. Here comes a link to a recent article by Israel Shamir, entitled “A Russian Trump?”
. By way of introduction, Israel Shamir is about seventy years old; he was born a Jew in the Soviet Union; apparently had a fairly well-developed “revolutionary” consciousness; emigrated to Israel many years ago; was disillusioned by what he saw and experienced; became antagonistic to Zionism, at least in the form that he saw it in Israel; developed a compassion for the Palestinian people that he met in Israel; and eventually converted to Christianity in the form of Russian Orthodoxy. He travels widely and, if I recall correctly, has many connections in Finland.
. I have followed his journey, and his writings, for several years. I will state here that there are serious matters in which he and I might disagree; but I read his writings with much interest and considerable sympathy.
. He brings information, and a perspective, that are largely unknown in the West — or at least to me. If you read the link, prepare to be somewhat puzzled by this very complex man.
. The subject of his article is Paul Grudinin, a populist-styled politician in Putin’s Russia. At this point in time, I know nothing of “Gru” (his nickname) other than what Israel Shamir says about him.
. As always, your comments (and your own research) are most welcome.
Cedars Eleven 