All Articles - Institute of Modern Russia

The Birth of Pan-Slavism

Details: Nation

The Birth of Pan-Slavism

Part One

Details: 08 August 2013; Alexander Yanov

The Institute of Modern Russia continues the series of stories about Russian nationalism written by the well-known scientist Alexander Yanov. This essay, which will be published in two parts, tells the story of the birth of Pan-Slavism in Russia's foreign policy and the dangers of its revival.

Alexander Podrabinek: “Opposition Needs To Rely on Public, Not Political Alliances”

Details: Nation

Alexander Podrabinek: “Opposition Needs To Rely on Public, Not Political Alliances”

Details: 07 August 2013; Olga Khvostunova

On August 8, prominent Russian author and human rights activist Alexander Podrabinek turns 60. This week, he spoke with IMR Advisor Olga Khvostunova about the reasons for the revival of the Soviet repressive system, the mistakes of the opposition, and Russian society’s democratic potential.

"Where Can It Be Seen, Where Can It Be Heard?"

Details: Law

"Where Can It Be Seen, Where Can It Be Heard?"

On the Unprecedented Decision Regarding Navalny and Ofitserov

Details: 05 August 2013; Ekaterina Mishina

On July 18, the defendants in the “Kirov Forest case,” Moscow mayoral candidate Alexei Navalny and entrepreneur Petr Ofitserov, were arrested in the courtroom after the guilty verdict was announced. Yet the following day both were released, pending appeal. IMR Advisor Ekaterina Mishina, a prominent Russian legal expert, discusses the unprecedented decision.

The Kremlin Tries to Roll Back the “Shale Revolution”

Details: Economics

The Kremlin Tries to Roll Back the “Shale Revolution”

Details: 01 August 2013; Donald N. Jensen

The much-discussed “shale revolution” threatens to weaken Russia’s regime, which has grown dependent on traditional energy exports. Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, suggests that the Kremlin has finally noticed this phenomenon—but has so far done little to prepare for it.

Elections in Moscow: Why a Boycott Is Counterproductive

Details: Politics

Elections in Moscow: Why a Boycott Is Counterproductive

Details: 31 July 2013; Vladimir Kara-Murza

On September 8, Moscow will hold its mayoral election. Six candidates are vying for the post, but only two can be considered serious contenders: the incumbent, Sergei Sobyanin, and anticorruption campaigner Alexei Navalny. As in previous years, a part of the opposition is calling for a boycott of the vote. IMR Senior Policy Advisor Vladimir Kara-Murza suggests that this tactic is both misguided and counterproductive.

Russian Corruption on Transparency International’s Barometer

Details: Nation

Russian Corruption on Transparency International’s Barometer

Details: 30 July 2013; Boris Bruk

Every year Transparency International issues the Corruption Perceptions Index, which currently ranks Russia 133rd out of 176 countries in terms of how corrupt its public sector is perceived to be. To complement this portrait of world corruption, the organization also develops a study entitled The Global Corruption Barometer. IMR Advisor Boris Bruk discusses the latest report.

The Navalny Trial: A Verdict for the Regime

Details: Politics

The Navalny Trial: A Verdict for the Regime

Details: 29 July 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

July 18, 2013—conviction day for Russian nonsystemic opposition leader Alexei Navalny—has been called the point of no return in the course of deteriorating relations between the authorities and society. This decision provoked the first unauthorized mass spontaneous protest in Putin’s Russia in downtown Moscow, with thousands of people coming out into the central streets of the capital. Political scientist Tatyana Stanovaya examines the political consequences of the Kirov court’s decision.

Let’s Say “No” to the Erosion of the Constitution

Details: Law

Let’s Say “No” to the Erosion of the Constitution

Details: 28 July 2013; Ekaterina Mishina

Russia’s leading legal experts have published an open address in which they detail the threats to the country’s constitutional order. IMR Advisor Ekaterina Mishina, a co-signatory of the address, emphasizes that, for the lawyers, to point out the dangers of the current situation is a professional, civic, and human duty.

Is the Protest Mood Shifting from Moscow to the Regions?

Details: Nation

Is the Protest Mood Shifting from Moscow to the Regions?

Details: 24 July 2013; Donald N. Jensen

A new study published by the Center for Strategic Research concludes that protest sentiments in Russia are shifting from large cities to the provinces and are becoming more economic and social than political. Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, discusses the potential dangers for the Putin regime.

Navalny's Choice

Details: Politics

Navalny's Choice

Details: 19 July 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

On July 18th, the Kirov Court predictably sentenced Alexei Navalny to five years in prison. But the next day Navalny was released after the prosecution appealed the court’s decision. According to writer and analyst Alexander Podrabinek, the government gave the oppositionist one last chance to leave the country.

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