U.S. President Barack Obama visited Russia in early July to much media fanfare in the West, but was anything really accomplished? In a carefully choreographed diplomatic dance, Obama met first with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and allocated only a breakfast with Prime Minister (and de facto Russian leader?) Vladimir Putin. Clearly Obama hoped, in the Bushian turn of phrase, to "see into the soul" of Medvedev and lure him away from the omnipresent Putin-Sputnik.

But during the visit, the Russian leaders both seemed steadfast in their attempts to slip out of America's crumbling unipolar dominance of world affairs and maintain their own sphere of influence over the former Soviet Union. And although there were some agreements made between the U.S. and Russia on cuts in nuclear arms, at least one prominent supporter of nuclear disarmament, journalist Jonathan Schell, told Democracy Now's Amy Goodman that he found the nuclear agreement between Obama and Medvedev to be "disappointing".

On a lighter note, somehow the trim President Obama was able to mostly resist the temptation of this fantastic Saint Basil's Cathedral cake, featured in this Russia Today report: 

Cake aside, the diplomatic ballet continued earlier this week, as Vice President Joe Biden paid a requisite visit to NATO hopefuls and Russian archenemies Ukraine and Georgia. While Russians merely yawned in the face of Obama's star power, Biden was greeted with adoring crowds in Georgia's capital of Tbilisi, as he drove by "George W. Bush Street" (the former president was always a popular figure in Georgia, due to his support of Georgian independence from their domineering Russian neighbors).

In Ukraine, Biden affirmed U.S. support of Russia's near abroad, rejecting Russia's "sphere of influence" in the region. But it remains to be seen if Washington can back up these words of support with true action. With Russia's civil society and politics drifting back to the authoritarian, stifling dissent from human rights activists, journalists, and competing politicians, the U.S. has some tough decisions to make in dealing with the Russian bear.

I headed over to Drom the other night to catch The Shin, a great band from the Republic of Georgia. The place was packed, which made it hard to get good shots, and as usual, the club was dimly lit, even on stage. Even more frustrating, I am finding that while this little Flip camera shines in an acoustic setting, just get an electric bass in there and that's all you hear. Fortunately, though, the band had a folk dancer, David Ninoshvili, who turned in some pretty dynamic moves.

I was sitting in a tiny space by the stage, so I had a great view of Ninoshvili's footwork.  I captured a fair amount, but at one point (after my batteries had run out!!!) the man actually got on his tippy-toes (yes, just like in "Titanic") and proceeded to go through some truly punishing choreography; he wasn't wearing anyting remotely like ballet shoes, which have a built in box to protect the dancer's foot. Don't mess with those Georgian folk dancers.

Also: just found out about a great site : http://www.radiovideotrad.com

Check out their videos-- the accent is on ethnographic, but from Cajun to Balkan Brass to Bellydance, most of them are a lot fun!

A few years ago I was invited to attend a musical awards ceremony for the World Culture Open. It was held at Avery Fischer Hall in Lincoln Center, but what drew me there was the roster of artists that were to perform. I already knew some of them, like Misia the fado singer from Portugal, the Rustavi Choir from Georgia, and of course, Youssou N'Dour, from Senegal.  But I found myself stunned by other artists I was not as familiar with. The oud duet of Yair Dalal from Israel and Nasser Musa from Palestine was riveting. Omar Farouk Tekbilek from Turkey was ecstatic, singing Sufi poetry; so much so that the elderly Jewish couple sitting next to me said "Oh, our cantor would LOVE this!" But what  probably blew me away the most was the opening performance - a troupe of Korean women who played an array of drums in perfect unison. Gorgeously attired, they did not seem to even break a sweat as they executed complex rhythms and demanding choreography. You can imagine my excitement when I learned that the entire concert had been videotaped and was available for Link TV. And it's playing this week. Check it out!