Moises Naim fears that Russia may already be a petrostate: “Petrostates are oil-rich countries plagued by weak institutions, a poorly functioning public sector, and a high concentration of power and wealth. The gulf between a petrostate’s rich natural resources and the chronic poverty of its citizens often leads to political unrest and frustration.”
Moises is originally from Venezuela, so he knows whereof he speaks.
My Farsi isn’t up to much, but it does look like Iranian vice-president Mohammad Ali Abtahi is writing a real weblog.
I like his tagline: “Let me be myself — Mohammad Ali Abtahi — in this website; regardless of my official and governmental status.” If anyone can tell me what he’s actually writing about, I’d be interested to know.