All Articles - Institute of Modern Russia

They Chose Freedom Presented at Pushkin House

Details: News

They Chose Freedom Presented at Pushkin House

Details: 06 June 2014

On June 3, Pushkin House in London hosted a screening of They Chose Freedom, a documentary film on the Soviet dissident movement. Following the screening, legendary Russian dissident Vladimir Bukovsky and the film’s director, IMR Senior Advisor Vladimir Kara-Murza, discussed the historical lessons of confronting totalitarianism and the present-day situation in Russia.

VSKhSON: the “Russian Path” to Freedom

Details: Nation

VSKhSON: the “Russian Path” to Freedom

Details: 05 June 2014; Alexander Yanov

The Institute of Modern Russia continues its series of articles by well-known historian Alexander Yanov on the history of Russian nationalism in the Soviet Union. In this essay, the author analyzes the ideology of VSKhSON—the All-Russian Social-Christian Union for the Liberation of the People.

Ukraine: At a Crossroads Once More

Details: Politics

Ukraine: At a Crossroads Once More

Details: 03 June 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

On May 25 Ukraine held presidential elections to stabilize the country and resolve a serious political crisis. Political analyst Tatyana Stanovaya summarizes the outcome of these elections and analyzes the political challenges that face the president-elect.

The Kremlin’s Bargaining Chip

Details: Politics

The Kremlin’s Bargaining Chip

Details: 03 June 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

The crisis in eastern Ukraine is still developing. The results of the referenda that took place on May 11 show that the majority of residents of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions support secession from Ukraine. According to political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya, unlike the Crimean referendum, the voting in Donetsk and Luhansk is a risky game, the outcome of which is still hard to predict.

Ukraine Crisis Discussed at NYU

Details: News

Ukraine Crisis Discussed at NYU

Details: 02 June 2014

On May 29, the Ukrainian-American human rights organization Razom held a panel discussion entitled “The Evolving Crisis in Ukraine: Its Global Implications” at New York University (NYU). Participants in the panel included coauthors of Razom’s report on the Ukraine crisis; American analyst and columnist Paul A. Goble; and representatives of the Permanent Missions of Lithuania and Georgia to the United Nations. Mary Holland, Director of the Graduate Legal Skills Program and Research Scholar at NYU School of Law, moderated.

The Russian State Duma “Cares” about Children

Details: Politics

The Russian State Duma “Cares” about Children

Details: 01 June 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

In early May, Arkady Ponomarev, a member of the United Russia Party’s faction of the Russian State Duma, introduced a bill that would ban the dissemination of information that “distorts patriotism” among children. According to writer Alexander Podrabinek, teaching “correct” patriotism in schools will be accompanied by restrictions to any ideology alien to the current government.

How Legitimate Are Referenda on Independence?

Details: Law

How Legitimate Are Referenda on Independence?

Details: 27 May 2014; Juliana Demesheva

The referendum that was held on the Crimea joining Russia, as well as the referenda on establishing Donetsk and Luhansk as “people’s republics,” raises the critical issue of the legitimacy of such separatist popular votes. Constitutional law expert and professor at the Higher School of Economics Juliana Demesheva explains the concept of a referendum and clarifies which referenda can be considered legitimate.

Useless Parliament

Details: Politics

Useless Parliament

Details: 20 May 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

For its hasty issuance of poorly written laws, the Russian State Duma is often called a “mad printer.” According to writer and journalist Alexander Podrabinek, the current Russian parliament is made up of deputies whose only aims are to please the president and retain their deputy status.

Putin’s Ukrainian Roulette

Details: Politics

Putin’s Ukrainian Roulette

Details: 17 May 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

The unpredictability of Russian president Vladimir Putin has long worried the Western world. But the problem has become particularly evident in the context of the Ukrainian crisis, during which the official position of the Kremlin has changed repeatedly. Political analyst Tatyana Stanovaya speculates on Putin’s plans for Ukraine.

Nationalism in Soviet Russia: The New Wave

Details: Nation

Nationalism in Soviet Russia: The New Wave

Details: 16 May 2014; Alexander Yanov

The Institute of Modern Russia continues its series of articles by well-known historian Alexander Yanov dedicated to the history of Russian nationalism in the Soviet Union. In this essay, the author discusses the change of the cultural code in the 1960s and the revival of nationalism in Soviet Russia.

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