All Articles - Institute of Modern Russia

Open Russia to Host Teleconference with Mikhail Khodorkovsky

Details: News

Open Russia to Host Teleconference with Mikhail Khodorkovsky

Details: 01 December 2014

On December 7, Open Russia will host a teleconference with Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who will discuss the recent municipal elections in St. Petersburg and his expectations for the 2016 parliamentary elections. This teleconference will launch Open Russia’s monthly series on current events around Russia.

David Kramer “Democratization in Russia Has to Come Internally”

Details: Opinions

David Kramer “Democratization in Russia Has to Come Internally”

Details: 01 December 2014; Denis Volkov

Prominent expert in democratic development David Kramer has recently finished his tenure as president of Freedom House and assumed the position of senior director for Human Rights and Freedom at the McCain Institute for International Leadership. In one of his last interviews as head of Freedom House, Kramer spoke with Levada Center sociologist Denis Volkov on the possibility of democracy in Russia.

Evgeny Kiselev: “Russian media are becoming showpieces from a Kunstkamera”

Details: Opinions

Evgeny Kiselev: “Russian media are becoming showpieces from a Kunstkamera”

Details: 26 November 2014; Olga Melnikova

Prominent TV presenter and star of the so-called “old” NTV channel, Evgeny Kiselev has been living and working in Kiev since 2008. He was one of the first Russian journalists who was forced out of Putin’s political system. Kiselev spoke with IMR’s Olga Melnikova about the future of journalism in Russia, Kremlin propaganda, his life as an emigrant, and his chances of returning to Russia.

Unnecessary Sacrifice

Details: Opinions

Unnecessary Sacrifice

Details: 24 November 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

Two-thirds of Russian citizens continue to support the food embargo imposed by the Russian government in August 2014 despite its negative impact on the country’s economy. According to writer Alexander Podrabinek, this phenomenon derives from a legacy of Soviet thinking, upbringing, and way of life.

IMR Report on Kremlin Information War Presented in Washington, D.C.

Details: News

IMR Report on Kremlin Information War Presented in Washington, D.C.

Details: 24 November 2014

On November 13, 2014, The Interpreter editor-in-chief Michael Weiss and journalist Peter Pomerantsev presented their report titled “The Menace of Unreality: How the Kremlin Weaponizes Information, Culture, and Money” at the National Endowment for Democracy’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Health Care Reform as a Catalyst for Progress

Details: Nation

Health Care Reform as a Catalyst for Progress

Details: 21 November 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

In early November, a number of health care professionals gathered in Moscow to protest the large-scale layoffs and closure of many health care centers that were triggered by the recent health care reform. According to political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya, this social unrest has the potential to spiral into a political crisis and become a domestic threat to the current regime.

Republican Congress to Push Harder Russia Line

Details: World

Republican Congress to Push Harder Russia Line

Details: 18 November 2014; Donald N. Jensen

On November 4 the Republican Party won control of the U.S. Senate, gaining the majority in both houses of Congress. According to Donald Jensen, resident fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations, Republican leaders are now likely to apply greater pressure to president Barack Obama to take a tougher stance on Russia and provide weapons to Ukraine.

Who is Troubled by Gay Propaganda?

Details: Law

Who is Troubled by Gay Propaganda?

Details: 10 November 2014; Ekaterina Mishina

In late September, the Russian Constitutional Court upheld a law banning gay propaganda, emphasizing that the ban is aimed at “protecting such constitutional values as family and childhood.” IMR advisor Ekaterina Mishina analyzes the background of this issue in Russia and the motives behind the Constitutional Court’s ruling.

IMR Report on Kremlin Information War To Be Launched in Washington, D.C.

Details: News

IMR Report on Kremlin Information War To Be Launched in Washington, D.C.

Details: 06 November 2014

On November 13, editor-in-chief of The Interpreter, Michael Weiss, and journalist Peter Pomerantsev will present their report titled “The Menace of Unreality: How the Kremlin Weaponizes Information, Culture, and Money” at the National Endowment for Democracy’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Russia Will Deport Refugees Back to North Korea

Details: Opinions

Russia Will Deport Refugees Back to North Korea

Details: 05 November 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

In early September of this year, the Russian government and the North Korean authorities prepared a bilateral agreement on the deportation of refugees. According to writer Alexander Podrabinek, the document does not mention either human rights or judicial protection for refugees. Refugees forced to return to North Korea will face execution.

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