A Superpower in What? A Look Into the Nature of Russia’s Social Order (Cato Institute)

Featuring Julia Latynina , Independent journalist, Russia. Moderated by Andrei Illarionov , Senior Fellow, Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, Cato Institute.

Russian pawnshops thrive as banks tighten lending (AP via Yahoo! News)

During the depth of the credit crisis in Russia last year, when banks were charging exorbitant interest rates for loans, some businessmen raised cash by less conventional means — pawnshops.

Russian pawnshops thrive as banks tighten lending (Washington Post)

MOSCOW — Pawnshops have taken advantage of Russia’s credit crunch in boosting their lending by 18 percent last year, the Central Bank said in a report.

Ustyugov wins Olympic gold in mass start (NBC Olympics)

Evgeny Ustyugov of Russia won the gold medal in the men’s 15km mass start — it was his first Olympic title.