With the Russian spies being sent home, Clifford J. Levy wondered if they'd miss the comforts of U.S.-style suburban living. What he found is that today's Russia has imitated the way of life, including gated communities with American names.
Levy writes, "If Richard and Cynthia Murphy (now exposed as Vladimir and Lydia Guryev) are homesick for Montclair, N.J., they can peruse the brochures for gated communities in the Moscow region. They might fancy Linden Park or Greenfield, or others with names right out of an American atlas, not to mention architectural touches that would warm the heart of any American striver."
American products are now freely available as well: Tide, Pampers and Head & Shoulders shampoo are everywhere. But, Levy observes, the economic inequality hasn't changed and the American lifestyle isn't available to all.
FULL STORY: Time to Wake Up, Sleeper Spy
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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