Dear CCI friends, 

As you probably know, Russian athletes are barred from entering many international events. And when the athletes are allowed to compete at the  highest level, there is all sorts of subterfuge against them. 

The case of Kamila Valieva is a striking example. It is described here: 

Was Russia’s Top Figure-Skater Drugged at the 2022 Beijing Olympics

Some Western officials are now trying to do the same to Chinese athletes. This is described here:

New York Times Ignites China Doping Controversy Leading Into the 2024 Paris Olympics

Instead of working toward a world of friendship and competitive rivalry, the US seems intent on doing all it can to undermine Russia and China by all means.  Everybody loses. 

Which makes it all the more important to continue the important mission and work of CCI. 

Rick Sterling 
CCI Delegate 2016 & 2017

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“Nocturne on Ice”

On the topic of figure skating, CCI would like to include a beautiful performance by Maria Lyubitskaya from St. Petersburg, and in this video, she skates on the crystal clear ice of Lake Baikal .

November 18, 2023

Music by Edward Lozansky

Video by Stas Tolstnev

[Continue to Video – Nocturne on Ice]

Dear CCI Friends and Colleagues,

Are Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping just “two authoritarians bound together by nothing more than their shared enmity toward the West” as the political/media faction in the West seems to believe?  Or were their recent meetings in Beijing and Harbin indicative of something truly significant as one experienced American journalist believes?

Patrick Lawrence has given his analysis of the recent meetings between the two leaders and put this latest summit in the context of those that have happened in the last few years.  It is striking to consider that the other two superpowers on this planet have agreed to cooperate peacefully on a wide range of subjects – not least of which being their decision to resist the United States’s insistence that it alone should formulate the ‘Rules’ for cooperation for everyone else.  Where does this take us?  Or rather, where does this leave us and our Rules?

As always, we look forward to your views on this latest installment of ‘As the World Turns.’

The Directors
Center for Citizen Initiatives

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“Putin and Xi in Beijing”

May 18, 2024

By Patrick Lawrence / Original to SheerPost

Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping added another to their count of 40–odd summit meetings when the Russian and Chinese presidents convened in Beijing, later proceeding to Harbin in Northeast China, for two days of talks that ended Friday. At 9:55 Thursday evening Beijing time, a day’s work done, the two sat behind a long table draped in green to address “members of the media,” as Xi put it. 

Western officials and the media that clerk for them have done their best, per usual, to dismiss this latest encounter of the Russian and Chinese leaders as of no account, just two authoritarians bound together by nothing more than their shared enmity toward the West. Pay no attention. We ought not miss the significance of what Putin and Xi had to say this week to one another and to the rest of humanity. The world just turned once again. 

[Continue Reading]

Dear CCI Friends,

In a world engulfed by global conflicts and attempts to re-write history, the light of a memory of the end of a war must not be allowed to be extinguished.  

Kindest regards,

The Directors
Center for Citizen Initiatives

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April 25: “Meeting on the Elbe” Anniversary 

Revival of ‘Spirit of the Elbe’ is the Roadmap to Peace

April 21, 2024

By Edward Lozansky 

Dear Friends,

Every year on April 25, we celebrate the anniversary of the historical “Meeting on the Elbe” in 1945 on the eve of our joint victory over Nazi Germany.  This year, we decided to have a flash mob Zoom meeting with 1-minute greetings from around the world.

[Continue to Read Full Article]

Meeting on the Elbe – Встреча на Эльбе (April 25, 1945)

May 7, 2022

By Edward Lozansky

As the rifts between East and West continue to tear apart the fabric of civilization while amplifying the risk of nuclear war, it is of the greatest moral imperative that we take this opportunity to celebrate the deep common history and struggle of the USA and Russia whose cooperative efforts ended the threat of nazism in 1945.

The “Spirit of the Elbe” is an example of how our countries can put aside differences, build trust, and cooperate in pursuit of a greater cause. As we work today to confront the most important challenges of the 21st century, we pay tribute to the valor and courage of all those who fought together to defeat fascism. Their heroic feat will never be forgotten.

[Continue to Watch Video]

Dear CCI Friends,

Veteran NPR Editor, Uri Berliner, reflects on the direction that NPR has taken regarding the definition of diversity and a missing component, diversity of thought. Former NYT reporter John Varoli, based in Russia in the 1990’s, recently returned to Russia and travelled around multiple regions. There was a time when John’s travelogue would have been a welcome contribution to NPR.  Would it be that today?  Be that as it may, we would like to share it with you alongside Uri’s reflections.

On the topic of day-to-day life.  What is important to you in your day-to-day life these days?

All the best to all of you,

The Directors
Center for Citizen Initiatives

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How NPR Lost America’s Trust

April 9, 2024

By Uri Berliner 

You know the stereotype of the NPR listener: an EV-driving, Wordle-playing, tote bag–carrying coastal elite. It doesn’t precisely describe me, but it’s not far off. I’m Sarah Lawrence–educated, was raised by a lesbian peace activist mother, I drive a Subaru, and Spotify says my listening habits are most similar to people in Berkeley. 

I fit the NPR mold. I’ll cop to that.

[Continue to Read Full Article]

Why Biden Doesn’t Want Americans to Travel to Russia

April 3, 2024

By John Varoli

Western perceptions of Russia are based on propaganda wrapped in lies, inside mounds of disinformation.  So, what’s the real Russia like?  I went there to find out.  The results were shocking.

[Continue to Read Full Article]

Dear CCI Friends,

The anniversary of the founding of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization occurred a few days ago and some of the most eminent voices available to speak on the subject did just that – speak out, loud and clear.

Longtime Russia/US expert geopolitical observers and analysts Gilbert Doctorow and John Mearsheimer, the incomparable former Ambassador Jack Matlock, plus the estimable Anatol Lievin have all pitched in on the subject of NATO’s historical significance and relevance in today’s world. We hope you appreciate their perspectives.  And, if you care to take the time, we would greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts on NATO – its past and its role in our future.

All best to all of you,

The Directors
Center for Citizen Initiatives

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NATO: A Force for Peace or Otherwise?

NATO’s Unhappy 75th Birthday

April 2, 2024

By John J. Mearsheimer 

NATO will be 75 years old on 4 April 2024 — two days from now. Katrina vanden Heuvel, the editorial director and publisher of The Nation, organized a panel to discuss the state of NATO today. Pascal Lottaz is the moderator. The three discussants are Anatol Lieven, Ambassador Jack Matlock, and myself.

[Continue to View Video]

NATO’s Prehistory

April 9, 2024

By Gilbert Doctorow

The one non-Ukraine and non-Israeli big news item of last week both in the West and in Russia was the celebration in Brussels of the 75^th anniversary of the signing of the agreements that created NATO. 

[Continue to Read Full Article]