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Wild East


Synopsis


For over two centuries Japan had been hidden behind a veil of seclusion. This changed iwhen Commodore Perry arrived in 1853. Unsurprisingly for a world power, Britain was fast to get in on the action. But unknown to the intruders their sudden appearance had accelerated the pace of political change in Japan. The newcomers found themselves increasingly out of their depth in a power struggle that they did not understand. The Shogun and the Emperor were at each other's throats, factions were jockeying for position, and the foreigners were at the center of it. Britain's first diplomats found themselves the targets of assassins and to their confusion discovered that the Emperor had no legislative power and the Shogun's word was no longer law. Yet with the lessons of the Opium Wars still in recent memory, a slew of British soldiers, ambassadors, interpreters and adventurers attempted to protect imperial interests in Japan without causing outright war. This is the story of the rocky beginning of Anglo-Japanese relations, a story of the 'wild east', full of political schemes, Gunboat diplomacy, assassins and samurai, set in the dying days of the Edo period and the twilight of the last Shogun.

Josh Provan

Summary

Chapter 1: The Rise of the Russian Oligarchs

* Summary: Introduces the concept of Russian oligarchs and their emergence during the post-Soviet privatization era. Explores the political and economic factors that facilitated their rise, including the corruption and weak institutional framework.
* Real Example: Boris Berezovsky, a prominent oligarch who accumulated wealth through privatization deals and political connections.

Chapter 2: The Kremlin's Grip

* Summary: Examines the relationship between the Russian government and the oligarchs. Discusses how President Vladimir Putin asserted control over the oligarchs, forcing them to toe the Kremlin's line or face consequences.
* Real Example: Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an oligarch who was arrested and imprisoned for challenging Putin's authority.

Chapter 3: The Oligarchs' Influence on Russia

* Summary: Explores the ways in which the oligarchs have influenced Russian society and economy. Discusses their control over media outlets, their role in funding political campaigns, and their impact on the country's business environment.
* Real Example: The media empire of Alexander Lebedev, which has been used to promote the Kremlin's narrative and attack its critics.

Chapter 4: The Global Reach of the Oligarchs

* Summary: Examines the international activities of the oligarchs. Discusses their investments in foreign countries, their involvement in global financial markets, and their use of offshore accounts and shell companies.
* Real Example: Roman Abramovich, an oligarch who has been sanctioned by Western countries for his ties to Putin and his acquisition of assets in the UK and other jurisdictions.

Chapter 5: The Future of the Oligarchs

* Summary: Speculates on the future of the oligarchs in Russia. Discusses the potential for their continued dominance, the possibility of further crackdowns by the Kremlin, and the impact of international pressure on their activities.
* Real Example: The ongoing sanctions against Russian oligarchs and the investigations into their wealth and business dealings.