June 2008 Issue

{FEATURE}
Stranger in Moscow
Dmitry Medvedev is young and powerful, but can the new Russian president escape his predecessor’s shadow?
Mystery. That is the best description of new Russian President Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev. Although no one outside of Russia really knows much about him, the global media didn’t hesitate to portray him as nothing less than a pawn to the outgoing president and new Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
Medvedev is another figure to add to the collection of “post-“ leadership. As American Sen. Barack Obama has been branded as a “post-civil rights leader,” Medvedev is considered “post-Soviet.” Different from his predecessor, the 42 year-old was never a member of the KGB, the long time intelligence wing of the former Soviet Union nor does he have the network ties to the old socialist state.
In fact, Medvedev was still in school at the time of the Soviet Union’s fall, earning his PhD from Leningrad State University. He didn’t rise up the old ranks of the Soviet Union industrial and military infrastructure, but started out as a legal expert in the new Russia.
Read more...

{ELECTIONS}

Kenya
Under the Microscope…
and then some.
Simba Makoni, the independent candidate who came third in Zimbabwe’s presidential elections in March, has said he wants the upcoming run off election between Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and incumbent president Robert Mugabe to be abandoned and replaced by a unity government. Makoni fears the political violence that has engulfed the country will continue Read more...

{RELAFORD RENAISSANCE}


Ted’s Turn
The President’s ‘kid brother’ faces his first political challenge.
The United States and the world became sullen with the untimely news that Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) is suffering from a malignant brain tumor. The Democratic ‘lion’ is the second longest current serving senator. Read more...

{NOTE from the EDITOR}

At Dawn
Regardless of how powerful someone or something has become, it all has an origin. This is a time when he or she is embarking on a path that is new for them regardless of their experience. Opposite of twilight, this issue focuses on the dawn of new ages. Read more...