Islet of Discontent

Russian pundits have expressed bewilderment over what prompted Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to make a repeat trip on Tuesday to one of the four Pacific Kuril islands claimed by Japan. Russian media have interpreted the premier’s visit as a way to personally oversee the Kremlin’s ambitious program to develop the Russian Far East. Still, most political analysts said the visit, which could unearth old tensions and re-ignite a low-intensity conflict, is unwarranted and “a largely symbolic gesture.”