That did not seem to fit very well with Mr Primakov's comments, or with the line taken by a third OVR leader, President Shaimiev of Tatarstan, who initially told the federal authorities he did not want any young Tatars to be conscripted to fight in the south.

BBC: Russia, bombs and elections

The closest the U.S. economy has come to a full-on bubble since the end of the recession has been in bonds, which soared last year as investors poured money into fixed income for lack of better options while the Fed allowed itself to be conscripted into the Treasury financing business through quantitative easing.

FORBES: The Krugman/Bernanke Gambit Is Up

He conscripted 30 of his most ardent fans to be "beta" readers who edit early drafts of his books for free.

WSJ: Wool: Sci-Fi's Underground Hit