BBC on the Lack of Russian-speaking experts

Here is a good article about the need for Russian experts. I also liked the article’s emphasis that specialists are valuable not just for the practical goal of translating and ‘understanding one’s adversary,’ but also for soft diplomacy, to create a deeper understanding between the two cultures. Maybe something good to give out on day 1 of Rus 101 to get students thinking about why they are studying the language:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31856880