Very interesting city, Ekaterinburg. It’s known for a number of reasons, all of which are to do with its somewhat shadowy, secretive character. It was the scene of the Romanov family’s assassination by the Bolsheviks, and the fount of the whole Anastasia controversy/red herring. During World War II, the Russian government created a secret second…
Analysis: Death, dollars and déjà vu in famine-hit Somalia
Update, October 2011: This is the July 2011 post that spawned the recent CNN documentary. It appeared two weeks later in modified form on the Huffington Post. Famine declared by the UN in the Shabelle region of Somalia. Mogadishu in a state of “gun-blasted anarchy”. Aid floods in – but its effects are patchy.…
Google, Skype, Hotmail & the FSB: Russia’s hidden heart
Very interesting city, Ekaterinburg. It’s known for a number of reasons, all of which are to do with its somewhat shadowy, secretive character. It was the scene of the Romanov family’s assassination by the Bolsheviks, and the fount of the whole Anastasia controversy/red herring. During World War II, the Russian government created a secret second…
What makes you think it’s not me, officer?
Happy memories of shopping for forged driving licences in Russia’s Urals…
What’s German for ‘Outlaws Inc’?
The answer, of course, is “Tödliche Fracht”. OK, lie. But…
Check out the Daily Q&A
I’ve added a new section to this site: the Daily Q&A.
Oliver Stone and me: unfinished drinking business
I chatted to the legendary director about Fidel Castro, The Doors and more…
How do I know you’re not one of Them?
When you’re writing an investigative book, only about a third of what you do is writing…