The French philosopher André Glucksmann has been one of Europe's most outspoken advocates in support of liberty of Russian political prisoners, such as Mikhail Khodorkovsky.  Here in City Journal is a translation of a thought piece by Glucksmann relating to Russia's ambitions in terms of "spheres of influence," European sovereignty, and of course the Georgia problem.

Independent Georgia must survive through this summer. Last year, the Russian army positioned itself just 20 miles from Georgia's capital, Tbilisi--one hour on the highway by tank. Clouds are gathering: large military maneuvers, inflammatory media rhetoric, and a Russian veto in the UN Security Council that interrupted the work of neutral observers. The UN and the OSCE have packed their bags, leaving 200 observers, restricted to the Russian side. Pavel Felgenhauer, a military specialist based in Moscow, fears that the Russian military command will take advantage of the absence of observers in Georgia

...

TODAY: Diplomat accuses US of overplaying threat from Iran; what did Putin tell Bill Clinton?; Russia-Belarus tensions flare on loan; Amnesty slams human rights standards; reclaiming Soviet-confiscated art Russia will not object to a new UN Security Council resolution over North Korea but will continue to oppose sanctions.  According to the Guardian, senior diplomat Alexander Sternik has criticized the US for grossly exaggerating the nuclear threat posed by nations such as Iran.  The Moscow Times reports that at a private meeting in January, Prime Minister Putin offered assurances to ex-US President Bill Clinton that Medvedev is not his puppet and that the Kremlin and Washington would be able to come to an agreement on missile defense.  Poland is apparently pushing the US to ...

Suddenly, and with little warning, geopolitical risk is back. With all the thundering force of an underground nuclear explosion, our heads are turned to the globe’s unstable flashpoints once again… Suddenly, and with little warning, geopolitical risk is back.

Not that it ever really left, of course. Preoccupied with a sea of financial troubles, the world had simply put it out of sight and out of mind for a while.

Now, with all the thundering force of an underground nuclear explosion, our heads are turned to the globe’s unstable flashpoints once again…

North Korea: “Look at Me”

In North Korea, the Kim Jong Il Regime has just conducted a fresh nuclear test (and fired three short-range missiles). “World leaders reacted with outrage,” according to CNN, in response to the unlawful test. The U.N. Security Council held a special emergency session to “condemn”

...

TODAY: Economic ties and energy on the agenda for Putin's Japan meeting; no end to the stalemate in Georgia, fears of violence resurge; Obama visit to Russia in July; Medvedev undermines Constitutional Court freedomsPrime Minister Putin has emphasized friendly links with the ex-premier of Japan, Yoshiro Mori, in an attempt to facilitate an improvement in Russo-Japanese relations.  Russia is reportedly looking to come to an agreement on territorial issues with Japan (the four South Kuril Islands remaining a point of contention) through the development of more substantial economic ties.  Barack Obama's first visit to Russia has been scheduled for July 6-8.  Cracks may appear to be forming in the restart but Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has insisted that he sees no ...

TODAY: EU backs away from promising Ukraine EU membership as speculation increases that it is next on Russia’s list. Russia moves to prevent US from re-arming Georgia; doubles troop numbers in breakaway regions. Lavrov’s four-letter-words. Oleg Mitvol dismissed from environmental watchdog. Scandal of magic trick. The EU, apparently wary of antagonizing Russia, has edged away from making any promises to Ukraine on EU membership. “For the EU to let in a new member is a much more complicated decision than for Nato to do so.” A number of columnists have been turning their attentions to Russian relations with Ukraine, with one speculating whether Russia might try to provoke the country into attacking. Ukraine is to shut down an early warning attack station based in Sevastopol that is currently being used ...

TODAY: US and Poland sign missile agreement; Abkhazia to request recognition of independence; Russian troops to be out of Georgia by Friday; Georgia to reinstate monarchy?; all eyes on Ukraine; Nato freezes Russian relations; Russian Democrats comment on war; Belarus coerced into support? Poland and the US will sign an agreement on an anti-missile base today. Polish President Lech Kaczynski maintains that "no one who has good intentions toward us and toward the western world should be afraid of (the shield)." The White House is demanding that Moscow return any US equipment its forces seized in Georgia. Georgia’s separatist region of Abkhazia plans to formally request today that Russia recognize its independence. Russia and Georgia have struck a tentative agreement to accept unarmed military observers from the OSCE. Russia says that a ...

TODAY: Russian troops move into Gori; UN may approve peace proposal by end of week; Russia will not recognize Georgia’s territorial integrity; war of words rages on; HRW questions Russia’s death toll; White House struggling to find means of retaliation; Yushchenko moves to restrict Russian warships. Despite all news suggesting the contrary, Russia's troop withdrawal from the strategic city of Gori has appeared to collapse, with explosions being heard there today. The French-drafted Security Council proposal to end hostilities between Georgia and Russia may be approved by the UN Security Council before the end of the week. A text of the agreement has been published by the New York Times. Russia has declined to acknowledge Georgian sovereignty over all of its recognised territory and refused to have any reference to it in the ...