All Articles - Institute of Modern Russia

Constitutionalism vs. the ‘Russian Matrix.’ Part 1

Details: Law

Constitutionalism vs. the ‘Russian Matrix.’ Part 1

Details: 22 September 2015; Vladimir Pastukhov

In the West, it is taken for granted that a nation needs a constitution in order to function. But Russia, in many ways, lives more by social codes than by the country’s Constitution. Does the country even need a constitution? If so, what can be done to make it work more effectively? Political scientist Vladimir Pastukhov, who holds a doctorate in political science and is a visiting fellow at St. Antony’s College of Oxford University, takes an in-depth look at Russian constitutionalism in part one of a periodic series.

Crisis in Emerging Markets: Is Russia Better Off Than Brazil?

Details: World

Crisis in Emerging Markets: Is Russia Better Off Than Brazil?

Details: 21 September 2015; Ezekiel Pfeifer

The BRIC nations have lost some of their luster recently, due to the crash in commodity prices and chronic low demand in the West. How does the economic situation in Russia compare to that in Brazil, India and China? In part one of a three-part series, IMR analyst Ezekiel Pfeifer compares Russia to Brazil, where the economy is strikingly similar to that of Russia but where the political system sets the country apart.

The Interpreter Report Spurs Fervent Discussion in Washington, D.C.

Details: News

The Interpreter Report Spurs Fervent Discussion in Washington, D.C.

Details: 18 September 2015

On September 17, staff members of IMR’s The Interpreter project led an impassioned discussion about Western policy toward Russia and Ukraine at the presentation of their new report, “An Invasion by Any Other Name: The Kremlin’s Dirty War in Ukraine,” in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.

Moscow’s Stance on Syria, Regional Elections, and U.S.-Soviet Friendship

Details: Media Must-Reads

Moscow’s Stance on Syria, Regional Elections, and U.S.-Soviet Friendship

12–18 September 2015

Details: 18 September 2015

Nikolay Kozhanov writes for Chatham House this week about Putin’s motives in boosting the Russian military presence to Syria. Also, Maxim Trudolyubov in The New York Times analyzes the Kremlin’s strategy of keeping tight control over regional elections.

IMR Releases The Interpreter Report ‘An Invasion by Any Other Name: The Kremlin’s Dirty War in Ukraine’

Details: News

IMR Releases The Interpreter Report ‘An Invasion by Any Other Name: The Kremlin’s Dirty War in Ukraine’

Details: 17 September 2015

The Institute of Modern Russia announces the official release of The Interpreter’s newest report titled “An Invasion by Any Other Name: The Kremlin’s Dirty War in Ukraine.” Staff of The Interpreter will join fellow Ukraine experts for the report’s official launch at the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C., on Thursday at 4 p.m.

Igor Sutyagin: ‘The Likelihood of War with the West, Alas, Is Far from Zero’

Details: Opinions

Igor Sutyagin: ‘The Likelihood of War with the West, Alas, Is Far from Zero’

Details: 15 September 2015; Olga Khvostunova

Over the last year, the rhetoric of war has increasingly colored discussions about relations between Russia and the West. More American and European military and political figures have started calling Russia the main threat to the security of their countries, and Moscow has ordered more large-scale military exercises than usual, in regions from the Arctic to the Far East. Igor Sutyagin, senior research assistant at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), spoke with Imrussia.org editor-in-chief Olga Khvostunova about the combat readiness of Russian forces and the prospect of a military conflict breaking out between Russia and the West.

Kadyrov, Putin, and the Whitewashing of the Nemtsov Investigation

Details: Politics

Kadyrov, Putin, and the Whitewashing of the Nemtsov Investigation

Details: 14 September 2015; Donald N. Jensen

Six months after the murder of Boris Nemtsov, it seems increasingly likely that the man suspected of ordering the killing will avoid criminal charges, thanks to his close connections to Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov. This protection granted to Kadyrov and his inner circle by Vladimir Putin could eventually result in a major crisis for the Russian government, argues Donald Jensen, resident fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations.

Crimea Costs, Ukraine Police Reform, and Russian Troops in Syria

Details: Media Must-Reads

Crimea Costs, Ukraine Police Reform, and Russian Troops in Syria

5–11 September 2015

Details: 11 September 2015

Ilan Berman writes in Foreign Affairs about the array of expensive problems Russia must fix in Crimea, including stubbornly entrenched corruption and outdated infrastructure. Also, Reid Standish in Foreign Policy examines the social media presence of Russian servicemen who are apparently aiding Bashar Assad’s forces in Syria.

Does Anyone Want Ukraine’s Donbass?

Details: World

Does Anyone Want Ukraine’s Donbass?

Details: 10 September 2015; Luke Johnson

Fighting between Ukraine and the Russian-backed rebels of Luhansk and Donetsk has quieted in recent weeks, but there is little clarity about the future of the two breakaway regions. Will Ukraine succeed in reintegrating them? Or will Russia attempt to annex them? The situation remains murky, but some meaningful clues exist regarding what might happen next to the war-torn territory, writes independent journalist Luke Johnson.

Bulgakov Diplomacy, U.S. Icebreakers, and Ukrainian Democracy Under Siege

Details: Media Must-Reads

Bulgakov Diplomacy, U.S. Icebreakers, and Ukrainian Democracy Under Siege

29 August – 4 September 2015

Details: 04 September 2015

In this week’s media highlights, writer Liesl Schillinger in Foreign Policy examines a Kremlin-backed project to produce a collection of Russian literature in English. Also, Andrew Revkin of The New York Times writes about U.S. and Russian activities in the Arctic.

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