Center for Citizen Initiatives

Bringing Russian and American citizens together in Peace since 1983.

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Postcard from Krasnodar: How is Russia doing in an era of Western sanctions?

Hi all CCI followers,

We just received an article written by a CCI traveler in 2019. Tom Egan, an attorney from Florida, gives a really interesting account of his perspectives on Moscow, St. Petersburg and Krasnodar. Tom was anything but an excited traveler. He was a typical lawyer, asking tough and sometimes brusque questions and insisting on doing this trip to Russia his way.

I wasn’t aware he was taking notes or that he would consider writing an article. I’m impressed and delighted to get this piece in which he carefully outlines many aspects of today’s Russia. Enjoy!

Great job, Tom!!!

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Russia Redux: A US Army Colonel in Russia’s Far East

By Michael Metz

Ann Wright, retired US Army colonel, retired US diplomat, and all-round extraordinary person, accompanied us on our CCI trip. Ann was one of only three State Department officials to resign in protest over the US invasion of Iraq. She was also a member of the 2010 Gaza flotilla, the group of small boats that attempted to break the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, in which nine protesters were killed by Israeli forces. I found her an inspiring individual.

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Russia Is Not Our Enemy

Dear CCI Followers,

We concluded CCI’s 17-day trip to 21 Russian cities in September. We examined Russia’s current peoples and attitudes, particularly those Russians living outside of Moscow and St.Petersburg. We operated as Citizen Diplomats in each of these Russian cities we visited, since official diplomacy between the U.S. and Russia is now non-existent.

In the beginning, some of our travelers’ attitudes ranged from skeptical of Russia and Putin. Others traveled to judge for themselves what is going on with Russia and Putin. Lastly, there were travelers who considered themselves fairly positive about Russia (but with no validation to speak of).

Delegates were both Democrats and Republicans. There were more males than females in the delegation. The age range was 18 to 83 years (myself). For the most part we remained fairly neutral and supportive of each other. By the trip’s end, we all had a more educated view on where Russia is today … as our CCI videos will testify.

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Russia Redux: Donbass

Dear CCI Friends,

Thanks to Mike Metz for the continued astute observations and photos he sends as FotoJournals. We are indeed grateful that this 2019 delegation has had so many experiences to help us understand what is happening on Russia’s side of our world. It is easy to get caught up in the U.S. perspective and assume it’s the only one that exists.

It becomes our responsibility to find ways to bring these perspectives to much larger audiences across America. You can help!

Resend our emails to your business colleagues, friends and neighbors.

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What about Communism?

Our September CCI traveler, Michael Metz, gives Russians’ view of Communism today. His assessment is pretty typical of what one hears across Russia.

Sharon (signature)

Sharon Tennison
Center for Citizen Initiatives

What About Communism?
By Michael Metz

I’ve often wondered what Russians thought about the Communist system that ruled their country for 70 years. Generally they don’t talk about it, like most people they’re focused on the present and the future, not on the past, but I’m curious, so I ask. Here’s a random sample of answers.

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