All Articles - Institute of Modern Russia

The Approved Past: How History will be Taught to Russia’s Children

Details: Nation

The Approved Past: How History will be Taught to Russia’s Children

Details: 07 November 2013; Vladimir Kara-Murza

In October, the Russian Historical Society has approved new guidelines for history textbooks that will be used in Russian schools after 2015. The guidelines were drawn up at the request of Vladimir Putin. IMR Senior Policy Advisor Vladimir Kara-Murza—a historian by training—analyzed the blueprint, noting its positive and negative aspects.

The Unlearned Lessons: International Day against Fascism and Anti-Semitism

Details: Nation

The Unlearned Lessons: International Day against Fascism and Anti-Semitism

Details: 06 November 2013; Boris Bruk

November 9 is the International Day against Fascism and Anti-Semitism, an annual commemoration of Kristallnacht. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the anti-Semitic pogroms in Nazi Germany that became the starting point of the Holocaust. IMR Advisor Boris Bruk recalls the events of November 1938, and draws parallels with present-day Russia.

A Doctor for Medvedev

Details: Politics

A Doctor for Medvedev

Details: 05 November 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

In October, the head of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights and Human Welfare Gennady Onishchenko—a legendary figure in Russian politics—lost his job. He was a key player in the Kremlin’s introduction of trade sanctions against “problem countries.” Sources in the media say that a possible reason for his resignation was mental insanity. However, political scientist Tatyana Stanovaya believes that insanity has become the norm in Russia’s new political reality.

Russia and China Move Closer to Energy Partnership

Details: Politics

Russia and China Move Closer to Energy Partnership

Details: 04 November 2013; Donald N. Jensen

The visit by Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev to China once again highlighted the strategic importance that Moscow attaches to Asia. Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, notes that the prospects for cooperation with Beijing may not be as good as the Kremlin hopes.

U.S. Students Explore Russia’s West: A Trip Supported by IMR

Details: News

U.S. Students Explore Russia’s West: A Trip Supported by IMR

Details: 02 November 2013

This summer, a group of U.S. high school students from Richmond, Virginia, went on a three-week trip to Russia to explore the country’s history, culture, and way of life. The trip was supported by the Institute of Modern Russia. Michael White, a teacher of Russian at the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies and the leader of the group, recorded the trip’s highlights.

The Soviet Legacy: The Impact of Early Bolshevik Law Felt Up to the Present

Details: Law

The Soviet Legacy: The Impact of Early Bolshevik Law Felt Up to the Present

Details: 01 November 2013; Ekaterina Mishina

The early Soviet criminal norms formed the basis for arbitrary interpretation and selective application of the law, as well as for judicial arbitrariness. IMR Advisor Ekaterina Mishina, a prominent Russian legal expert, contends that the legacy of that era is still being felt.

Russia Is Above the Law: Where Pogroms Could Lead

Details: Nation

Russia Is Above the Law: Where Pogroms Could Lead

Details: 30 October 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

In mid-October, after the murder of 25-year-old Yegor Shcherbakov in Moscow’s Biryulyovo district, allegedly by a man from the Caucasus region, local residents supported by nationalist organizations stormed a wholesale vegetable market mainly employing migrant workers. Such ethnic violence is becoming increasingly frequent in Russia. According to political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya, racial tension is a time bomb that may have dire consequences for the country.

Apocalyptic Forecast for Russia

Details: Politics

Apocalyptic Forecast for Russia

Ilan Berman’s new book, Implosion: The End of Russia and What It Means for America

Details: 29 October 2013; Daria Mattis

This fall, prominent U.S. political scientist Ilan Berman presented his new book titled Implosion: The End of Russia and What It Means for America, in which he analyzes Russia’s transformation and identifies a number of key trends that define its domestic and foreign policies. Harriman Institute Visiting Scholar Daria Mattis reviews the book.

Ten Myths About Migrants

Details: Nation

Ten Myths About Migrants

Details: 28 October 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

The “migrant issue” is being presented as one of the main pressure points in Russian society. Author and human rights activist Alexander Podrabinek discusses the ten most popular myths about migrants—and debunks nine of them.

The Catastrophe: Russia and the First World War

Details: Nation

The Catastrophe: Russia and the First World War

Details: 25 October 2013; Alexander Yanov

The Institute of Modern Russia continues the series of articles by prominent historian Alexander Yanov. In the new installment the author discusses whether it was possible for Russia to avoid the Bolshevik coup d'état of 1917—and why it did not.

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