New York Times and International Herald Tribune columnists cite Michael McFaul on the recent poisoning scandal and Russia's image

Despite Russia's efforts to brighten its image overseas, its reputation has suffered considerably in the past year because of actions back home, such as sanctions against Georgia, and the killing of prominent investigative journalist and Kremlin critic Anna Politkovskaya. Now speculation that Kremlin may have been behind the poisoning death of a former intelligence agent who was looking into Politkovskaya's murder has deepened the impression that Moscow is reviving the brutal tactics of the Soviet era. Like many analysts, CDDRL Director Michael McFaul suggest that Russia would be better off trying to change its actions and policies rather than spending millions on image-spinning. In a recent interview to the International Herald Tribune he said: "I'm just flabbergasted at the money Russia is spending" on PR efforts, while committing actions "that help fuel suspicious stereotypes."

• » Ex-spy's poisoning latest blow to Russia's image (International Herald Tribune)
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