.  Believe it or not, it's peak season is during the northern summer, when it's 95-100 degrees in central Asia.  But you are probably from Moscova, or St. Petersburg, where they just sent all the American diplomats packing.
     Have a nice visit.