All Articles - Institute of Modern Russia

Russia’s Far East Goes Underwater

Details: Politics

Russia’s Far East Goes Underwater

Details: 10 September 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

In Russia, nobody is prepared for natural disasters; the population gets no warning; the authorities cannot acknowledge the extent of the catastrophe and assume political responsibility, since that could have a negative impact on their poll standings. This is exactly what is happening in Russia’s Far East, where hundreds of thousands of people are affected by floods. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya discusses the Russian authorities’ reactions to the natural disaster.

The Kremlin’s Point of No Return

Details: Politics

The Kremlin’s Point of No Return

Details: 09 September 2013; Vladimir Kara-Murza

On September 8, regional and local elections were held across Russia. Most of the attention was focused on Moscow, where opposition mayoral candidate Alexei Navalny received nearly 30 percent of the vote. IMR Senior Policy Advisor Vladimir Kara-Murza argues that September 8, 2013, will prove to be a turning point for the current regime—the day when a political alternative emerged in Russia.

An Old Tune: On Russia’s Political Prisoners

Details: Politics

An Old Tune: On Russia’s Political Prisoners

Details: 09 September 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

Russia’s current leaders, just as their Soviet predecessors, deny the existence of political prisoners in the country. Author and former political prisoner Alexander Podrabinek discusses the relationship between an authoritarian regime and its captives.

Russia without Lenin?

Details: Nation

Russia without Lenin?

Details: 06 September 2013; Alexander Yanov

The Institute of Modern Russia continues the series of articles about Russian nationalism written by the well-known historian Alexander Yanov. The first three essays, dedicated to Pan-Slavism, told the story of the birth of this ideology in Russia and its consequences for the country. The new installment explains how a great patriotic hysteria led the country to lose in the First World War and the consequent victory of Bolshevism.

On President Obama’s Meeting with Russian Civil Society Representatives

Details: News

On President Obama’s Meeting with Russian Civil Society Representatives

Statement by the Institute of Modern Russia

Details: 04 September 2013

The meeting allows for the discussion of a wide spectrum of problems and threats facing Russian society. Among them are politically motivated prosecutions and the existence of political prisoners (including internationally recognized prisoners of conscience); government control over major media outlets; violations of the right to free elections; violations of the freedom of peaceful assembly; pressure on nongovernmental organizations; the absence of public oversight of law enforcement agencies; and the impunity of government officials implicated in corruption and human rights abuses.

Putin’s Foreign Asset Ban in Action

Details: Politics

Putin’s Foreign Asset Ban in Action

Details: 03 September 2013; Donald N. Jensen

The recently adopted law prohibiting Russian officials from owning foreign assets has come into force. Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, considers its effectiveness and its political consequences.

Three Objects of Aggression

Details: Nation

Three Objects of Aggression

Details: 03 September 2013; Boris Bruk

A recent study of the Center for Strategic Research showed that there is a high level of anxiety and aggression in Russian society, estimated at 65 percent in Russia and 84 percent in Moscow. The main “objects of aggression” are the United States, state officials, and migrants. IMR Advisor Boris Bruk discusses the reasons for this phenomenon.

Rosneft vs. Gazprom

Details: Economics

Rosneft vs. Gazprom

Details: 29 August 2013; Olga Khvostunova

In September, the Russian State Duma will review legislation that aims to liberalize liquefied natural gas exports, a move that would end Gazprom's long-standing monopoly in the field. One of the companies that have lobbied for this strategic move is Rosneft, which has been actively expanding into the gas sector. IMR Advisor Olga Khvostunova analyzes the recent shifts in the energy market and their consequences for Gazprom.

Putinomics: Who Will Pay for the Deficit?

Details: Economics

Putinomics: Who Will Pay for the Deficit?

Details: 29 August 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

Oil prices remain high, but Russia’s budget deficit is growing. In July, the Finance Ministry increased its budget deficit projections for 2014 from 0.4 percent to 0.5 percent. According to representatives from the Economic Development Ministry, GDP growth “looks like zero.” Under these circumstances, two developments in particular stand out: the possible abandoning of a program for boosting the country’s birth rate; and increasing allocations of sovereign funds toward the implementation of megaprojects. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya discusses how Putin’s regime can survive the deficit.

Pan-Slavism in Action

Details: Nation

Pan-Slavism in Action

Details: 28 August 2013; Alexander Yanov

The Institute of Modern Russia continues the series of articles about Russian nationalism written by the well-known historian Alexander Yanov. The first two essays, dedicated to Pan-Slavism, told the story of the birth of this ideology in Russia. The new installment of the series explains how a great patriotic hysteria led the country to a bloody war for liberation of the Balkan Slavs.

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