"In the West there is a prevailing assumption that the Soviet era is a disgraced memory among the Russian peoples.  Most of us from the Cold War era like to think of a new Russia exemplified by Rolex watch billboards and a McDonald's bordering Red Square, Christmas decorations at the old GUM, and pictures of Lenin's tomb standing cold and deserted. But hubris, disregard, and abuses in our relations with Russia have helped fuel a resurgent nationalism. Lines again form, red banners waive, and flowers are laid in homage to Lenin and other Soviet era leaders."

     "Now, I'm not of the silly "Putin is Stalin" mindset. The situation is far more complex. It is telling, however, that while there are jokes about Lenin, Brezhnev and Gorbachev ... no one tells jokes about Stalin or Putin. The Russian people demand to taken seriously again..."    K. Lee Lerner | read more

   Moscow, Russia 2006. ©Photo: Lerner & Lerner