The state of affairs in Russia — hard to discern

I enjoyed this story from B Kean about Russia’s elites. It’s spot on in describing how repulsive they are. During my years in Russia, I also met and got to work with some representatives of this caste, especially the siloviki — active or retired members of various enforcement agencies who found their way into the world of business. One day I’ll write a book — I have drafted much of it already — about these experiences. I guess here in the West one can also whine about the elites — their privilege and occasional ability to escape justice. Still, there is something especially demonic about Russia’s rich and corrupt. Maybe it’s because the context matters — the shameless display of privilege happens against the background of death and murder, or because of it. I’m referring not just to the war in Ukraine. I also have in mind countless assassinations of the people inconvenient for the regime. Or maybe the degree of repulsiveness is so high because Russia’s elites are still young in the historical context and their indulgences are especially exuberant. The future generations, especially those who’ve managed to integrate into the global economy, might be more graceful in managing or displaying their privilege. Or maybe not.

I was aware of the arrest of Russia’s deputy defense minister Timur Ivanov. I barely follow the news from Russia these days, but my Mom flagged this one to me. The guy was arrested for accepting a $10K bribe, and that’s grotesque in itself. The scale of his wealth is on the order of tens, maybe hundreds of…