All Articles - Institute of Modern Russia

Games: Olympic and Political

Details: Politics

Games: Olympic and Political

Details: 27 August 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

The upcoming Sochi Olympics once again raise the question of the appropriateness of holding international sporting events in authoritarian countries. Author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek recalls the history of Olympic boycotts—which have always drawn irritation from sports officials.

The Kremlin and Prokhorov

Details: Politics

The Kremlin and Prokhorov

Details: 21 August 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

The atmosphere surrounding Russia’s regional elections scheduled for September 8 is rather contradictory. On one hand, the Kremlin has made it clear that the nonsystemic opposition will be allowed to participate in the elections—Alexei Navalny was registered as a candidate for Moscow mayor. On the other hand, Mikhail Prokhorov’s Civic Platform Party has been removed from the ballot almost everywhere. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya discusses the reasons why the Kremlin is afraid of this party.

Putin Brings Disappointment Back from Baku

Details: Politics

Putin Brings Disappointment Back from Baku

Details: 21 August 2013; Donald N. Jensen

Vladimir Putin’s visit to Baku was a disappointment to the Kremlin, but, as Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, argues, Moscow will likely continue its efforts to draw Azerbaijan into its sphere of influence.

Russia's Murky Angola Debt Deal

Details: Economics

Russia's Murky Angola Debt Deal

Details: 20 August 2013; Boris Bruk

The circumstances surrounding the repayment of Angola’s debt to Russia—which has been called one of the biggest corruption schemes of the recent years—still offer more questions than answers. At least two prominent businessmen from the former Soviet Union were involved in this deal: Arcadi Gaydamak and Vitaly Malkin. IMR Advisor Boris Bruk has examined the details of the Angola debt deal.

The Birth of Pan-Slavism

Details: Nation

The Birth of Pan-Slavism

Part Two

Details: 19 August 2013; Alexander Yanov

The Institute of Modern Russian continues the series of articles by the well-know historian Alexander Yanov. The first part of the essay on Pan-Slavism told the story of the birth of this movement. The second installment is dedicated to the standoff between radical “nomenklatura” and radical youth, and explains how Russia lost its chance for the timely adoption of the first сonstitution.

US and Russia After the "Reset"

Details: World

US and Russia After the "Reset"

Details: 15 August 2013; Donald N. Jensen

The cancellation of the bilateral meeting between Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin that had been scheduled for next month is being seen as a long-awaited acknowledgment from the White House that its “reset” policy had failed. Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, argues that a new rapprochement between Washington and Moscow is unlikely any time soon.

Not Stupidity, but Malevolence

Details: Politics

Not Stupidity, but Malevolence

Details: 15 August 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

Critics of the current Russian regime often call its actions “stupid” and detrimental to its own image. According to author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek, however, what looks like government “stupidity” is actually a well-thought out strategy.

Why Putin Needs Ukraine

Details: Politics

Why Putin Needs Ukraine

Details: 13 August 2013; Donald N. Jensen

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Ukraine on July 27 to attend a joint commemoration marking the 1,025th anniversary of Russia’s conversion to Christianity. As Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, points out, despite the religious nature of the occasion, Putin used the event to push for a more secular and, for the Kremlin, more pressing agenda.

Movement Toward Catastrophe

Details: Politics

Movement Toward Catastrophe

Details: 12 August 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

The issues of internal migration and relations between Russians and “newcomers” from the Russian southern regions have become major problems in the country. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya talks about whether the government has a strategy with regard to such issues.

The Choice of Agents

Details: Nation

The Choice of Agents

Details: 08 August 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

Several Russian human rights organizations that were targeted by the “foreign agent” law have applied for financial support from the Russian government. According to writer Alexander Podrabinek, it is impossible to defend human rights while receiving money from the state that is the main source of human rights violations.

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