The last thing I wanted to do was follow my previous post with another downer, but once again reality gets in the way. Today at around 4.30 Moscow Time, Moscow's (and Russia's) largest and busiest airport, Domodedovo, was the target of what by all indications was a terrorist attack. Early reports indicate that a device containing at least 7kg of TNT was used to create a massive explosion in the international arrivals area of the airport. At least 35 have already been confirmed dead.
For those of you that might not have been informed of my return from Moscow, rest assured that I am safe in Petrozavodsk. As far as I've heard, no Fulbrighters or friends were affected by the attack; let's cross our fingers it stays that way. This is a tragic and chilling event, given that I was in Moscow just two days ago and I know many of my friends were passing through Domodedovo on their way back to their various locations. Unfortunately, despite their lack of publicity in the West, these kinds of terror attacks have become all too common in Russia. Depending on whom you ask, this airport bombing is Russia's seventh terror attack since 2004, totaling hundreds of deaths during that time.
I can only hope that we as an international community can come together in the aftermath of such a tragedy. That this strike came at Russia's main international airport stresses that this is not just a domestic problem but part of the global issue of terrorism. I want this blog to remain about culture and life, not politics, so I won't make any suggestions or bold plans of action. I think it uncontroversial enough to simply say that I'm pulling for all those affected by the blast, and I hope we can work together starting now to minimize these tragedies in the future.
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