All Articles - Institute of Modern Russia

Has Russia Abandoned the Path to Democracy?

Details: News

Has Russia Abandoned the Path to Democracy?

Details: 05 November 2014

On October 30, the National Endowment for Democracy held a round table discussion entitled “Is Democracy Possible in Russia?” According to participants, in light of current political developments, it appears unlikely that Russia will become a democracy anytime soon.

The Mystery of Veche’s Demise

Details: Nation

The Mystery of Veche’s Demise

Details: 03 November 2014; Alexander Yanov

The Institute of Modern Russia concludes its series of articles by well-known scholar Alexander Yanov on the history of Russian nationalism in the USSR. In this essay, the author discusses in depth the nationalist ideology of Alexander Sevastyanov, who has proposed a solution that he claims could have prevented the dramatic demise of one of the largest samizdat magazines.

Details: Politics

Double Loss

Details: 03 November 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

On October 20, Christophe de Margerie, CEO of French energy giant Total, was killed in a plane crash at Vnukovo Airport in Moscow. According to political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya, Russia lost not only a business partner and a supporter in the international arena in this tragic accident, but also a successful example of a business model unfettered by politics.

Details: World

A Cold Peace?

Details: 30 October 2014; Donald N. Jensen

Russia’s relationship with the West seems to have hit its lowest point since the Cold War, with rhetoric becoming tougher and more emotional on both sides. According to Donald N. Jensen, resident fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations, in the standoff with Europe, Vladimir Putin is unlikely to blink first.

How to Counter the Kremlin’s Information War

Details: News

How to Counter the Kremlin’s Information War

Details: 30 October 2014

On October 30, the Legatum Institute will host a conference titled “The Menace of Unreality: Combating Russian Disinformation in the 21st Century.” Editor-in-chief of The Interpreter Michael Weiss and journalist Peter Pomerantsev, authors of the IMR’s upcoming report on the Kremlin’s information war, will participate in the discussion. The report will soon be published on imrussia.org and interpretermag.com.

State Ideology May Return to Russia

Details: Law

State Ideology May Return to Russia

Details: 28 October 2014; Juliana Demesheva

Since September, deputies’ signatures have been being collected in the State Duma to remove from the Russian Constitution the ban on state ideology and the principle of priority of international law over domestic legislation. Higher School of Economics professor and constitutional law specialist Juliana Demesheva reviews the suggested legislation.

Vladimir Putin’s Valdai Show

Details: Opinions

Vladimir Putin’s Valdai Show

Details: 28 October 2014; Olga Khvostunova

On the last day of the annual meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club, Vladimir Putin delivered a speech in which he accused the United States of attempting to establish a global dictatorship. Olga Khvostunova, editor-in-chief of imrussia.org, speculates that the Russian president might have been subconsciously speaking about himself.

Toomas Hendrik Ilves: “As soon as Russia becomes a democratic country, its best relationship will be with Estonia”

Details: World

Toomas Hendrik Ilves: “As soon as Russia becomes a democratic country, its best relationship will be with Estonia”

Details: 23 October 2014; Elena Servettaz

The recent dispute between Russia and Estonia over potential Estonian espionage has heightened tensions in the two countries’ relationship. It has also fueled public fears that Russia will annex Narva, a predominantly Russian-speaking border city of Estonia. However, Estonian president Toomas Hendrik Ilves believes that Vladimir Putin will not be able to replicate “the Crimean scenario” in his country. He explained his reasons in an exclusive interview with IMR’s Elena Servettaz.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky Speaks in Oslo in Defense of Russia’s Political Prisoners

Details: News

Mikhail Khodorkovsky Speaks in Oslo in Defense of Russia’s Political Prisoners

Details: 23 October 2014

On October 22, founder of the Open Russia movement Mikhail Khodorkovsky spoke at the 2014 Oslo Freedom Forum. His speech was dedicated to Russia’s political prisoners, in particular the “Bolotnaya Case” prisoners. The highlights of his speech are summarized by IMR.

Russian Schools: Feel the Difference

Details: Opinions

Russian Schools: Feel the Difference

Details: 23 October 2014; Olga Melnikova

Education reform has brought much chaos to the complex Russian education system. Holdovers from Soviet schools are mingled with issues arising from politics and the reforms themselves. Moscow journalist and mother of two Olga Melnikova shares her experience of the problems facing modern Russian schools.

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