All Articles - Institute of Modern Russia

Telegram Paradox, More of the Same Putin, Duma’s Counter-Sanctions

Details: Media Must-Reads

Telegram Paradox, More of the Same Putin, Duma’s Counter-Sanctions

Russian media roundup, April 27 – May 4, 2018

Details: 04 May 2018

Several stories took center stage in Russian politics this week. Roskomnadzor is trying to reinforce the Telegram ban across the country while many Russians push back against the restrictions on Internet freedom. With Putin’s inauguration to be held on May 7, experts continue the discussion of his fourth term. After the Duma introduced a new counter-sanctions bill and thus seized the initiative in Russia’s foreign policy development, the feuds inside the elites have intensified.

New Reality, After Syria, Telegram Ban

Details: Media Must-Reads

New Reality, After Syria, Telegram Ban

Russian media roundup, April 13-19, 2018

Details: 19 April 2018

In this week’s roundup: the Telegram ban was likely the most discussed development in the liberal corner of the Russian internet, while the rest of the political discussions focused mainly on the aftermath of the Syria strikes and the Kremlin’s plans to counter the latest round of U.S. sanctions.

Putin’s Choice, U.S. Sanctions, Skripal Debate, Syrian Crisis

Details: Media Must-Reads

Putin’s Choice, U.S. Sanctions, Skripal Debate, Syrian Crisis

Russian media roundup, April 6-12, 2018

Details: 12 April 2018

Vladimir Putin’s landslide victory at the March presidential elections has been rapidly overshadowed by a cascade of upsets both inside Russia and on the international arena: the Volokolamsk “landfill upheaval,” the Kemerovo fire, the Skripal affair, the U.S. sanctions list, and now the escalation with the West over a reported Syrian chemical attack. Here’s what these stories look like from Russia.

Putin’s Next Act

Details: Event Briefings

Putin’s Next Act

Details: 11 April 2018; Daniel Frey

On April 4th, the Brookings Institution hosted a panel discussion on what can be expected from Moscow as Vladimir Putin begins his fourth term in office. The participants included Vladimir Kara-Murza, Julia Ioffe, Strobe Talbott, and Angela Stent, who touched upon the most pressing issues facing Russia and the U.S. today, including the possibility of a new Cold War, the Skripal case, and the future of Putin’s presidency. Alina Polyakova moderated the discussion.

Magomedov Arrest, Kemerovo Aftermath, Putin’s Fourth Term

Details: Media Must-Reads

Magomedov Arrest, Kemerovo Aftermath, Putin’s Fourth Term

Russian media roundup, March 30—April 5, 2018

Details: 05 April 2018

In this week’s roundup: the arrest of billionaire Ziyavudin Magomedov is another example of the ongoing reshuffling in the Russian elite and an important piece in the current political feuding; the resignation of Aman Tuleyev, the long-term governor of the Kemerovo Oblast that suffered from a devastating fire, was another surprise of the week; discussions of Vladimir Putin’s next presidential term repeatedly come down to the “2024 problem.”

Diplomatic Fallout, Kemerovo Tragedy, Landfill Upheaval

Details: Media Must-Reads

Diplomatic Fallout, Kemerovo Tragedy, Landfill Upheaval

Details: 30 March 2018

Three stories dominated the news in Russia this week: the mass expulsion of Russian diplomats from dozens of Western countries, the horrific fire in the Siberian city of Kemerovo that claimed 64 lives, including 41 children, and the continuing protests to shut down a toxic landfill in the Moscow region of Volokolamsk. Here’s how these stories developed and what they mean in the Russian political context.

Elections Analysis, Lessons for the Opposition, What’s Next

Details: Media Must-Reads

Elections Analysis, Lessons for the Opposition, What’s Next

Details: 23 March 2018

This week’s roundup will be slightly shorter than usual. We are focusing on the results of the March 18 elections—the key takeaways, outlooks for Vladimir Putin’s next presidential term, and lessons for the democratic opposition.

Russia’s Elections, the “Novichok” Factor, Putin’s Lost Decade

Details: Media Must-Reads

Russia’s Elections, the “Novichok” Factor, Putin’s Lost Decade

Details: 16 March 2018

On March 18, Russia will hold presidential elections with a pre-determined result: Vladimir Putin is slated to win his fourth term with six more years in office. By then, barring some catastrophic event, he will have ruled Russia for almost 25 years. In the runup to the elections, independent Russian experts discuss the potential turnout, the results of Putin’s almost-two-decade rule so far, and his foreign policy messaging.

Michael Khodarkovsky: “Democracy in Russia Is Not Only Possible—It’s Inevitable”

Details: Opinions

Michael Khodarkovsky: “Democracy in Russia Is Not Only Possible—It’s Inevitable”

Details: 15 March 2018; Olga Khvostunova

As Vladimir Putin is about to be re-elected for another presidential term thus becoming one of the longest serving Russian leaders in history, IMR's Olga Khvostunova sat down with Michael Khodarkovsky, Professor of History at Loyola University Chicago, to discuss Putin's legacy, the lessons of the Russian Revolution, the Russian government's attempts to whitewash the past, and the country's outlook for the future. Given the length of this interview, it is published in two parts. Part one is available below; part two will be released next week.

Putin’s War, Miraculous Weapon, Conflict of Uniquenesses

Details: Media Must-Reads

Putin’s War, Miraculous Weapon, Conflict of Uniquenesses

The Russian media roundup, March 3-9, 2018

Details: 09 March 2018

In this week’s roundup, Alexander Rubtsov, Alexander Baunov, Vladimir Frolov and Dmitri Trenin discusses Vladimir Putin’s March 1 speech, focusing on various aspects—PR stunts, military technology, and foreign policy implications. And Mikhail Krutikhin writes about the potential for a new “gas war” between Gazprom and Europe.

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