In 2006, I watched the French-German-American film Lord of War with Nicolas Cage and directed by Andrew Niccol.  I was struck by the film—since this picture very much reflected a post-Cold-War syndrome—market taking over any ideology and cynical sale of death across the borders.

Twenty years ago in Moscow, especially at night, when the city's daytime roar turned to a steady rumble, I thought I could sense the earth's axis turning. Yes, yes, I know what was happening in Russia was not an isolated event.