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Richard Solash

Also by Richard Solash

August 06, 2010
U.S. Report Sees Increase In Number Of Americans Joining Terrorist Groups

The latest edition of the U.S. State Department's annual "Country Reports on Terrorism" documents global terrorist attacks and activities from 2009. Among the major developments were an increase in the number of U.S. citizens who have been recruited as operatives for foreign terrorist groups, and worldwide terrorist attacks falling to their lowest level in five years.
August 04, 2010
Senate Panel Delays Vote On Controversial Nominee For U.S. Ambassador To Azerbaijan

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has postponed a vote on President Barack Obama's pick for U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan. The postponement comes on the heels of a confirmation hearing in which Matthew Bryza faced tough questions on his diplomatic record in relation to the ongoing conflict between Yerevan and Baku.
July 27, 2010
Afghan War Leak Stirs Intense U.S. Debate

As U.S. officials try to contain fallout from Wikileaks' release of reams of secret documents on the war in Afghanistan, U.S. pundits and the public are also having their say.
July 22, 2010
Obama Pick For U.S. Ambassador To Azerbaijan On The Defensive At Senate Hearing

The U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has held a hearing on the controversial nomination of Matthew Bryza for the post of U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan. Facing a variety of concerns from senators, and amid Armenian accusations of pro-Azerbaijan bias, Bryza quickly found himself on the defensive.
July 20, 2010
Investigation Sheds Light On Giant, Unwieldy U.S. Intelligence System

After a two-year investigation into the makeup and management of the U.S. intelligence system, "The Washington Post" describes a top-secret world so massive, with so many redundancies, that it's impossible to keep track of. Moreover, its unwieldiness may compromise its ability to keep U.S. citizens safe.
July 16, 2010
Tobacco Workers In Kazakhstan Face Exploitation, Child Labor

A new report by Human Rights Watch documents the widespread exploitation of Kyrgyz migrant tobacco workers, as well the frequent use of child labor, on farms in Kazakhstan that supply tobacco giant Philip Morris International.
July 12, 2010
Conservationists Wage A Different Fight In Iraq, Afghanistan

As instability and conflict continue to plague Iraq and Afghanistan, a small and often forgotten contingent of conservationists continues their work on the ground. Their goal is to safeguard threatened natural resources, and to broaden people's associations in the process.
July 05, 2010
Steam Heat -- Reinventing The Banya In New York

A U.S. sauna enthusiast explores the Russian tradition of the banya -- how it's changed in New York, and how New York's changed it.
June 29, 2010
'Decade Of Decline' For Democratic Institutions In Former Soviet States

The last 10 years have been a "decade of decline" for democratic governance and institutions throughout most of the former Soviet Union, according to the latest edition of "Nations in Transit," an annual report compiled by U.S.-based watchdog Freedom House.
June 25, 2010
Despite Boost In U.S. Support, Russia's WTO Bid Still Faces Opposition In Georgia

U.S. President Barack Obama says Russia is on its way to winning full U.S. support for its long-delayed bid to join the World Trade Organization. But what the U.S. president failed to mention is that another WTO member, Georgia, has threatened to block Russian accession. How significant a threat does Tbilisi pose to Moscow's bid to join the global trade group?
June 19, 2010
Kyrgyz Crisis Brings Global Refugee Problem Into Focus

The ethnic violence in Kyrgyzstan has displaced some 400,000 people -- an unprecedented event in the country's history. But that figure represents less than 1 percent of the total number of involuntarily uprooted people in the world.
June 18, 2010
Despite Muslim Disapproval, Global Image Of United States Remains Positive

The United States continues to enjoy a generally positive global image despite concerns about its foreign policy and increasing disapproval in the Muslim world, according to the newly released "Global Attitudes Project," which also shows widespread support for sanctions against Iran and evidence of a successful U.S.-Russia "reset."
June 10, 2010
OSCE Media Rep Sees 'Alarming Increase' In Violence Against Journalists

The new OSCE representative on freedom of the media has decried an "alarming increase" in restrictions and violent reprisals against journalists in the former Soviet Union.
June 09, 2010
Forgotten Work By Master Georgian Composer Reincarnated By U.S. Chorale

Thousands of kilometers from Tbilisi, and almost a century after it was written, a rare liturgy by Georgian master composer Zakaria Paliashvili has been reincarnated in the United States. Hours of preparation, along with a little bit of luck, all coincided in one of the few known performances of the piece, and likely the first Georgian-language performance of it since the Bolshevik Revolution.
June 09, 2010
From New Zealand To Iraq, Global Index Measures Countries Most, And Least, At Peace

The world became slightly less peaceful in 2009. That's according to the newly released Global Peace Index, a ranking of 149 nations based on a variety of indicators related to peace, including levels of violent crime, potential for terrorist acts, and relations with neighboring countries. Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan were once again among the world's least peaceful nations, while Russia and Georgia experienced some of the sharpest ranking drops.
June 01, 2010
Putin's Assurances To The Contrary, Protesters Are Beaten And Detained

When Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin voiced rare support for public protests two days ahead of planned May 31 demonstrations, there was hope that they would be met by an equally rare peaceful response by the authorities. But today, one activist remains hospitalized after police detained nearly 200 protesters during violent crackdowns on rallies across the country.
May 24, 2010
Basketball Exchange Shows Lighter Side Of U.S.-Russia Relations

A group of young Russians are in Washington to pick up some basketball tips and learn more about the country in the process -- the first exchange under a new program meant to improve U.S.-Russian cooperation after years of frosty relations.
May 14, 2010
As U.S. Visit Ends, Karzai Says 'Right Approach' Being Taken In Kandahar

As his Washington visit winds down, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said U.S. and Afghan officials have "adopted the right approach" to the U.S.-led offensive in Kandahar, set to begin in June.
May 06, 2010
U.S. Congressman Plans Legislation In Russian Prison-Death Case

A U.S. congressman has pledged to introduce legislation to lawmakers lifting U.S. visas and banning investment in the U.S. economy for some 60 Russians connected to the prison-death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky. The group includes top Russian government officials. RFE/RL correspondent Richard Solash reports.
April 22, 2010
START Ratification Process To Begin Soon

U.S. and Russian officials say that the ratification process for the new START treaty will begin in early May, when it is sent to lawmakers in both countries. Despite potential roadblocks, they say that an effort will be made to complete the process by the end of the year.

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