How did Team USA perform against the Czech Republic in the Tokyo Olympics. What was the final score of the game. Who were the standout players for Team USA. How did Kevin Durant make history during the match. What does this win mean for Team USA’s Olympic journey.
Team USA’s Commanding Victory Over Czech Republic
On July 31, 2021, Team USA basketball secured a resounding 119-84 victory over the Czech Republic in the Tokyo Olympics. This win not only showcased the team’s resilience after an initial loss to France but also propelled them into the knockout stage of the tournament. The United States’ impressive performance was marked by precise shooting, tenacious defense, and standout individual efforts.
Key Statistics
- Final Score: USA 119 – Czech Republic 84
- Team USA shooting percentage: 62% from the field
- Three-point shooting: 48% success rate
- Turnovers forced: 15
Kevin Durant’s Historic Achievement
One of the most significant moments of the game came when Kevin Durant etched his name in the annals of Team USA basketball history. Durant surpassed Carmelo Anthony to become the all-time leading scorer for the United States in Olympic men’s basketball. This remarkable feat was achieved with a pull-up 3-pointer from the top of the key during the second quarter.
Team USA’s All-Time Olympic Scoring Leaders
- Kevin Durant: New record holder
- Carmelo Anthony: 336 points
- LeBron James: 273 points
Durant’s performance extended beyond this milestone, as he continued to dominate the game with his scoring prowess. His final stat line of 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists on an efficient 8-of-11 shooting demonstrated why U.S. assistant coach Steve Kerr referred to him as “the most talented player in the world.”
Jayson Tatum’s Breakout Performance
While Durant’s achievement captured headlines, Jayson Tatum emerged as the game’s leading scorer with a spectacular performance. Tatum recorded 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including an impressive 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. This marked Tatum’s best showing in the Olympics thus far, providing a significant boost to Team USA’s offensive firepower.
Head coach Gregg Popovich’s humorous post-game comment about telling Tatum to “act like he’s playing the Spurs” highlighted the young star’s ability to rise to the occasion on the international stage.
Team USA’s Second-Half Dominance
Despite a closely contested first half, Team USA’s performance in the second half was nothing short of dominant. The Americans outscored the Czech Republic 72-41 in the final two quarters, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Scoring Breakdown by Quarter
- Third Quarter: USA 35 – Czech Republic 17
- Fourth Quarter: USA 37 – Czech Republic 24
This explosive offensive output, particularly from beyond the arc, proved to be the decisive factor in the game. Team USA’s 20 three-pointers compared to the Czech Republic’s 8 resulted in a 36-point advantage from long range, nearly matching their overall margin of victory.
Team USA’s Improved Shooting and Defense
The United States’ victory was built on a foundation of exceptional shooting and robust defensive efforts. Their 62% field goal percentage and 48% three-point shooting accuracy were instrumental in overcoming the Czech Republic’s early lead.
Defensively, Team USA’s ability to force 15 turnovers disrupted their opponents’ rhythm and created additional scoring opportunities. This two-way dominance bodes well for their future matchups in the knockout stage.
Other Notable Performances
While Durant and Tatum stole the spotlight, several other Team USA players made significant contributions to the win:
- Zach LaVine: 13 points and 5 assists
- Blake Schilb (Czech Republic): 17 points and 5 rebounds
- Jan Vesely (Czech Republic): 13 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds
These performances highlight the depth of talent on both teams and the competitive nature of Olympic basketball.
Implications for Team USA’s Olympic Journey
This convincing victory over the Czech Republic, combined with their previous win against Iran, has dramatically shifted the momentum for Team USA after their opening loss to France. With two consecutive wins by a combined margin of 89 points, the United States has sent a clear message to their competitors about their championship aspirations.
As Team USA advances to the knockout stage, their next opponent will be determined by a draw on Sunday. The team’s improved cohesion, offensive efficiency, and defensive intensity make them a formidable contender as they pursue their fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
Looking Ahead: Team USA’s Path to Gold
As the tournament progresses, several factors will be crucial for Team USA’s continued success:
- Maintaining their hot shooting streak, particularly from three-point range
- Sustaining their defensive intensity and forcing turnovers
- Continued leadership from veterans like Kevin Durant
- Further development of chemistry among teammates
- Adaptability to different playing styles of future opponents
Can Team USA maintain this level of performance throughout the knockout stages? Their dominant showing against the Czech Republic suggests they have the potential to overcome any challenger. However, the unpredictable nature of tournament play means they must remain focused and continue to improve with each game.
How will Kevin Durant’s record-breaking performance impact team morale and his individual play moving forward? Durant’s achievement not only cements his legacy in USA Basketball history but also serves as a rallying point for the entire team. His leadership and scoring ability will be crucial as they face increasingly tough competition.
What role will Jayson Tatum play in future games after his breakout performance? Tatum’s explosive scoring output against the Czech Republic adds another dimension to Team USA’s offense. If he can maintain this level of play, it provides the team with another reliable scoring option and makes them even more difficult to defend.
How will Team USA’s improved three-point shooting impact their game plan in the knockout stages? Their success from beyond the arc against the Czech Republic demonstrates the potential for this strategy to be a game-changer. Opposing teams will need to adjust their defensive schemes to counter this threat, potentially opening up other scoring opportunities for Team USA.
What adjustments might future opponents make to challenge Team USA’s newfound momentum? As teams analyze the United States’ recent performances, they may focus on disrupting their three-point shooting, attacking potential defensive weaknesses, or attempting to slow the pace of the game. Team USA’s ability to counter these strategies will be crucial to their success.
How does Team USA’s performance compare to other medal contenders in the tournament? While the United States has rebounded strongly from their opening loss, other teams like Australia, France, and Spain have also shown impressive form. A comprehensive analysis of all contenders’ performances would provide valuable insight into Team USA’s standing in the tournament.
What impact will the upcoming draw have on Team USA’s path to the gold medal game? The randomness of the draw could significantly influence the difficulty of their journey to the final. Facing tougher opponents earlier in the knockout stages could test the team’s resilience and depth, while a more favorable draw might allow them to build additional momentum.
How might Team USA’s rotation and playing time distribution evolve in the knockout stages? With standout performances from players like Tatum and continued excellence from Durant, coach Popovich may need to make strategic decisions about playing time and lineup combinations to maximize the team’s effectiveness against different opponents.
What lessons can Team USA take from their group stage experiences into the knockout rounds? The loss against France and subsequent dominant wins provide valuable learning opportunities. Analyzing these games for areas of improvement and strengths to emphasize could be crucial for their success in the later stages of the tournament.
How does the team’s current form compare to previous USA Basketball teams at this stage of the Olympics? A historical perspective on how past USA teams performed after the group stage could provide context for expectations and potential challenges moving forward.
What role will team chemistry play as the tournament progresses? As a team composed of NBA stars who don’t regularly play together, the continued development of on-court chemistry and understanding could be a deciding factor in close games against top-tier opponents.
How might the unique circumstances of these Olympics, including the lack of spectators and COVID-19 protocols, impact Team USA’s performance in high-pressure situations? Adapting to these unusual conditions could be a key factor in maintaining focus and energy throughout the tournament.
What strategies might Coach Popovich employ to keep the team motivated and focused after such a dominant win? Maintaining a balance between confidence and hunger for improvement will be crucial as they face increasingly challenging opponents in the knockout stages.
How does Team USA’s defensive performance against the Czech Republic compare to their previous games, and what does this suggest for their prospects in tighter contests? Analyzing the team’s defensive metrics and strategies could provide insight into their ability to secure stops in crucial moments against stronger opponents.
What impact might this Olympic run have on the legacy of players like Durant and the younger stars on the team? Success in international competition can significantly enhance a player’s reputation and legacy, making these games particularly meaningful for both veterans and rising stars.
How does Team USA’s three-point shooting success relate to the evolving style of play in international basketball? The emphasis on perimeter shooting reflects broader trends in the sport, and Team USA’s proficiency in this area could set a new standard for Olympic basketball.
What role will bench players and role specialists play in the knockout stages? While stars like Durant and Tatum have shone brightly, the contributions of role players could be crucial in maintaining intensity and providing strategic advantages in specific matchups.
How might Team USA’s performance influence the perception of USA Basketball on the global stage? After a period of increased parity in international basketball, a dominant showing by Team USA could reassert their position as the preeminent force in the sport.
What potential challenges or advantages does Team USA face in adapting to the FIBA style of play and officiating as the tournament progresses? Familiarity with international rules and playstyles could become increasingly important in tightly contested games against experienced national teams.
How does the team’s current offensive efficiency compare to historical USA Basketball performances in the Olympics? Contextualizing their scoring output and shooting percentages within the broader history of USA Basketball could provide perspective on the team’s potential to achieve greatness.
What strategies might Team USA employ to counter potential “giant-killer” teams looking to create an upset in the knockout stages? Preparing for different playstyles and maintaining focus against perceived underdogs will be crucial for avoiding unexpected defeats.
How might the condensed Olympic schedule impact Team USA’s preparation and recovery between games in the knockout stages? Managing player fatigue and maintaining peak performance with limited rest could be a key factor in their pursuit of gold.
What role will Team USA’s coaching staff, including assistants like Steve Kerr, play in game-planning and in-game adjustments during the knockout rounds? The expertise and experience of the coaching staff could be a significant advantage in tight situations against well-prepared opponents.
How does Team USA’s performance in these Olympics compare to their showing in previous international tournaments, such as the FIBA World Cup? Analyzing their improvement or changes in strategy since previous competitions could provide insight into their current form and potential for success.
What impact might a gold medal run have on the future of USA Basketball and player participation in international competitions? Success in Tokyo could reinvigorate interest among top NBA players in representing their country and maintaining USA’s basketball dominance on the global stage.
Team USA basketball vs. Czech Republic score, Tokyo Olympics: Kevin Durant makes history in win for U.S.
Team USA punched its ticket to the knockout stage at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a dominant 119-84 win over the Czech Republic on Saturday. The win was the second straight for the U.S., as they also defeated Iran after dropping their Olympic opener to France. Team USA will now get an opportunity to move on and continue to compete for their fourth straight gold medal.
Jayson Tatum had his best showing of the Olympics so far, and he led the U.S. with 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the floor. Kevin Durant also added 23 points (on 8-of-11 shooting) to go along with eight rebounds and six assists for the United States and Zach LaVine had 13 points and five assists.
As a team, the U.S. shot a scorching 62 percent from the field and 48 percent from long range over the course of the contest, and ultimately their hot shooting, combined with some tenacious defense (they forced 15 turnovers), proved to be too much for the Czech Republic to overcome.
Blake Schilb paced the Czechs with 17 points and five rebounds, while Jan Vesely added 13 points, four assists and three rebounds of his own.
After losing their first game to France, the U.S. has won its last two games by a combined 89 points, and the team appears poised to make a real run at gold. Now that they’ve moved on, the United States’ next opponent will be determined by a draw on Sunday. Before moving ahead though, here’s a look at three key takeaways from the United States’ win over the Czech Republic.
1. Durant becomes Team USA’s all-time leading Olympic scorer
Kevin Durant is arguably one of the best scorers in NBA history, and now he’s also the most prolific scorer in United States Olympic men’s basketball history. With his point production against the Czech Republic on Saturday, Durant moved past Carmelo Anthony to become the U.S.’s all-time leading scorer. Anthony, who scored a total of 336 points in Olympic play, now drops to second on the list behind Durant, while LeBron James sits at third with 273 points.
Durant passed Anthony with this pull-up 3-pointer from the top of the key midway through the second quarter:
Durant didn’t stop once he set the record though, as he continued to rain down silky smooth jumpers on the Czechs. In all, Durant needed only 11 shot attempts to score 23 points to help propel the U.S. to the knockout round.
At halftime of the game, U.S. assistant coach Steve Kerr said that Durant is the “most talented player in the world.” After watching him torch the Czech Republic and become the U.S.’s all-time leading scorer in the process, it’s tough to disagree with him.
2. Jayson Tatum had his best game of the Olympics
Durant got things rolling in the first half for the U.S., but Jayson Tatum really took over in the second half and secured the victory. Tatum had his best game of the Olympics so far, as he finished with a team-high 27 points (on just 16 shots), and he hit five of his six 3-point attempts.
So, what did United States coach Gregg Popovich say to unlock such a productive performance from Tatum?
“I told Jayson to act like he’s playing the Spurs,” Popovich said after the game.
“Every time he plays us he scores like 90.”
Now, that’s some solid coaching.
3. The U.S. completely dominated the second half
You wouldn’t know it based on the final score, but this game was actually close throughout the first 20 minutes of action. The Czech Republic actually led the game 25-18 after the first quarter, and at halftime, the U.S. only led by four points. But, in the second half, Team USA blew it wide open. The Americans outscored the Czechs 35-17 in the third quarter, and then 37-24 in the final quarter to secure the dominant victory. In all, the U.S. outscored the Czech Republic 72-41 in the second half.
The Czech Republic may not be the best defensive team in the Olympics, but scoring 72 points in 20 minutes against anyone is pretty impressive. The 3-point line was a huge factor for the U.S. in the win, as they were able to knock down 20 shots from beyond the arc compared to the eight that the Czechs made. That’s a 36-point advantage from beyond the arc for the U.
S. in a game they won by 35. If they’re able to continue to shoot like that, it will be tough for anyone to take down Team USA.
Team USA basketball vs. Czech Republic, Tokyo Olympics: United States looks to close out group play with a win
Team USA opened Olympic play with a disappointing loss to France, but they were able to bounce back with a monster win over Iran. Now, they’ll be looking for their second straight victory when they take on the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic enters the contest having also defeated Iran and lost to France in their first two games.
The 12 teams that are competing in the Olympics are split into three groups and every team within a group faces the other three teams from the group for a total of three games in the group stage. The teams that finish in first and second place from each group will advance into the quarterfinals, along with the two best third-place teams overall.
The game between the U.S. and the Czech Republic is the final game of group play for this foursome. With a victory, Team USA will secure its spot in the knockout stage, which will run from Aug. 3-7, and the same could be said for the Czech Republic.
Unlike Team USA, whose roster is comprised entirely of NBA players, the Czech Republic has just one current NBA player on its roster — Chicago Bulls guard Tomas Satoransky. The team has also former Washington Wizards and Denver Nuggets big man Jan Veselý. Given the talent disparity between the two teams, the U.S. enters the contest as an overwhelming favorite.
Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup between the United States and the Czech Republic.
United States vs. Czech Republic
- Date: Saturday, July 31 | Time: 8 a.m. ET
- Location: Saitama Super Arena — Saitama, Japan
- TV: Peacock | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)
- Odds: USA -4500; CRP +1500 | O/U: 183.
5 (via William Hill Sportsbook)
5 (via William Hill Sportsbook)Storylines
United States: Team USA looked much better in their second game against Iran than they did in their Olympic opener against France, and that fact wasn’t lost on the players.
“I think we came out with a lot more urgency,” Dame Lillard said after the win over Iran. “Our energy was higher, we played at a faster pace. We were more aggressive, and we played like ourselves. We didn’t come out here and think that it was just gonna happen, we made it happen, and that’s the way that we got to play if we want to be successful in these Olympics… I think our communication as a group, you know, just being in a hotel together, being in the dining areas together, at practice shooting around just talking, I feel like after that loss we came together. It was a lot of communication between then and now where it was like alright it’s time start looking like Team USA.”
The fact that the chemistry, both on and off of the court, seems to be growing within Team USA is good news for them, and bad news for the rest of the field.
The U.S. is easily the most talented team in the Olympics, and when they play up to their potential. they’re extremely tough to topple. As such, their goal needs to just continue to be to play with the proper focus and energy. Plus, knocking down shots helps too. As a team, the U.S. shot just 36 percent from the floor against France, but they bumped that up to 44 percent against Iran. If the U.S. can play with that aforementioned focus and energy and also continue to make shots, they should be in good shape, both against the Czech Republic and beyond.
Czech Republic: Since establishing itself as a country in 1993, the Czech Republic has never qualified for Olympic play before this year, so this entire experience is extremely noteworthy for them. But, when it comes to their first-ever Olympic matchup with the United States, well, they’re simply overmatched. They have only two players with any NBA experience on their roster, while the U.S. roster is filled with NBA All-Stars, champions, and a former MVP in Kevin Durant.
The Czech Republic was only able to defeat Iran by six points, while the U.S. annihilated the Iranian team, 120-66. In short, this game could be a tough one for the Czechs.
Prediction
Team USA is the (much) more talented team on paper, and the chemistry within the team appears to be growing. After dropping two exhibition games and their opener to France, one has to assume that the U.S. will be eager to avoid any further let-downs. The U.S. needs a win to secure their spot in the next stage of Olympic play, and they’re going to get it. Pick: Team USA – 24
Breakfast and basketball: Team USA takes on Czech Republic
Needed that in the worst way. After a tough loss against France, the United States Men’s Basketball Team came into the game against Iran looking to make a statement and right the ship. They did that and then some in a run away, 54 point victory.
The Czech Republic will look to keep the United States out of the medal round.
They’re 1-1 in the Olympics after taking a 20 point loss to France. As we know, France beat the USA to begin the Olympics.
Where to follow the game
Peacock (if you got it). The NBC Sports App if you don’t. Breakfast and basketball so the party’s getting started after 8 a.m. ET.
Injuries
Nothing doing for either side.
The game
One thing that was readily apparent was that Team USA was playing a lot faster than they have been. Here’s Damian Lillard to explain:
“Our energy was higher, we played at a faster pace. We were more aggressive, and we played like ourselves. We didn’t come out here and think that it was just gonna happen, we made it happen, and that’s the way that we got to play if we want to be successful in these Olympics.”
Play fast, play to have fun, play with purpose.
Technically, Team USA can advance to the next stage even if they lose.
The hope would be the point differential would save them and get them into the medal round. However, the best way to remove any doubt is to handle your business and win.
Kevin Durant is a few points away from history. KD is six points away from surpassing Carmelo Anthony for the all time scoring lead for the United States Men’s team. Durant had an easy day at the office as he scored 10 points and knocked down 2-4 from deep in 19 minutes. He got to take the fourth quarter off and I’m sure Brooklyn Nets fans appreciate any time KD gets to rest and relax.
It took a game, but it looks like Devin Booker is back in a groove. He had a smooth 16 points on 6-8 shooting as his midrange jumpers help give Gregg Popovich another capable scoring and playmaking option on the roster. When you’re not able to hit from three like the Americans were on Sunday, you need to be able to get to your spots and create offense in that in-between game. Book is one of the very best at it and if he’s locked in, the United States will have an all-world scorer on the court at all times.
Size was an issue for the Americans against France, and it might prove troublesome here. Ondrej Balvin has been excellent in the two games so far as he’s shooting 70.6 percent from the field and averaging eight rebounds a game. He made two threes vs. France, which is kinda surprising when you consider he’s only made one three pointer across 11 years of league and tournament play. For the Americans, the trio of Bam Adebayo, Draymond Green, and Jerami Grant will look to keep Balvin off the boards and look to get America out in transition.
France made the Czechs pay for their 17 turnovers by scoring 22 points off of them. If they’re that sloppy today, the US team will be able to get out in transition and collect easy baskets. With this being a 40 minute game, managing possessions takes on even more importance, especially when a spot at competing for the gold is on the line.
Player to watch: Damian Lillard
When you’re hot, you’re hot. After a bumpy debut vs.
France, Lillard got back in formation by making seven threes as he scored a game high 21 points vs. Iran. The American team will be able to win gold if their shooters are on target, and Dame is someone (along with KD) that has the responsibility of anchoring the offense.
Tomas Satoransky will be manning the point for the Czechs. He’s been a quality NBA player so fans will recognize him when he gets brought up. He can knock down threes, does a good job of running the offense, and can be a bit physical as well. He has a tough guard matchup with Lillard and Jrue Holiday, but he’ll be up to the challenge.
From the Vault
An ode to Olympic Melo
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More reading: SB Nation
USA Basketball Blows Out Czech Republic, Advances to Olympic Quarterfinals
The United States has bounced back from an opening loss to France to advance to the quarterfinals of men’s basketball event in the Olympics. With a 119-84 win over the Czech Republic, Team USA has advanced to the medal rounds. Who the Americans will face in the quarterfinals is to be determined.
During the game, Kevin Durant surpassed Carmelo Anthony for most points scored and field goals made in United States Olympics history. He lead Team USA with 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists on 8-11 shooting. Jayson Tatum scored 27 points off the bench (21 in the second half), while Devin Booker added 11 and Zach LaVine contributed 13. Tatum was 10-15 from the floor and 5-9 from beyond the arc.
Former Syracuse forward Jerami Grant played only the final four minutes of the game.
He recorded two rebounds, one assist and one steal in the game.
The Czech Republic jumped out to a double digit lead in the first quarter, but the United States dominated from there. LaVine hit a pair of threes and the defense enhanced its intensity to force turnovers as the US made a run to trim the deficit in the first quarter. Still, the United States trailed 25-18 after the first quarter.
The second quarter was where the US took control. Draymond Green hit a pair of shots, including a three pointer, to help cut into the lead. Then, Kevin Durant hit back to back threes to not only pass Anthony, but give the US a lead it would never relinquish. The Czech Republic shot over 60% in the first quarter, but the US was much better defensively in the second and took a 47-43 advantage into halftime.
In the second half, the outcome was never in doubt and the American cruised to its second straight victory. USA used a 16-2 run to take an 82-60 lead into the final frame after outscoring the Czech Republic 35-17 in the third quarter.
When France won the opening game, there were many concerned about USA basketball and its Olympic destiny. With two dominant wins, the United States has made a statement that talk of its demise was premature. The US dominated Iran 120-66 and followed that up with Saturday’s win over the Czech Republic.
USA vs. Czech Republic Men’s Basketball 2020 Tokyo Olympics: Odds and expert picks vs. spread, total for Saturday’s matchup
The men’s basketball tournament at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics continues on Saturday morning. Team USA, the betting favorite in the entire field, takes on the Czech Republic in group play. Gregg Popovich’s team is 1-1 to this point, though the Americans trounced Iran in their last outing. Czech Republic is also 1-1.
Tip-off is set for Saturday at 8 a.m. ET. William Hill Sportsbook has Team USA listed as a 24-point favorite. Team USA is also listed at -4500 on the money line (risk $4500 to win $100), while the Over-Under is set at 183.5.
Before making any 2020 Olympics bets, be sure to see what SportsLine’s Olympics expert, Mike Tierney, has to say..jpg)
A national sportswriter whose work appears in The New York Times and Los Angeles Times, Tierney has covered nine Olympic Games in person. For Rio in 2016, Tierney profited big-time. He told readers to bet Over on Team USA’s gold medal count (41.5) and Over on Team USA’s overall medal count (102.5). The result? 46 golds, 121 medals and two easy cashes.
And for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Tierney hit two of his three predictions: Germany (+200) to win the most gold medals and the United States winning Under 10.5 gold medals (+110).
Now, with the Tokyo Summer Olympics underway, Tierney has analyzed every angle of Saturday’s USA-Czech Republic men’s basketball matchup to help bettors find the best betting options. Tierney is leaning on the under for the point total.
He’s also identified an x-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. You ABSOLUTELY need to see what he has to say before locking in your picks.
Who wins Saturday’s USA vs. Czech Republic matchup? And what X-factor makes one side of the spread a MUST-BACK? Join SportsLine right now to find out which team in the USA vs. Czech Republic game you should back against the spread, all from the expert who has crushed his Olympic picks!
Tierney’s pick:
Team USA -22.5
Team USA’s fate in this tournament remains murky, but a cover here is likely against a subpar foe. The Czechs had never before qualified for the Olympics and have just one FIBA World Cup appearance, placing sixth in 2019. Only one NBA player, guard Tomas Satoransky of the Bulls, graces the roster. The Czechs opened with a six-point win over Iran a few days after the U.S. demolished the same side by 54. Another common opponent is France, which beat both teams — the U.S. by seven, the Czechs by 20. U.S. guards Jrue Holiday and Devin Booker, who joined the squad late after an arduous NBA playoffs, came off the bench against France because of exhaustion but started versus Iran.
Their insertion paid off as the fast break produced numerous baskets. Both should be recovered by now from having virtually no break between the NBA and Olympic tourneys.
USA vs. Czech Republic: Tokyo 2020 Olympics men’s basketball preview and pick
The United States men’s basketball team’s current roster only has a few games together and now will face the Czech Republic in the third game of pool play as a 24-point favorite.
Sat, July 31 2021, 12:00 PM
The U.S. could lose the game and still advance, because of a massive win differential against Iran, but the players should rightfully treat this as a must-win game to keep their gold-medal hopes alive.
U.S. expected to be in control
The obvious expectation is that the Americans’ athleticism will be more than enough to slow down the Czech offense. The hope is the offense matches the output we saw from Team USA in its last match against Iran. In that outing, the American threw in 19 three-pointers, including seven from Damian Lillard, and posted 120 points.
Unlike other European squads, like France and Spain, this Czech Republic does not have much NBA talent. Chicago Bulls point guard Tomas Satoransky is the only NBA player on the team, and the talent disparity with the U.S. will be obvious. After the Americans struggled through a loss to France, Team USA head coach Greg Popovich made adjustments against Iran that will serve the team well moving forward.
U.S. will rely on athleticism and depth
Team USA does not have time to gel and establish the kind of rhythm that is customary for great basketball teams, so it will run elite talent out and try to outpace the competition through superior depth, athleticism, and scoring ability.
Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Lillard are three of the best three-point shooters in the sport and will be potent weapons against the Czech Republic. Any of them can get hot and take over a game.
With a more free and speedy style, Team USA may have found the appropriate recipe for the rest of the games in Japan.
Look for the Americans to come out fast, open up shooting opportunities, and out-muscle a Czech Republic team that has no hope to slow down America’s best.
Olympic men’s basketball pick: USA -24
Czech-U.S. Relations | Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, D.C.
The United States of America stood by the establishment of the independent and democratic state of Czechoslovakia in the year 1918. President Woodrow Wilson supported Tomas G. Masaryk and other patriots in its creation. Tomas G. Masaryk announced the creation of the Czechoslovak Republic in the so called Washington Declaration of October 18, 1918, which was inspired by the founding ideas and documents of the United States.
During World War II, American soldiers also fought for the liberation of Czech lands from Nazi occupation and reestablishment of the sovereignty and independence of Czechoslovakia. Many of them gave their life during the liberation of the Czechoslovakian territory in the spring of 1945.
During the Cold War, the United States led the free world in its efforts to return freedom, independence and democracy to countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Czechoslovakia. Tens of thousands of Czechs and Slovaks who left their communist country found a new home in the United States, from where they continued to struggle for the return of democracy to their homeland.
Thus, the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia in 1989 could rely on inspirational and strong heritage in Czech-US relations. Vaclav Havel inaugurated the new era during his first visit to the United States in February of 1990 in his new function as the then President of the newly free Czechoslovakia when he delivered the famous speech to the joint session of the US Congress (the speech can be found here).
Today, Václav Havel is immortalized in the Capitol by a bust unveiled in 2014.
V.Havel Bust in the US Capitol
In the 1990s, the strong friendly relations between the US and Czechoslovakia and then the independent Czech Republic since 1993 peaked in the Czech Republic’s integration into NATO in 1999. The Czech Republic’s membership in this Alliance which includes the US is its basic guarantee of security.
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Czech Republic proved that it is capable of fulfilling its allied commitments. In accordance with Article 5 of the Washington Treaty on creation of NATO, the Czech Republic partook in the NATO operations in Kosovo, Iraq Afghanistan. There is also a close collaboration of Czech and U.S. armed forces on the state level, Army of the Czech Republic partnering with the National Guards of Nebraska and Texas.
In November 2008, the US Congress placed the Czech Republic on its list of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, which establishes a visa free travel between the US and the respective countries, and, thus, removed the last unnecessary barrier to Czech-US relations. The Congressional Czech Caucus, first established in 2008 proved a valuable instrument in promoting the inclusion of the Czech Republic in the Visa Waiver Program.
The Czech Republic has been a member of the European Union since 2004 and held the EU Presidency in the first half of 2009. During the Presidency, the Czech Republic hosted an informal EU-US summit in Prague. A year later, in April 2010, the Czech capital hosted President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for the signing of the New START agreement on significant reductions of the nuclear arsenals of both the US and Russia.
The bilateral relations are based on three main pillars: cooperation in the field of security and defense, economic cooperation, and shared values. Recent meetings of the leaders of the two countries have proved the strength and the potential for further cooperation, in particular in the fields of defense, civil nuclear research and other areas where Czech and U.S. interests meet. One of the current examples is the fight against terrorism and extremism. Both the Czech Republic and the U.S. work closely together as members of the international coalition against the so called Islamic State. Since 2012, the Czech Republic has also served as the U.S. protecting power in Syria.
90,000 US expressed support for the Czech Republic in the conflict with Russia | News from Germany on world events | DW
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Sunday, May 2, in a conversation with Czech Prime Minister Andrei Babis, said that Washington stands in solidarity with Prague “in its bold response to Russia’s deadly and destabilizing actions on Czech territory.”
At the same time, the head of American diplomacy and the chairman of the Czech government agreed to continue to jointly respond to threats from Russia, the press service of the State Department points out.”The decision of the Czech government to suspend the Russian state corporation Rosatom from participating in the tender for the construction of a new power unit for the Czech nuclear power plant” Dukovany “and to drastically reduce the presence of Russian intelligence in Prague increases the security of the Czech Republic and the NATO alliance,” Anthony Blinken said in a statement later.
Spy scandal between Russia and the Czech Republic
A diplomatic scandal between Russia and the Czech Republic erupted after Andrei Babis and Czech Foreign Minister Jan Hamacek reported evidence of the involvement of the Russian military intelligence GRU in the explosions at ammunition depots in the village of Vrbetice in 2014 year.In this regard, Prague expelled 18 Russian diplomats.
In turn, Moscow denied all charges against it and announced the expulsion of 20 Czech diplomats.
As a sign of solidarity with the Czech Republic, Russian diplomats were also expelled from Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. For its part, Bulgaria announced at the end of April one of the employees of the Russian embassy in Sofia persona non grata in connection with suspicions of the involvement of the Russian special services in four explosions at military warehouses and factories that occurred between 2011 and 2020.
See also:
High-profile spy scandals in the history of special services
Double agent, dancer and courtesan
In the 1910s, young Margareta Gertrude Zelle from the Netherlands began her career as a dancer in Paris under the pseudonym Mata. She moved in high society in France and entered into contact with officers and politicians. In view of this, she was recruited by German intelligence, and after a while – by French counterintelligence: when Mata Hari agreed to become a double agent, the French exposed her.
High-profile spy scandals in the history of the special services
Spouses Rosenberg
In the early 1950s, the case of the communists Julius and Ethel Rosenberg split American society. The spouses were accused of transferring secret information about the US nuclear program to Moscow. While some saw the death sentence imposed on him as a necessary measure, in the eyes of others, they were innocent victims who suffered for their beliefs. Despite international protests, the couple were executed in 1953.
High-profile spy scandals in the history of the special services
A spy in the Chancellor’s department
What began in Germany as an espionage scandal soon escalated into a national crisis. The personal assistant of ex-chancellor Willy Brandt Gunther Guillaume (pictured in the center) turned out to be an agent of the GDR and handed over secret documents from the Chancellor’s office to the Stasi. The fact of the penetration of the GDR spy into the very center of the FRG policy shocked the public and contributed to Willie Brandt’s resignation.
High-profile spy scandals in the history of intelligence services
The Cambridge Five
In 1979, former Cambridge University student Anthony Blunt found himself at the center of one of the UK’s biggest spy scandals. He admitted that he was part of a group of five agents who had access to the highest government circles and supplied the USSR with information of strategic importance. Four agents were exposed; the identity of the fifth has not yet been established.
Loud spy scandals in the history of special services
From intelligence to the podium
In 2010, the daughter of a Russian diplomat, Anna Chapman, was arrested in the United States on charges of spying for Russia. Chapman and nine other alleged Russian agents were then traded for Russians convicted of spying for Western countries. Returning to Moscow, Chapman began her career there as a model and TV presenter on the REN TV channel, and also starred in an erotic photo shoot in Maxim magazine.
Loud spy scandals in the history of the special services
Spy Full House
Every Tuesday the imaginary housewife Haidrun Anshlag sat down at her shortwave radio in the city of Marburg and listened to instructions from the headquarters of the special services in Moscow. This went on for over 20 years. Living in Germany under the guise of Austrian citizens, she and her husband handed over several hundred NATO and EU strategy documents to the Russian side. In 2013, both were found guilty of espionage.
Loud spy scandals in the history of special services
Spy Strauss?
Former head of the Christian Social Union Franz Josef Strauss managed to attract press attention even many years after his death. Strauss was allegedly an agent of the US military intelligence service OSS, the predecessor of the FBI. The Federal Center for Political Education of the Federal Republic of Germany released this information to the 100th anniversary of the birth of the politician. The results of the report, however, remain controversial.
High-profile espionage scandals in the history of special services
Espionage: version 2.0
If during the Cold War, governments feared double agents, today it is wiretapping by intelligence services. An interview with Edward Snowden and 1.7 million secret FBI documents released in 2013 provide evidence of how the United States, together with other countries, is conducting global surveillance: intelligence services wiretap telephone conversations and store the data of millions of Internet users.
Author: Nina Nibergal, Alexandra Yolkina
90,000 Czech Republic announced plans to ask the EU and NATO to expel Russian diplomats :: Politics :: RBK
The Czech Republic summoned the Russian ambassador.He will be notified of the further steps of the republic amid a diplomatic scandal. The Czech Foreign Ministry announced that they would seek the collective expulsion of Russian diplomats from the EU and NATO countries
Photo: Martin Divisek / EPA / TASS
The Czech authorities will ask their partners in the European Union and NATO as a sign of solidarity to expel “Russian intelligence officers from the embassies in their countries.”About this, according to Reuters, said the acting. Foreign Minister Jan Hamacek.
The Czech Foreign Ministry also summoned the Russian ambassador to Prague to notify him of the further steps of Prague amid the unfolding diplomatic scandal, he added.
“We will call for collective action aimed at the solidarity and deportation of Russian intelligence officers,” he added (quoted by Novinky).
How relations between Russia and the Czech Republic will change after the mutual expulsion of diplomats
The diplomatic scandal between Russia and the Czech Republic follows new US sanctions.On April 15, Washington announced the expulsion of ten Russian diplomats, stating that they included Russian intelligence officers. Poland and the Czech Republic announced the same decision. Russia also responded by announcing the expulsion of a number of diplomats representing these countries.
Statement by the Coalition for Freedom of the Media on the arrest of Roman Protasevich
Statement by the Coalition for Freedom of the Media on the arrest of Roman Protasevich
US Department of State
Official Representative Office
Media Inquiry
May 29, 2021
The following statement has been published by the Governments of Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the United Kingdom. States of America.
Start of text:
The undersigned members of the Coalition for Freedom of the Media condemn in the strongest terms the forced diversion by Belarus and the forced landing of a commercial plane and the subsequent arrest of journalist Roman Protasevich.
This unprecedented and shocking action represents a massive attack on media freedom and has serious implications for the broader right to freedom of expression and opinion.The action is even more troubling when viewed in the context of a large-scale campaign to silence independent voices in Belarus, including a May 18 raid on the offices of the independent news website tut.by and the subsequent arrest of several employees. About 400 journalists and media workers in Belarus faced various forms of repression during and after the August 9 elections.
The Coalition for Freedom of the Media demands the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Protasevich, as well as other journalists and media workers detained in Belarus for doing their jobs.The perpetrators must be held accountable for attacks on journalists and media workers.
Freedom of the media is an important part of a democratic society and is essential for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
End of text.
To view the original: https://www.state.gov/media-freedom-coalition-statement-on-the-arrest-of-roman-protasevich/
This translation is provided for the convenience of users and only the original English text should be considered official.
By U.S. Mission Russia | May 30, 2021 | Categories: News, Political Affairs, Press Releases
About the Czech Republic
Czech Republic (information and analytical note)
Czech Republic (Czech Republic, Czech Republic) is a state in Central Europe, borders on Germany, Slovakia, Austria and Poland.
Formed on January 1, 1993 after the division of Czechoslovakia. Administratively, the Chechen Republic is divided into 14 subjects (13 regions and the city ofPrague). The territory of the Czech Republic is 78.9 thousand km2. The Czech landscape is very diverse. The western part (Bohemia) lies in the basins of the Laba (Elbe) and Vltava (Moldau) rivers, surrounded mainly by low mountains (the Sudetes and their part – the Krkonoše), where the highest point of the country – Mount Snezka with a height of 1,602 m is located. Moravia, eastern part , also quite hilly and mainly lies in the basin of the Morava (Markh) river, and also contains the source of the Odra (Oder) river. Rivers from the landlocked Czech Republic flow into three seas: the North, Baltic and Black.
The climate is temperate, with warm summers and cold, cloudy and humid winters, determined by a mixture of maritime and continental influences. The weather in the Czech Republic in summer is quite stable and pleasant, since the mountains surrounding the Czech Republic along the entire perimeter do not allow the penetration of winds.
Administrations of self-governing regions
Flag of the Czech Republic Coat of arms of the Czech Republic
The national flag consists of white upper and lower red stripes with a blue wedge between them.
Coat of arms – a shield divided into four squares: in two squares there is an image of a symbol of the Czech lands of a lion, in two others – symbols of other historical territories of modern Bohemia – red-silver Moravian and black Silesian eagles.
The capital is Prague (1.2 million inhabitants).
The official language is Czech.
The monetary unit is the Czech crown (since 1993). As of September 11, 2013 – 1 USD = 19.5 Czech. CZK (exchange rate statistics are available on the website of the Czech National Bank (ČNB) – www.cnb.cz).
The head of state is the President (since March 8, 2013 – Milos Zeman).
Government
Czech Republic – Parliamentary Republic.
In accordance with the Constitution of the Czech Republic, the head of state is the President of the Czech Republic, who is elected for 5 years by direct elections. The president has limited constitutional powers.
Following the results of the second round of elections on January 25-26, 2013, Milos Zeman was elected President of the Czech Republic.
The highest legislative body is the Parliament of the Czech Republic, which consists of two chambers – the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
The Senate (the upper house of Parliament) consists of 81 senators who are elected for 6 years, with a third of the Senate and its President being re-elected every 2 years.
The Chamber of Deputies (the lower house of Parliament) consists of 200 deputies elected for a 4-year term.
Population – 10.5 million people. The bulk of the population of the Czech Republic (95%) is made up of ethnic Czechs and people who speak the Czech language. Foreigners make up about 4% of the country’s population. Among immigrants, the largest diaspora in the Czech Republic is made up of Ukrainians, of whom 126.5 thousand lived in the country at the end of 2007.In second place are Slovaks (67 thousand), many of whom, after the separation in 1993, remained in the Czech Republic and make up approximately 2% of the population. The third place is occupied by the citizens of Vietnam (51 thousand). They are followed by the citizens of Russia (23 thousand) and Poland (20 thousand). Other ethnic groups include Germans, Roma, Hungarians, and Jews. The border between the Czech Republic and Slovakia is open to citizens of the former Czechoslovakia.
History:
Before the arrival of the Slavs in the IV century BC, the region was inhabited by Celtic tribes (one of which was called “Boev”, from which the historical name of the Czech Republic – Bohemia).According to the existing legend, the ancestors of the Czechs, led by their leader named Cech, were amazed at the beauty of the land they found and decided to settle in the territory of modern Bohemia, which, as archaeological excavations show, was inhabited in the Stone Age.
Czech statehood dates back to the 9th century, when principalities were formed on the territory of what is now Bohemia and Moravia, and by the end of the 11th century the Bohemian Kingdom was formed. Its heyday came in the middle of the XIV century, when the country was ruled by Karel IV, the Czech king and emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.Prague is home to the oldest university in Central Europe – Charles University, which was founded on April 7, 1348. Feudal strife, religious strife, European dynastic wars gradually led to the decline of the Czech crown lands. After being defeated in battle in 1620, the Czech lands lost their independence and were part of the Habsburg Empire for almost 300 years.
As a result of the collapse of this state after the First World War, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Subcarpathian Rus united and formed the independent republic of Czechoslovakia in 1918.A fairly large ethnic German minority lived in this country, which was the reason for the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, when Germany achieved the annexation of the Sudetenland as a result of the Munich Agreement of 1938, which led to the separation of Slovakia. The remaining Czech state was occupied by Germany in 1939 (Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia).
After World War II, Czechoslovakia fell into the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968, the introduction of the Warsaw Pact troops put an end to the attempts of the country’s leaders under the leadership of A.Dubcek to liberalize party rule and create “socialism with a human face” during the Prague Spring.
In 1989. Czechoslovakia deviated from the path of socialist development as a result of the “velvet” revolution. On January 1, 1993, the country peacefully divided into two parts, with the formation of the independent states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Religion: According to the survey, 59% of Czech citizens do not believe in God. The largest number of believers are Catholics (26.8% of the population), the next largest group is Protestants (2.five%). There are also supporters of the Czech Reformed Church, which broke away from the Vatican in 1920. There are also Christian communities of other denominations, the largest of which is the Hussite Church, which emerged as an independent church after the break with the Roman Catholic Church in 1920. The Czech Orthodox Church, to which 3% of the total number of believers belong, is subordinate to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
Most believers are in Moravia, slightly less in the east and south of the Czech Republic.The largest percentage of atheists is in large cities, especially in North Bohemia.
Public Holidays:
January 1 – Day of renewal of the independent Czech state
May 8 – Liberation Day
July 5 – Day of the Slavic Enlighteners Cyril and Methodius
July 6 – Burning Day of Jan Hus
September 28 – Day of Czech Statehood
October 28 – Day of the formation of an independent Czechoslovak state
November 17 – Day of Struggle for Freedom and Democracy
Other holidays and days off:
January 1 – New Year
Catholic Easter (date varies according to the church calendar)
Post-Easter Monday
May 1 – Labor Day
December 24 – Christmas Eve
December 25 – Christmas (1st Christmas Day)
December 26 – Christmas (2nd Christmas Day)
Memorable dates:
January 27 – Holocaust Remembrance Day and Prevention of Atrocities Against Humanity
March 8 – International Women’s Day
March 12 – Day of the Czech Republic’s accession to NATO
May 5 – Day of the May Uprising in 1945
June 27 – Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Communist Regime
November 11 – Day of Military Veterans
The Czech Republic participates in the work of more than 60 international economic, 4 financial organizations and one interstate association.The most important for the development of the Czech economy is its membership in the EU, WTO, OECD, as well as participation in the work of the IMF and the World Bank.
From the moment of the Czech Republic’s membership in the EU (01.05.2004), all multilateral regional and bilateral trade agreements concluded earlier by it have been terminated. The Czech Republic, as a member of the EU, is fully subject to bilateral and multilateral, as well as regional trade agreements concluded by the European Union, including preferential agreements.
Economy
Among all the post-communist states, the Czech Republic has one of the most stable and successful economic systems (in this group of states, the Czech Republic is in first place in Europe in terms of economic development and investment inflow).The country is not rich in minerals and reserves of mineral raw materials, except for coal. The main industries are fuel and energy, metallurgy, mechanical engineering (automotive, power equipment, machine tools, electrical engineering), chemical, textile and food industries.
The modern Czech economy is based on a highly developed industry and energy complex, which account for almost a third of the country’s GDP, as well as a stable financial sector and highly productive and mechanized agriculture.Agricultural production accounts for about 2.6% of the Czech Republic’s GDP, while the country is fully self-sufficient in basic types of food. In the economic structure of the Czech Republic, the manufacturing and transport sectors prevail over the services sector.
The Czech Republic ranks 45th in the world economy, being a member of more than 60 international economic and financial organizations. The industry of the Czech Republic produces about 0.3% of the world’s gross output. More than 70% of large enterprises in the Czech Republic are fully or partially owned by multinational and foreign companies.
The country’s GDP in 2013 at purchasing power parity amounted to US $ 285.6 billion, GDP at the exchange rate of US $ 194.8 billion, GDP per capita US $ 26.3 thousand. Inflation is 1.4%. Unemployment – 7.1%. USA. Exports – $ 161.4 billion, imports – $ 143.4 billion.
In 2013, the main trading partners of the Czech Republic were the EU countries, including Germany (31.8% of exports, 29.5% of imports), Slovakia (9.1% of exports, 7.4% of imports).
The bulk of the Czech Republic’s exports (more than half) are machinery, equipment and vehicles.The structure of Czech imports includes machinery, equipment, vehicles and processed products.
In general, the position of the Czech economy is largely determined by the state and development of its foreign economic relations, and especially relations with the FRG, since Germany is the largest trade and investment partner of the Czech Republic. Traditionally, the Czech economy is oriented towards foreign markets, where most of the country’s GDP is realized. In this regard, the consequences of the global financial and debt crisis have a direct negative impact on the political and economic situation in the Czech Republic.
The most tangible results were the results of the crisis in the metallurgical industry, where production volumes for individual industrial enterprises decreased by 25-30%, which, in turn, led to a reduction in jobs. Decreased coal production in Czech mines, which also led to a reduction in jobs and an increase in unemployment in the respective regions of the country. A number of enterprises, mainly in the textile, light and food industries, were forced to stop production altogether and declare their bankruptcy.Among them were enterprises of traditionally Czech industries: footwear, clothing and glass industries.
Due to a decrease in the volume of government purchases and government orders, as well as expectations of a decrease in living standards due to stagnation of wages, an increase in the value added tax rate on food, an ambiguous pension reform, the domestic solvent demand for Czech products has significantly decreased. Thus, the dependence of the Czech economy on external uncontrollable factors has become even more aggravated, and the recovery from the crisis of some key industries with a traditionally high number of employees has slowed down.
Major cities of the Czech Republic
The most famous of the sights are the historical center of Prague, Kutná Hora, Cesky Krumlov, Telč, the temple of the wanderers of St. John from Nepomuk on Zelena Gora, located near diar nad Sazavou, Lednice-Valtice complex, Kromneriz, Olomouc and Holašovice in South Bohemia.
Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. At the beginning of the 19th century, there were 103 towers in it, and thus the city acquired the name “City of the Hundred Towers”. Currently, there are more than 500 of them.
The Czech Republic is attractive for its spa and recreational opportunities. Karlovy Vary and the treatment in its spa hotels are very popular. The second most popular spa town is Marianske Lazne.
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, a traditional European cultural center, a venue for many well-known events of global significance (international music festivals Prague Spring and Prague Autumn, Prague International Organ Music Festival, Prague Writers’ Forum, International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival “One Peace ”, Prague Festival of Experimental Art, World Festival of Gypsy Art and others).Prague is a city of unique architecture: 5 central historical districts of Prague (Old Town, including Josefov, New Town, Hradcany, Malaya Strana, Vysehrad) in 1993 were included in the list of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites as an architectural and historical reserve.
Brno is one of the main economic centers of the country, the former capital of Moravia, the site of the International Industrial Fairs (since 1926), the center of science, education and culture (here is the branch of the Czech Academy of Sciences, the University ofT.G. Masaryk, Academy of Musical Arts. L. Janacek, City Museum, Moravian Gallery, Art and Industry Museum, National Technical Museum, etc.). In Brno, there is the Villa Tugendhat (built in 1929-1930 by the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, a UNESCO protected area). Not far from Brno is the settlement of Slavkov, where the famous Battle of Austerlitz took place.
Ostrava is a large industrial city in the Czech Republic, where the country’s metallurgical industry is concentrated (Evraz Vítkovice Steel, Vítkovice Machinery Group).
Pilsen is the industrial, commercial, cultural and administrative center of Western Bohemia. The city is home to a number of enterprises – the “locomotives” of the Czech economy, including Škoda Jaderné Strojírenství and Škoda Transportation. Pilsen is a brewing center (Gambrinus, Plzeňský prazdroj).
Spa and wellness centers: Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne, Frantiskovy Lazne, Jachymov, Štramberk, Darkov, Jesenik.
Cultural Monuments inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: 90,086
– Brno – Villa Tugendhat
– Cesky Krumlov – historical center
– Holašovice – traditional village
– Kutná Hora – historical center
– Lednice-Valtice area
– Kromneriz – archbishop’s castle, gardens “Podzamkovy”, “Flower”
– Litomyšl – Renaissance chateau
– Olomouc – Baroque Column of the Holy Trinity
– Prague – historic center
– Telč – historical center
– Trebic – Jewish quarter, St.Prokop
– Zdar nad Sazavou – Church of St. John of Nepomuk
UNESCO Biosphere Reservations:
– Krkonose National Park
– National park and protected area Šumava
– Třebosko
– Palava
– Krshivoklatsko
– White Carpathians
Great artists: the Czech Republic is known for such people as composers Bedřich Smetana and Antonin Dvořák, singer Karel Gott. The physician Josef Becher, who created the healing liqueur Becherovka almost two hundred years ago, the writer Jan Neruda, Karel Čapek, the film director Vera Khitilova, animators Jiri Trnka and Karel Zeeman, and the Oscar-winning director Jiri Menzel glorified their homeland.The humorous traditions of Jarosalva Hasek were continued by Bohumil Hrabal.
Writers:
Karel Czapek (1890-1938) – “The War with the Salamanders”, “The Macropulus Means”
Jan Neruda (1834-1891) – “Little Stories”
Jaroslav Hasek (1883-1923) – “The Adventures of the Gallant Soldier Schweik”
Joseph Shkvoretsky (born 1924, currently lives in Canada), Tank Corps
Bohumil Hrabal (1914-1997) “Special Trains”, “I Served the King of England”
Milan Kundera (b.1929, in n. time. lives in France) “Joke”, “Immortality”, “Waltz Farewell”, “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”
Composers:
Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884) – Operas “The Bartered Bride”, “Libuše”, the symphonic cycle “My Homeland”
Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) – Opera “Mermaid”, cycle “Slavic Dances”
Leos Janacek (1854-1928) – Operas Enufa, Katya Kabanova
Artists:
Alphonse Mucha, one of the most famous representatives of the Art Nouveau style (1860-1939), The Slav Epic cycle, posters and posters
František Kupka, Orphism Representative in Abstract Painting (1871-1957), Two-Color Fugue, Cosmic Spring
Sculptors:
Josef Vaclav Myslbek (1848-1922) – Statue of St.Wenceslas on Wenceslas Square in Prague, the sculptural composition “Přemysl and Libuše” on Vysehrad in Prague
Ladislav Šaloun (1870-1946) – Monument to Jan Hus on the Old Town Square in Prague, bust on the grave of Antonin Dvořák
Filmmakers: 90,086
Vera Khitilova (b. 1929), “Daisies”
Jiří Menzel (b. 1938) “Special Trains”, “Capricious Summer”, “The Life and Extraordinary Adventures of the Soldier Ivan Chonkin”, “I Served the King of England”
Milos Forman (b.1932, since 1968 lives in the USA) “The Amorous Adventures of a Blonde”, “Firemen’s Ball”
Some features of the Czech Republic
The oldest university in central Europe – Charles University – was founded on April 7, 1348 by Charles IV – Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia. The university is a member of the Association of European Universities along with Oxford, Leiden, Bonn, Sorbonne, Bologna and the University of Geneva.
Traditional Czech dishes include braised pork, fried goose, dozens of smoked meats, hams, hot chopped rolls of different types of meat and delicacies such as roe deer and fried hare.One of the most famous dishes of traditional Czech cuisine is “knee” – the leg of a pig baked in beer. Carp and trout dishes are very popular. As a side dish, most often, potatoes, stewed cabbage and the famous dumplings: potato or wheat, with bacon or other fillings are offered.
Among the sports in which the Czechs traditionally occupy a leading position are hockey, football, certain types of athletics, skiing and many others. The whole world knows the names of famous Czech athletes, such as Emil Zatopek, Jan Zelezny, Kateřina Neumanova, Dominik Hasek, Pavel Nedved, Jaromir Jagr and others.
The tallest building in Prague is St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle. Prague Castle is a well-fortified fortress in the past. The castle was built over the course of centuries. Czech castles are the most visited in the world.
The first fruit yoghurts in the world appeared in 1933 in the Czech Republic.
Czech Republic (information and analytical note)
Czech Republic (Czech Republic, Czech Republic) is a state in Central Europe, bordered by Germany, Slovakia, Austria and Poland.
Established on January 1, 1993after the division of Czechoslovakia. Administratively, the Chechen Republic is divided into 14 subjects (13 regions and the city of Prague). The territory of the Czech Republic is 78.9 thousand km2. The Czech landscape is very diverse. The western part (Bohemia) lies in the basins of the Laba (Elbe) and Vltava (Moldau) rivers, surrounded mainly by low mountains (the Sudetes and their part – the Krkonoše), where the highest point of the country – Mount Snezka with a height of 1,602 m is located. Moravia, eastern part , also quite hilly and mainly lies in the basin of the Morava (Markh) river, and also contains the source of the Odra (Oder) river.Rivers from the landlocked Czech Republic flow into three seas: the North, Baltic and Black.
The climate is temperate, with warm summers and cold, cloudy and humid winters, determined by a mixture of maritime and continental influences. The weather in the Czech Republic in summer is quite stable and pleasant, since the mountains surrounding the Czech Republic along the entire perimeter do not allow the penetration of winds.
Administrations of self-governing regions
Flag of the Czech Republic Coat of arms of the Czech Republic
The national flag consists of white upper and lower red stripes with a blue wedge between them.
Coat of arms – a shield divided into four squares: in two squares there is an image of a symbol of the Czech lands of a lion, in two others – symbols of other historical territories of modern Bohemia – red-silver Moravian and black Silesian eagles.
The capital is Prague (1.2 million inhabitants).
The official language is Czech.
The monetary unit is the Czech crown (since 1993). As of September 11, 2013 – 1 USD = 19.5 Czech. CZK (exchange rate statistics are available on the website of the Czech National Bank (ČNB) – www.cnb.cz).
The head of state is the President (since March 8, 2013 – Milos Zeman).
Government
Czech Republic – Parliamentary Republic.
In accordance with the Constitution of the Czech Republic, the head of state is the President of the Czech Republic, who is elected for 5 years by direct elections. The president has limited constitutional powers.
Following the results of the second round of elections on January 25-26, 2013, Milos Zeman was elected President of the Czech Republic.
The highest legislative body is the Parliament of the Czech Republic, which consists of two chambers – the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
The Senate (the upper house of Parliament) consists of 81 senators who are elected for 6 years, with a third of the Senate and its President being re-elected every 2 years.
The Chamber of Deputies (the lower house of Parliament) consists of 200 deputies elected for a 4-year term.
Population – 10.5 million people. The bulk of the population of the Czech Republic (95%) is made up of ethnic Czechs and people who speak the Czech language. Foreigners make up about 4% of the country’s population. Among immigrants, the largest diaspora in the Czech Republic is made up of Ukrainians, of whom 126.5 thousand lived in the country at the end of 2007.In second place are Slovaks (67 thousand), many of whom, after the separation in 1993, remained in the Czech Republic and make up approximately 2% of the population. The third place is occupied by the citizens of Vietnam (51 thousand). They are followed by the citizens of Russia (23 thousand) and Poland (20 thousand). Other ethnic groups include Germans, Roma, Hungarians, and Jews. The border between the Czech Republic and Slovakia is open to citizens of the former Czechoslovakia.
History:
Before the arrival of the Slavs in the IV century BC, the region was inhabited by Celtic tribes (one of which was called “Boev”, from which the historical name of the Czech Republic – Bohemia).According to the existing legend, the ancestors of the Czechs, led by their leader named Cech, were amazed at the beauty of the land they found and decided to settle in the territory of modern Bohemia, which, as archaeological excavations show, was inhabited in the Stone Age.
Czech statehood dates back to the 9th century, when principalities were formed on the territory of what is now Bohemia and Moravia, and by the end of the 11th century the Bohemian Kingdom was formed. Its heyday came in the middle of the XIV century, when the country was ruled by Karel IV, the Czech king and emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.Prague is home to the oldest university in Central Europe – Charles University, which was founded on April 7, 1348. Feudal strife, religious strife, European dynastic wars gradually led to the decline of the Czech crown lands. After being defeated in battle in 1620, the Czech lands lost their independence and were part of the Habsburg Empire for almost 300 years.
As a result of the collapse of this state after the First World War, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Subcarpathian Rus united and formed the independent republic of Czechoslovakia in 1918.A fairly large ethnic German minority lived in this country, which was the reason for the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, when Germany achieved the annexation of the Sudetenland as a result of the Munich Agreement of 1938, which led to the separation of Slovakia. The remaining Czech state was occupied by Germany in 1939 (Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia).
After World War II, Czechoslovakia fell into the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968, the introduction of the Warsaw Pact troops put an end to the attempts of the country’s leaders under the leadership of A.Dubcek to liberalize party rule and create “socialism with a human face” during the Prague Spring.
In 1989. Czechoslovakia deviated from the path of socialist development as a result of the “velvet” revolution. On January 1, 1993, the country peacefully divided into two parts, with the formation of the independent states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Religion: According to the survey, 59% of Czech citizens do not believe in God. The largest number of believers are Catholics (26.8% of the population), the next largest group is Protestants (2.five%). There are also supporters of the Czech Reformed Church, which broke away from the Vatican in 1920. There are also Christian communities of other denominations, the largest of which is the Hussite Church, which emerged as an independent church after the break with the Roman Catholic Church in 1920. The Czech Orthodox Church, to which 3% of the total number of believers belong, is subordinate to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
Most believers are in Moravia, slightly less in the east and south of the Czech Republic.The largest percentage of atheists is in large cities, especially in North Bohemia.
Public Holidays:
January 1 – Day of renewal of the independent Czech state
May 8 – Liberation Day
July 5 – Day of the Slavic Enlighteners Cyril and Methodius
July 6 – Burning Day of Jan Hus
September 28 – Day of Czech Statehood
October 28 – Day of the formation of an independent Czechoslovak state
November 17 – Day of Struggle for Freedom and Democracy
Other holidays and days off:
January 1 – New Year
Catholic Easter (date varies according to the church calendar)
Post-Easter Monday
May 1 – Labor Day
December 24 – Christmas Eve
December 25 – Christmas (1st Christmas Day)
December 26 – Christmas (2nd Christmas Day)
Memorable dates:
January 27 – Holocaust Remembrance Day and Prevention of Atrocities Against Humanity
March 8 – International Women’s Day
March 12 – Day of the Czech Republic’s accession to NATO
May 5 – Day of the May Uprising in 1945
June 27 – Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Communist Regime
November 11 – Day of Military Veterans
The Czech Republic participates in the work of more than 60 international economic, 4 financial organizations and one interstate association.The most important for the development of the Czech economy is its membership in the EU, WTO, OECD, as well as participation in the work of the IMF and the World Bank.
From the moment of the Czech Republic’s membership in the EU (01.05.2004), all multilateral regional and bilateral trade agreements concluded earlier by it have been terminated. The Czech Republic, as a member of the EU, is fully subject to bilateral and multilateral, as well as regional trade agreements concluded by the European Union, including preferential agreements.
Economy
Among all the post-communist states, the Czech Republic has one of the most stable and successful economic systems (in this group of states, the Czech Republic is in first place in Europe in terms of economic development and investment inflow).The country is not rich in minerals and reserves of mineral raw materials, except for coal. The main industries are fuel and energy, metallurgy, mechanical engineering (automotive, power equipment, machine tools, electrical engineering), chemical, textile and food industries.
The modern Czech economy is based on a highly developed industry and energy complex, which account for almost a third of the country’s GDP, as well as a stable financial sector and highly productive and mechanized agriculture.Agricultural production accounts for about 2.6% of the Czech Republic’s GDP, while the country is fully self-sufficient in basic types of food. In the economic structure of the Czech Republic, the manufacturing and transport sectors prevail over the services sector.
The Czech Republic ranks 45th in the world economy, being a member of more than 60 international economic and financial organizations. The industry of the Czech Republic produces about 0.3% of the world’s gross output. More than 70% of large enterprises in the Czech Republic are fully or partially owned by multinational and foreign companies.
The country’s GDP in 2013 at purchasing power parity amounted to US $ 285.6 billion, GDP at the exchange rate of US $ 194.8 billion, GDP per capita US $ 26.3 thousand. Inflation is 1.4%. Unemployment – 7.1%. USA. Exports – $ 161.4 billion, imports – $ 143.4 billion.
In 2013, the main trading partners of the Czech Republic were the EU countries, including Germany (31.8% of exports, 29.5% of imports), Slovakia (9.1% of exports, 7.4% of imports).
The bulk of the Czech Republic’s exports (more than half) are machinery, equipment and vehicles.The structure of Czech imports includes machinery, equipment, vehicles and processed products.
In general, the position of the Czech economy is largely determined by the state and development of its foreign economic relations, and especially relations with the FRG, since Germany is the largest trade and investment partner of the Czech Republic. Traditionally, the Czech economy is oriented towards foreign markets, where most of the country’s GDP is realized. In this regard, the consequences of the global financial and debt crisis have a direct negative impact on the political and economic situation in the Czech Republic.
The most tangible results were the results of the crisis in the metallurgical industry, where production volumes for individual industrial enterprises decreased by 25-30%, which, in turn, led to a reduction in jobs. Decreased coal production in Czech mines, which also led to a reduction in jobs and an increase in unemployment in the respective regions of the country. A number of enterprises, mainly in the textile, light and food industries, were forced to stop production altogether and declare their bankruptcy.Among them were enterprises of traditionally Czech industries: footwear, clothing and glass industries.
Due to a decrease in the volume of government purchases and government orders, as well as expectations of a decrease in living standards due to stagnation of wages, an increase in the value added tax rate on food, an ambiguous pension reform, the domestic solvent demand for Czech products has significantly decreased. Thus, the dependence of the Czech economy on external uncontrollable factors has become even more aggravated, and the recovery from the crisis of some key industries with a traditionally high number of employees has slowed down.
Major cities of the Czech Republic
The most famous of the sights are the historical center of Prague, Kutná Hora, Cesky Krumlov, Telč, the temple of the wanderers of St. John from Nepomuk on Zelena Gora, located near diar nad Sazavou, Lednice-Valtice complex, Kromneriz, Olomouc and Holašovice in South Bohemia.
Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. At the beginning of the 19th century, there were 103 towers in it, and thus the city acquired the name “City of the Hundred Towers”. Currently, there are more than 500 of them.
The Czech Republic is attractive for its spa and recreational opportunities. Karlovy Vary and the treatment in its spa hotels are very popular. The second most popular spa town is Marianske Lazne.
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, a traditional European cultural center, a venue for many well-known events of global significance (international music festivals Prague Spring and Prague Autumn, Prague International Organ Music Festival, Prague Writers’ Forum, International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival “One Peace ”, Prague Festival of Experimental Art, World Festival of Gypsy Art and others).Prague is a city of unique architecture: 5 central historical districts of Prague (Old Town, including Josefov, New Town, Hradcany, Malaya Strana, Vysehrad) in 1993 were included in the list of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites as an architectural and historical reserve.
Brno is one of the main economic centers of the country, the former capital of Moravia, the site of the International Industrial Fairs (since 1926), the center of science, education and culture (here is the branch of the Czech Academy of Sciences, the University ofT.G. Masaryk, Academy of Musical Arts. L. Janacek, City Museum, Moravian Gallery, Art and Industry Museum, National Technical Museum, etc.). In Brno, there is the Villa Tugendhat (built in 1929-1930 by the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, a UNESCO protected area). Not far from Brno is the settlement of Slavkov, where the famous Battle of Austerlitz took place.
Ostrava is a large industrial city in the Czech Republic, where the country’s metallurgical industry is concentrated (Evraz Vítkovice Steel, Vítkovice Machinery Group).
Pilsen is the industrial, commercial, cultural and administrative center of Western Bohemia. The city is home to a number of enterprises – the “locomotives” of the Czech economy, including Škoda Jaderné Strojírenství and Škoda Transportation. Pilsen is a brewing center (Gambrinus, Plzeňský prazdroj).
Spa and wellness centers: Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne, Frantiskovy Lazne, Jachymov, Štramberk, Darkov, Jesenik.
Cultural Monuments inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: 90,086
– Brno – Villa Tugendhat
– Cesky Krumlov – historical center
– Holašovice – traditional village
– Kutná Hora – historical center
– Lednice-Valtice area
– Kromneriz – archbishop’s castle, gardens “Podzamkovy”, “Flower”
– Litomyšl – Renaissance chateau
– Olomouc – Baroque Column of the Holy Trinity
– Prague – historic center
– Telč – historical center
– Trebic – Jewish quarter, St.Prokop
– Zdar nad Sazavou – Church of St. John of Nepomuk
UNESCO Biosphere Reservations:
– Krkonose National Park
– National park and protected area Šumava
– Třebosko
– Palava
– Krshivoklatsko
– White Carpathians
Great artists: the Czech Republic is known for such people as composers Bedřich Smetana and Antonin Dvořák, singer Karel Gott. The physician Josef Becher, who created the healing liqueur Becherovka almost two hundred years ago, the writer Jan Neruda, Karel Čapek, the film director Vera Khitilova, animators Jiri Trnka and Karel Zeeman, and the Oscar-winning director Jiri Menzel glorified their homeland.The humorous traditions of Jarosalva Hasek were continued by Bohumil Hrabal.
Writers:
Karel Czapek (1890-1938) – “The War with the Salamanders”, “The Macropulus Means”
Jan Neruda (1834-1891) – “Little Stories”
Jaroslav Hasek (1883-1923) – “The Adventures of the Gallant Soldier Schweik”
Joseph Shkvoretsky (born 1924, currently lives in Canada), Tank Corps
Bohumil Hrabal (1914-1997) “Special Trains”, “I Served the King of England”
Milan Kundera (b.1929, in n. time. lives in France) “Joke”, “Immortality”, “Waltz Farewell”, “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”
Composers:
Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884) – Operas “The Bartered Bride”, “Libuše”, the symphonic cycle “My Homeland”
Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) – Opera “Mermaid”, cycle “Slavic Dances”
Leos Janacek (1854-1928) – Operas Enufa, Katya Kabanova
Artists:
Alphonse Mucha, one of the most famous representatives of the Art Nouveau style (1860-1939), The Slav Epic cycle, posters and posters
František Kupka, Orphism Representative in Abstract Painting (1871-1957), Two-Color Fugue, Cosmic Spring
Sculptors:
Josef Vaclav Myslbek (1848-1922) – Statue of St.Wenceslas on Wenceslas Square in Prague, the sculptural composition “Přemysl and Libuše” on Vysehrad in Prague
Ladislav Šaloun (1870-1946) – Monument to Jan Hus on the Old Town Square in Prague, bust on the grave of Antonin Dvořák
Filmmakers: 90,086
Vera Khitilova (b. 1929), “Daisies”
Jiří Menzel (b. 1938) “Special Trains”, “Capricious Summer”, “The Life and Extraordinary Adventures of the Soldier Ivan Chonkin”, “I Served the King of England”
Milos Forman (b.1932, since 1968 lives in the USA) “The Amorous Adventures of a Blonde”, “Firemen’s Ball”
Some features of the Czech Republic
The oldest university in central Europe – Charles University – was founded on April 7, 1348 by Charles IV – Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia. The university is a member of the Association of European Universities along with Oxford, Leiden, Bonn, Sorbonne, Bologna and the University of Geneva.
Traditional Czech dishes include braised pork, fried goose, dozens of smoked meats, hams, hot chopped rolls of different types of meat and delicacies such as roe deer and fried hare.One of the most famous dishes of traditional Czech cuisine is “knee” – the leg of a pig baked in beer. Carp and trout dishes are very popular. As a side dish, most often, potatoes, stewed cabbage and the famous dumplings: potato or wheat, with bacon or other fillings are offered.
Among the sports in which the Czechs traditionally occupy a leading position are hockey, football, certain types of athletics, skiing and many others. The whole world knows the names of famous Czech athletes, such as Emil Zatopek, Jan Zelezny, Kateřina Neumanova, Dominik Hasek, Pavel Nedved, Jaromir Jagr and others.
The tallest building in Prague is St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle. Prague Castle is a well-fortified fortress in the past. The castle was built over the course of centuries. Czech castles are the most visited in the world.
The first fruit yoghurts in the world appeared in 1933 in the Czech Republic.
Czech Republic (information and analytical note)
Czech Republic (Czech Republic, Czech Republic) is a state in Central Europe, bordered by Germany, Slovakia, Austria and Poland.
Established on January 1, 1993after the division of Czechoslovakia. Administratively, the Chechen Republic is divided into 14 subjects (13 regions and the city of Prague). The territory of the Czech Republic is 78.9 thousand km2. The Czech landscape is very diverse. The western part (Bohemia) lies in the basins of the Laba (Elbe) and Vltava (Moldau) rivers, surrounded mainly by low mountains (the Sudetes and their part – the Krkonoše), where the highest point of the country – Mount Snezka with a height of 1,602 m is located. Moravia, eastern part , also quite hilly and mainly lies in the basin of the Morava (Markh) river, and also contains the source of the Odra (Oder) river.Rivers from the landlocked Czech Republic flow into three seas: the North, Baltic and Black.
The climate is temperate, with warm summers and cold, cloudy and humid winters, determined by a mixture of maritime and continental influences. The weather in the Czech Republic in summer is quite stable and pleasant, since the mountains surrounding the Czech Republic along the entire perimeter do not allow the penetration of winds.
Administrations of self-governing regions
Flag of the Czech Republic Coat of arms of the Czech Republic
The national flag consists of white upper and lower red stripes with a blue wedge between them.
Coat of arms – a shield divided into four squares: in two squares there is an image of a symbol of the Czech lands of a lion, in two others – symbols of other historical territories of modern Bohemia – red-silver Moravian and black Silesian eagles.
The capital is Prague (1.2 million inhabitants).
The official language is Czech.
The monetary unit is the Czech crown (since 1993). As of September 11, 2013 – 1 USD = 19.5 Czech. CZK (exchange rate statistics are available on the website of the Czech National Bank (ČNB) – www.cnb.cz).
The head of state is the President (since March 8, 2013 – Milos Zeman).
Government
Czech Republic – Parliamentary Republic.
In accordance with the Constitution of the Czech Republic, the head of state is the President of the Czech Republic, who is elected for 5 years by direct elections. The president has limited constitutional powers.
Following the results of the second round of elections on January 25-26, 2013, Milos Zeman was elected President of the Czech Republic.
The highest legislative body is the Parliament of the Czech Republic, which consists of two chambers – the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
The Senate (the upper house of Parliament) consists of 81 senators who are elected for 6 years, with a third of the Senate and its President being re-elected every 2 years.
The Chamber of Deputies (the lower house of Parliament) consists of 200 deputies elected for a 4-year term.
Population – 10.5 million people. The bulk of the population of the Czech Republic (95%) is made up of ethnic Czechs and people who speak the Czech language. Foreigners make up about 4% of the country’s population. Among immigrants, the largest diaspora in the Czech Republic is made up of Ukrainians, of whom 126.5 thousand lived in the country at the end of 2007.In second place are Slovaks (67 thousand), many of whom, after the separation in 1993, remained in the Czech Republic and make up approximately 2% of the population. The third place is occupied by the citizens of Vietnam (51 thousand). They are followed by the citizens of Russia (23 thousand) and Poland (20 thousand). Other ethnic groups include Germans, Roma, Hungarians, and Jews. The border between the Czech Republic and Slovakia is open to citizens of the former Czechoslovakia.
History:
Before the arrival of the Slavs in the IV century BC, the region was inhabited by Celtic tribes (one of which was called “Boev”, from which the historical name of the Czech Republic – Bohemia).According to the existing legend, the ancestors of the Czechs, led by their leader named Cech, were amazed at the beauty of the land they found and decided to settle in the territory of modern Bohemia, which, as archaeological excavations show, was inhabited in the Stone Age.
Czech statehood dates back to the 9th century, when principalities were formed on the territory of what is now Bohemia and Moravia, and by the end of the 11th century the Bohemian Kingdom was formed. Its heyday came in the middle of the XIV century, when the country was ruled by Karel IV, the Czech king and emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.Prague is home to the oldest university in Central Europe – Charles University, which was founded on April 7, 1348. Feudal strife, religious strife, European dynastic wars gradually led to the decline of the Czech crown lands. After being defeated in battle in 1620, the Czech lands lost their independence and were part of the Habsburg Empire for almost 300 years.
As a result of the collapse of this state after the First World War, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Subcarpathian Rus united and formed the independent republic of Czechoslovakia in 1918.A fairly large ethnic German minority lived in this country, which was the reason for the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, when Germany achieved the annexation of the Sudetenland as a result of the Munich Agreement of 1938, which led to the separation of Slovakia. The remaining Czech state was occupied by Germany in 1939 (Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia).
After World War II, Czechoslovakia fell into the Soviet sphere of influence. In 1968, the introduction of the Warsaw Pact troops put an end to the attempts of the country’s leaders under the leadership of A.Dubcek to liberalize party rule and create “socialism with a human face” during the Prague Spring.
In 1989. Czechoslovakia deviated from the path of socialist development as a result of the “velvet” revolution. On January 1, 1993, the country peacefully divided into two parts, with the formation of the independent states of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Religion: According to the survey, 59% of Czech citizens do not believe in God. The largest number of believers are Catholics (26.8% of the population), the next largest group is Protestants (2.five%). There are also supporters of the Czech Reformed Church, which broke away from the Vatican in 1920. There are also Christian communities of other denominations, the largest of which is the Hussite Church, which emerged as an independent church after the break with the Roman Catholic Church in 1920. The Czech Orthodox Church, to which 3% of the total number of believers belong, is subordinate to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
Most believers are in Moravia, slightly less in the east and south of the Czech Republic.The largest percentage of atheists is in large cities, especially in North Bohemia.
Public Holidays:
January 1 – Day of renewal of the independent Czech state
May 8 – Liberation Day
July 5 – Day of the Slavic Enlighteners Cyril and Methodius
July 6 – Burning Day of Jan Hus
September 28 – Day of Czech Statehood
October 28 – Day of the formation of an independent Czechoslovak state
November 17 – Day of Struggle for Freedom and Democracy
Other holidays and days off:
January 1 – New Year
Catholic Easter (date varies according to the church calendar)
Post-Easter Monday
May 1 – Labor Day
December 24 – Christmas Eve
December 25 – Christmas (1st Christmas Day)
December 26 – Christmas (2nd Christmas Day)
Memorable dates:
January 27 – Holocaust Remembrance Day and Prevention of Atrocities Against Humanity
March 8 – International Women’s Day
March 12 – Day of the Czech Republic’s accession to NATO
May 5 – Day of the May Uprising in 1945
June 27 – Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Communist Regime
November 11 – Day of Military Veterans
The Czech Republic participates in the work of more than 60 international economic, 4 financial organizations and one interstate association.The most important for the development of the Czech economy is its membership in the EU, WTO, OECD, as well as participation in the work of the IMF and the World Bank.
From the moment of the Czech Republic’s membership in the EU (01.05.2004), all multilateral regional and bilateral trade agreements concluded earlier by it have been terminated. The Czech Republic, as a member of the EU, is fully subject to bilateral and multilateral, as well as regional trade agreements concluded by the European Union, including preferential agreements.
Economy
Among all the post-communist states, the Czech Republic has one of the most stable and successful economic systems (in this group of states, the Czech Republic is in first place in Europe in terms of economic development and investment inflow).The country is not rich in minerals and reserves of mineral raw materials, except for coal. The main industries are fuel and energy, metallurgy, mechanical engineering (automotive, power equipment, machine tools, electrical engineering), chemical, textile and food industries.
The modern Czech economy is based on a highly developed industry and energy complex, which account for almost a third of the country’s GDP, as well as a stable financial sector and highly productive and mechanized agriculture.Agricultural production accounts for about 2.6% of the Czech Republic’s GDP, while the country is fully self-sufficient in basic types of food. In the economic structure of the Czech Republic, the manufacturing and transport sectors prevail over the services sector.
The Czech Republic ranks 45th in the world economy, being a member of more than 60 international economic and financial organizations. The industry of the Czech Republic produces about 0.3% of the world’s gross output. More than 70% of large enterprises in the Czech Republic are fully or partially owned by multinational and foreign companies.
The country’s GDP in 2013 at purchasing power parity amounted to US $ 285.6 billion, GDP at the exchange rate of US $ 194.8 billion, GDP per capita US $ 26.3 thousand. Inflation is 1.4%. Unemployment – 7.1%. USA. Exports – $ 161.4 billion, imports – $ 143.4 billion.
In 2013, the main trading partners of the Czech Republic were the EU countries, including Germany (31.8% of exports, 29.5% of imports), Slovakia (9.1% of exports, 7.4% of imports).
The bulk of the Czech Republic’s exports (more than half) are machinery, equipment and vehicles.The structure of Czech imports includes machinery, equipment, vehicles and processed products.
In general, the position of the Czech economy is largely determined by the state and development of its foreign economic relations, and especially relations with the FRG, since Germany is the largest trade and investment partner of the Czech Republic. Traditionally, the Czech economy is oriented towards foreign markets, where most of the country’s GDP is realized. In this regard, the consequences of the global financial and debt crisis have a direct negative impact on the political and economic situation in the Czech Republic.
The most tangible results were the results of the crisis in the metallurgical industry, where production volumes for individual industrial enterprises decreased by 25-30%, which, in turn, led to a reduction in jobs. Decreased coal production in Czech mines, which also led to a reduction in jobs and an increase in unemployment in the respective regions of the country. A number of enterprises, mainly in the textile, light and food industries, were forced to stop production altogether and declare their bankruptcy.Among them were enterprises of traditionally Czech industries: footwear, clothing and glass industries.
Due to a decrease in the volume of government purchases and government orders, as well as expectations of a decrease in living standards due to stagnation of wages, an increase in the value added tax rate on food, an ambiguous pension reform, the domestic solvent demand for Czech products has significantly decreased. Thus, the dependence of the Czech economy on external uncontrollable factors has become even more aggravated, and the recovery from the crisis of some key industries with a traditionally high number of employees has slowed down.
Major cities of the Czech Republic
The most famous of the sights are the historical center of Prague, Kutná Hora, Cesky Krumlov, Telč, the temple of the wanderers of St. John from Nepomuk on Zelena Gora, located near diar nad Sazavou, Lednice-Valtice complex, Kromneriz, Olomouc and Holašovice in South Bohemia.
Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. At the beginning of the 19th century, there were 103 towers in it, and thus the city acquired the name “City of the Hundred Towers”. Currently, there are more than 500 of them.
The Czech Republic is attractive for its spa and recreational opportunities. Karlovy Vary and the treatment in its spa hotels are very popular. The second most popular spa town is Marianske Lazne.
Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic, a traditional European cultural center, a venue for many well-known events of global significance (international music festivals Prague Spring and Prague Autumn, Prague International Organ Music Festival, Prague Writers’ Forum, International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival “One Peace ”, Prague Festival of Experimental Art, World Festival of Gypsy Art and others).Prague is a city of unique architecture: 5 central historical districts of Prague (Old Town, including Josefov, New Town, Hradcany, Malaya Strana, Vysehrad) in 1993 were included in the list of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites as an architectural and historical reserve.
Brno is one of the main economic centers of the country, the former capital of Moravia, the site of the International Industrial Fairs (since 1926), the center of science, education and culture (here is the branch of the Czech Academy of Sciences, the University ofT.G. Masaryk, Academy of Musical Arts. L. Janacek, City Museum, Moravian Gallery, Art and Industry Museum, National Technical Museum, etc.). In Brno, there is the Villa Tugendhat (built in 1929-1930 by the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, a UNESCO protected area). Not far from Brno is the settlement of Slavkov, where the famous Battle of Austerlitz took place.
Ostrava is a large industrial city in the Czech Republic, where the country’s metallurgical industry is concentrated (Evraz Vítkovice Steel, Vítkovice Machinery Group).
Pilsen is the industrial, commercial, cultural and administrative center of Western Bohemia. The city is home to a number of enterprises – the “locomotives” of the Czech economy, including Škoda Jaderné Strojírenství and Škoda Transportation. Pilsen is a brewing center (Gambrinus, Plzeňský prazdroj).
Spa and wellness centers: Karlovy Vary, Marianske Lazne, Frantiskovy Lazne, Jachymov, Štramberk, Darkov, Jesenik.
Cultural Monuments inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: 90,086
– Brno – Villa Tugendhat
– Cesky Krumlov – historical center
– Holašovice – traditional village
– Kutná Hora – historical center
– Lednice-Valtice area
– Kromneriz – archbishop’s castle, gardens “Podzamkovy”, “Flower”
– Litomyšl – Renaissance chateau
– Olomouc – Baroque Column of the Holy Trinity
– Prague – historic center
– Telč – historical center
– Trebic – Jewish quarter, St.Prokop
– Zdar nad Sazavou – Church of St. John of Nepomuk
UNESCO Biosphere Reservations:
– Krkonose National Park
– National park and protected area Šumava
– Třebosko
– Palava
– Krshivoklatsko
– White Carpathians
Great artists: the Czech Republic is known for such people as composers Bedřich Smetana and Antonin Dvořák, singer Karel Gott. The physician Josef Becher, who created the healing liqueur Becherovka almost two hundred years ago, the writer Jan Neruda, Karel Čapek, the film director Vera Khitilova, animators Jiri Trnka and Karel Zeeman, and the Oscar-winning director Jiri Menzel glorified their homeland.The humorous traditions of Jarosalva Hasek were continued by Bohumil Hrabal.
Writers:
Karel Czapek (1890-1938) – “The War with the Salamanders”, “The Macropulus Means”
Jan Neruda (1834-1891) – “Little Stories”
Jaroslav Hasek (1883-1923) – “The Adventures of the Gallant Soldier Schweik”
Joseph Shkvoretsky (born 1924, currently lives in Canada), Tank Corps
Bohumil Hrabal (1914-1997) “Special Trains”, “I Served the King of England”
Milan Kundera (b.1929, in n. time. lives in France) “Joke”, “Immortality”, “Waltz Farewell”, “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”
Composers:
Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884) – Operas “The Bartered Bride”, “Libuše”, the symphonic cycle “My Homeland”
Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) – Opera “Mermaid”, cycle “Slavic Dances”
Leos Janacek (1854-1928) – Operas Enufa, Katya Kabanova
Artists:
Alphonse Mucha, one of the most famous representatives of the Art Nouveau style (1860-1939), The Slav Epic cycle, posters and posters
František Kupka, Orphism Representative in Abstract Painting (1871-1957), Two-Color Fugue, Cosmic Spring
Sculptors:
Josef Vaclav Myslbek (1848-1922) – Statue of St.Wenceslas on Wenceslas Square in Prague, the sculptural composition “Přemysl and Libuše” on Vysehrad in Prague
Ladislav Šaloun (1870-1946) – Monument to Jan Hus on the Old Town Square in Prague, bust on the grave of Antonin Dvořák
Filmmakers: 90,086
Vera Khitilova (b. 1929), “Daisies”
Jiří Menzel (b. 1938) “Special Trains”, “Capricious Summer”, “The Life and Extraordinary Adventures of the Soldier Ivan Chonkin”, “I Served the King of England”
Milos Forman (b.1932, since 1968 lives in the USA) “The Amorous Adventures of a Blonde”, “Firemen’s Ball”
Some features of the Czech Republic
The oldest university in central Europe – Charles University – was founded on April 7, 1348 by Charles IV – Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia. The university is a member of the Association of European Universities along with Oxford, Leiden, Bonn, Sorbonne, Bologna and the University of Geneva.
Traditional Czech dishes include braised pork, fried goose, dozens of smoked meats, hams, hot chopped rolls of different types of meat and delicacies such as roe deer and fried hare.One of the most famous dishes of traditional Czech cuisine is “knee” – the leg of a pig baked in beer. Carp and trout dishes are very popular. As a side dish, most often, potatoes, stewed cabbage and the famous dumplings: potato or wheat, with bacon or other fillings are offered.
Among the sports in which the Czechs traditionally occupy a leading position are hockey, football, certain types of athletics, skiing and many others. The whole world knows the names of famous Czech athletes, such as Emil Zatopek, Jan Zelezny, Kateřina Neumanova, Dominik Hasek, Pavel Nedved, Jaromir Jagr and others.
The tallest building in Prague is St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle. Prague Castle is a well-fortified fortress in the past. The castle was built over the course of centuries. Czech castles are the most visited in the world.
The first fruit yoghurts in the world appeared in 1933 in the Czech Republic.
Another aggravation of the “Russian-Czech friendship”
The head of the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Prague Andrei Konchakov and his subordinate Igor Rybakov were declared persona non grata in the Czech Republic and sent to Moscow.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Tomáš Petříček, stressed during a special press conference that his country resorts to such measures only in exceptional cases and after careful consideration of all the circumstances of the case.
And Czech Prime Minister Andrei Babis said that this incident damages Czech-Russian relations and added: “We are a sovereign state, and such actions on our territory are unacceptable.”
In turn, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Maria Zakharova, said that Moscow would take retaliatory measures that would not only be mirror-like and symmetrical.This was also confirmed by the director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergei Naryshkin, who called the actions of the Czech authorities “a very vile and vile provocation.”
Another stage in the complication of relations between the two countries began in April this year, when the Czech publication Respekt announced the arrival in the Czech capital of a man with a Russian diplomatic passport who had brought poison ricin to Prague. According to the newspaper, in this way it was planned to assassinate the mayor of Prague Zdenek Grzyb and the head of the Praha 6 metropolitan area Ondřej Kolář.
Later, the Czech authorities reported that the information about the delivery of poison from Moscow to Prague turned out to be fictitious, and the source of this fake was a letter sent by one of the employees of the Russian embassy to the Czech counterintelligence.
“We think this is an annoying episode that needs to be left in the past”
Co-director of Boris Nemtsov’s Prague Academic Center for Russian Studies at Charles University Marek Příhoda (Marek Příhoda) believes that there is not so much information about this incident in the Czech Republic itself.“The official announcement was very short and technical. The Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs took the floor. The prime minister said that it was a struggle between the staff of the (Russian) embassy and that this isolated incident could harm Czech-Russian relations. And the minister added that there was an attempt to negotiate discretely with the embassy, but it did not meet halfway, ”the Czech expert recalled in a conversation with a correspondent for the Russian service of the Voice of America.
This, in the opinion of the Parish, is the whole Czech view of this situation.As for Moscow’s response, it is Moscow’s co-director, Boris Nemtsov, who believes that it is capable of further complicating Moscow’s relations with Prague. And that’s why.
“Of course, the expulsion of diplomats is a very unpleasant incident, but this is just one of the links in the chain, where, for example, the dismantling of the monument to Marshal Konev is associated with the“ Russophobic policy ”of a part of the Czech political elite,” says Marek Prikhoda, adding that in Many Czechs were offended by the words of Russian officials that the Czech Republic is not pursuing an independent foreign policy, but is looking back at some “senior comrades.”This clearly implies the United States of America as the leading country within NATO, to which the Czech Republic also belongs.
“Thus, in Moscow, everything that happened is perceived as part of a“ conspiracy against Russia ”or“ global anti-Russian policy ”. We consider this an annoying episode that needs to be quickly left in the past and the topic closed. But on the other hand, there are accusations that we are working for the “enemies of Russia.” At the same time, the opinion of the Czech side is absolutely not taken into account.As a result, a theory arose in our country, which I personally do not adhere to, that all this was started by Moscow in order to return to the theme of the monument to Konev. And we even had an initiative to rename Marshal Konev Street. And the statements of Maria Zakharova are simply a lack of understanding that another country may have its own understanding of difficult moments in history, ”Marek Prykhoda is convinced.
“This is a monstrous stupidity, or a provocation”
An independent military-political expert living in Prague Yuri Fedorov recalls that there is a tradition in world diplomatic practice: when conflicts arise in bilateral relations that threaten further complications, it is customary to resolve the situation behind the scenes, without giving it international publicity.That is what the Czech side proposed in this case. “The Russian embassy and, I think, the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry said:“ No, we will fight to the last, all this is a provocation, terrible and unacceptable things, ”and so on. That is, everything that Maria Zakharova previously stated repeatedly. And the result was a scandal – Igor Rybakov and Andrey Konchakov had to leave, which, in my opinion, testifies to the monstrous incompetence of Russian diplomacy. Instead of solving problems as is customary in civilized countries, a scandal is ignited.And the Russian diplomatic mission in Prague and the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry are becoming the subject of ridicule and mockery. And, naturally, the person who wrote the denunciation, ”Fedorov describes the situation.
Commenting on this fact, the interlocutor of the Russian service of the Voice of America recalls that both in Soviet and Russian diplomatic practice there have been cases in the past when embassy employees wrote denunciations against each other. “But this is the first time that a denunciation was written to the counterintelligence of the host country.This has never happened before, in any case, I looked through the information and did not see anything like it. To behave this way is either some monstrous stupidity beyond common sense and a healthy psyche, or some kind of provocation, ”the expert throws up his hands.
Justifying the second version, Fedorov notes: “Put yourself in the shoes of the Czech counterintelligence – what if poisoning is really being prepared? And the calculation was that the Czechs would really stop Konchakov at the airport, subject him to a search, a monstrous diplomatic scandal would arise, and the Russian Foreign Ministry would ring all bells, accusing Prague of violating diplomatic immunity.This option is also possible, ”admits Yuri Fedorov. And he repeats that one cannot exclude the option with “the monstrous stupidity of one person who framed his department.”
“This does not improve our relations with either the Czech Republic or the European Union”
Associate Professor of the Department of European Studies, St. Petersburg State University Tatiana Romanova began her commentary by stating that Czech politicians in relation to Russia sometimes take opposite positions: “For example, the views of President Zeman differ from the views of most of the Czech political elite, and this aspect should be taken into account …And, as far as I understand, he has not yet said anything about this situation. At least I have not seen his assessments, ”she said in a conversation with a correspondent for the Russian service of the Voice of America.
As for the essence of the incident, Romanova notes: “Of course, we can only speculate about what happened, but for the Czech Republic and for the European Union as a whole, this is of secondary importance compared to the reputation Russia enjoys. , and with the image that, unfortunately, has developed in relation to Russia in most EU member states.
In this regard, any absurd story can be told about Russia, and there is a high probability that there will be those who will believe in it. ”
Tatiana Romanova admits that Russian diplomats joked about bringing ricin to Prague, addressing this “joke” to the Czech special services. And those, in turn, took this information seriously and for some time were engaged in checking it. Which subsequently caused a negative reaction from the government of the Czech Republic, which resulted in the expulsion of two Russian diplomats.
“This, of course, in no way improves our relations with either the Czech Republic or the European Union, but rather strengthens the negative image of Russia that has developed there.
And I do not think that this will greatly affect the future of relations between Russia and the EU, because it does not fundamentally change anything, except, I repeat, strengthening the negative image of Russia.
As for relations with the Czech Republic, this country is most likely strengthening the opinion that dialogue with Russia and its representatives at the moment is very difficult, if not impossible, ”concludes Tatyana Romanova, Associate Professor of the Department of European Studies at St. Petersburg State University.
90,000 LOOK / Why is Czech intelligence so valued by the United States in its work against Russia :: Society
Statements that the adviser to the head of Roscosmos Ivan Safronov worked for Czech intelligence caused almost a laugh from many – indeed, this is not the CIA or even the Mossad. However, it would be the height of naivety to underestimate the Czech special services. Why are the intelligence services of the countries of Eastern Europe so important for the recruitment of Russian citizens?
Ivan Safronov, an advisor to the general director of Roscosmos, former special correspondent for the newspapers Kommersant and Vedomosti, arrested on July 7, is accused of working for intelligence in the Czech Republic, said one of his lawyers, Ivan Pavlov.He also told the media that Safronov, according to the FSB Investigative Department, was recruited in 2012, and in 2017 “received an assignment” from the Czechs to collect information regarding the military-technical cooperation of the Russian Federation with the countries of the Middle East and Africa. The investigation considers the US intelligence services to be the ultimate recipient of the information, since the Czech intelligence is completely under their control.
On the morning of July 8, in an interview with Echo Moskvy, lawyer Pavlov said that “many people on the Internet today, as I’m looking, learned from this case that there are special services in the Czech Republic”.It is important. The point is that this is indeed a very widespread opinion. The CIA exists, MI6 is known mainly thanks to James Bond, but what kind of intelligence can the Czechs have? Tell us more about Mongolia. This is roughly akin to the general idea that espionage is only a genre of adventure literature and cinema.
In real life, everything is much more complicated. In our case, we are talking about UZSI – the Office of Foreign Relations and Information, the Czech version of foreign intelligence (there is also BIS – the Security and Information Service, counterintelligence, whose “fantastic” work we encountered during the recent “ricin scandal”).
The department itself historically grew out of the structure of the Soviet era, but since 1993 it has been repeatedly subjected to personnel lustrations in order to exclude from it all employees who had previously been in contact with the Soviet Union. Until the end, this was not possible due to the lack of a sufficient number of trained personnel. However, over time, the number of employees trained in the United States reached such a number that UZSI was successfully integrated into the Western and specifically into the NATO intelligence corporation.
All intelligence agencies of the “small” countries of Eastern Europe are to some extent dependent on the CIA and MI6. And not only in purely technical matters, but also in determining the priorities and goals of the activity. Hungary is a certain exception, but it is not critical for the approval of the general rule of the hierarchy of forces.
These intelligence structures, in fact, do not have any specific narrow national goals and objectives. Under the intelligence laws, they must first of all protect the national interests of their countries, but there are very few such special interests.By and large, the Czech Republic has no external threats at all and no obvious intelligence goals.
It is unlikely that they are conducting intelligence activities against their neighbors: Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Austria. Prague has no independent priorities in the “far abroad”, somewhere in the Middle East, in China, in Africa. Yes, Prague actively trades in arms, but intelligence support for arms deals is not quite the same as strategic intelligence. These are one-time promotions. But the Czechs do not produce weapons that are competitive with the Russian ones.In principle, they do not need information about Russian arms contracts in the far abroad.
The resources of the Czech foreign intelligence are 90% subordinate to the strategic interests of supranational structures – NATO, the European Union and, separately, the United States. Goals and objectives are descended “from above” (from Langley or from London) according to the order. This is called “strategic cooperation”.
Why is it so effective? Yes, precisely because of the attitude towards the Czech Republic as a quiet Central European tourist paradise, in which nothing happens and from which no threat can come.Prague streets, Hail, beer, dumplings. Romantic tours for Christmas. A very large Russian diaspora, consisting mainly of random people who just like to live there. Hospitable and in their own way pretty Czechs, for the most part, do not cause domestic wariness.
A person who is related to something important or secret, or is in the recruiting risk group, is more likely to talk to a conventional Czech (in a broad sense, generally to a resident of Eastern Europe or the post-Soviet space) than to an American.Very comfortably. Delegation of undercover intelligence to the grassroots level.
This position, with various variations, is present in the activities of almost all intelligence structures of “small” countries. There are, of course, specifics. The intelligence services of the Baltic countries, which are essentially local branches of the CIA and MI6, operate either in the border area or in the electronic sphere. In addition, the countries of the post-Soviet space are comfortable playing on family ties or conventionally Soviet nostalgia.Scandinavians specialize in the Arctic.
Hungarians in the 1990s tried to play on fanning Finno-Ugric nationalism in some Russian regions, but they failed. And now they have too many problems of their own, including in external directions, for example, in Romania, Ukraine, Serbia and Slovakia, which actually turned off Hungarian intelligence from some games against Russia. In this regard, Hungary is the only “small” country in Eastern Europe that has specific national goals in the region, primarily the struggle for the rights of compatriots in neighboring countries.And ideological friction with the European Union made its intelligence conditionally “unreliable” for conducting coordinated joint actions in third countries.
In Romania, structures of military intelligence, rather than strategic intelligence, have recently been very active, which is associated with the movement there of a large American military contingent around the missile defense / air defense base. Traditionally, Poles are active, but their activity is now declining due to just a sharp change in the image of Poland in the eyes of Russians. Warsaw’s aggressive rhetoric made contact with anyone from there unattractive.
Although relapses do happen. As a result, either people who are highly motivated for this, or ethnic Romanians / Moldovans living in Russia (the case of Turcan), or people with Polish roots, come into contact with Romanians and Poles. There is no other motivation in these cases, if we forget about the “selfish motive”. The pro-NATO countries of the former Yugoslavia – Slovenia and Croatia – were completely left out of this process. Serbia is important for them, and they are unlikely to find Russia on the map for all its sizes.
So it turns out that it was the Czech intelligence, like the Slovak and Bulgarian ones, who became the main conductors of the US intelligence operations against Russia.
This is not even an organizational moment, but a purely psychological one. Let us repeat: many really believe that intelligence in “small” countries is not even clowning, but simply an image component. A self-respecting country is obliged to have foreign intelligence, but in the case of “small” countries, this is supposedly a purely fake thing, a necessary, expensive, but on the whole, almost a fake element of the state machine.
It doesn’t matter that there are already twelve floors in the UZSI building on Strzhelnichnaya Street – are they all occupied with something inside? Does Lithuania have an army that is smaller than six incomplete battalions? There is.Why is it needed – it is not clear. This means that intelligence is just as semi-mythical. In practice, this is not at all the case.
A separate story – about front organizations. Safronov’s support group has already begun to hint that he might not know who he was dealing with.
This, they say, the FSB claims that his counterparty was a “special service representative”, and Ivan Safronov could think that he was dealing with a journalist, a charitable or humanitarian organization, or a scientific structure. And the “selfish motive” is getting a completely legal fee.Here everyone is either cunning or thinks that the children around are small, including Safronov himself. A man did not grow up in the taiga, he almost as a child moved in a certain environment, he had to be aware of what a “cover operation” is, how all this is done in practice.
The Soviet Union, by the way, used the resources of the KGB / MGB of the Warsaw Pact countries in exactly the same way (the names were different, but the essence is the same), as the Americans do now. And psychologically it was just as justified and motivated: the intelligence services of Western countries and individual recruited citizens were much easier to make contact with the same Czechs, Bulgarians and Poles than with the citizens of the USSR.The phenomenon is absolutely the same genesis, and the effect of it is similar.
You shouldn’t laugh at UZSI now. Yes, without the technical support of the CIA, they can do little, but at the grassroots level, psychologically, their position is very serious. And this is not a compliment, but a statement of fact.
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