As Asia Rises and Europe Declines, Russia Invests Its Hopes in its Far East
Vladivostok, a Pacific port city long in decline, is being revitalized by Moscow. But the city’s slow integration with China, Japan, and South Korea is clashing with its long-Slavic identity. Can a city be both European and Asian?
Corruption hobbles Russia’s Far East
Moscow is looking to Russia’s Far East as a region poised for better times, and a building boom aims to make Vladivostok an investment hub. But young residents are still leaving the city in droves.
North Korea-Run Restaurants Spread Propaganda and Kimchi Across Asia
TGI Friday’s meets DPRK propaganda center, the state-owned Pyongyang Cafés provide kitschy entertainment and much-needed revenues for the regime back home
Japan’s nuclear troubles extend into Russia
The Russian used auto industry relies on used car shipments from Japanese companies that have dried up since the March earthquake and problems at the Fukushima plant.
Siberian tigers under threat as ‘timber mafia’ devastate Russian forests
Criminal gangs are increasingly smuggling Russian timber into China for manufacture into baby cribs, picture frames and toilet seats sold in the west. Those trying to thwart them face violence and corruption. Sebastian Strangio reports from Vladivostok.
Russia’s Far East forest mafia
With Chinese demand for hardwood rising, large swathes of forests are being illegally logged. Corruption and fear are hampering a crackdown.
