All Articles - Institute of Modern Russia

The Snowden Dilemma

Details: World

The Snowden Dilemma

Details: 19 July 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

The story of Edward Snowden, a former contractor of the US National Security Agency who is stuck in Russia after leaking details of several top-secret US and British surveillance programs to the press, throws into relief the deadlock of Russian-American relations. A lover of truth has dropped from the sky onto the Kremlin’s head, and he’s interfering with the relationship between Moscow and Washington. Political analyst Tatyana Stanovaya explains Putin’s interests in Snowden’s case.

Why the Regime Cultivates the Concept of the “National Insecurity”

Details: Politics

Why the Regime Cultivates the Concept of the “National Insecurity”

Details: 18 July 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

The Russian government has passed many laws that limit criticism. Under the cover of fighting for eternal values, the builders of the new authoritarianism have adopted a cynical approach to achieving their political goals. Author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek reasons through the regime’s myths and insecurities.

The End of the Affair: Abramovich Leaves Chukotka

Details: Politics

The End of the Affair: Abramovich Leaves Chukotka

Details: 18 July 2013; Donald N. Jensen

Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has recently resigned from his post as chairman of the legislature in the Chukotka autonomous district in the Russian Far East, bringing to an end one of the oddest political pairings in Russian politics. As Donald N. Jensen, resident fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, points out, this resignation is another sign of a broader Kremlin campaign to consolidate its grip on power.

Patriotic Hysteria

Details: Nation

Patriotic Hysteria

Details: 16 July 2013; Alexander Yanov

The Institute of Modern Russia continues the series of articles by prominent scholar Alexander Yanov on the history Russian nationalism. In this installment, the author talks about the phenomenon of spontaneous “patriotic hysteria” that began with the brutal suppression of the Polish uprising in 1863–64 and that has been occasionally disrupting Russia ever since.

Reform of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Checkmate in Two Moves

Details: Nation

Reform of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Checkmate in Two Moves

Details: 15 July 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

In late June, radical reforms of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) that presuppose the elimination of the Academy in its current form were approved in a Russian government session. The news shocked the scientific community, triggering an unprecedented storm of protests. However, after Vladimir Putin intervened, it became clear that the Kremlin had carried out a two-part move: it took control of the previously independent Russian Academy of Sciences and then labeled Medvedev’s government as the guilty party in the unpopular decision. Political scientist Tatyana Stanovaya describes how cynically the regime pushed the reform through.

Is Putin’s Totalitarianism Inevitable?

Details: Politics

Is Putin’s Totalitarianism Inevitable?

Details: 11 July 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

The criminal nature of Putin’s government and his circle is obvious to many. Today, Putin openly demonstrates the direction in which the regime is moving—to further tightening of the screws. However, as author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek points out, opposition still retains a good chance to maintain a dignified resistance.

The Kremlin’s Personnel Somersault

Details: Politics

The Kremlin’s Personnel Somersault

Details: 09 July 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

At the end of June, the Russian media reported that first deputy head of the Central Bank Alexei Ulyukayev was appointed as the new Economy Minister, while Andrei Belousov, who used to occupy this post, became the new presidential aide. Earlier this year, former presidential aide Elvira Nabiullina was approved as the new head of Central Bank by the State Duma. The Kremlin tends to keep the public in the dark regarding personnel decisions until the last moment, but in this case premature leaks indicate that Putin did not make these decisions easily. Political scientist Tatiana Stanovaya investigates the Kremlin’s approach to personnel sorting.

Who "Fired" Yakunin?

Details: Politics

Who "Fired" Yakunin?

Details: 08 July 2013; Donald N. Jensen

On June 19th, Vladimir Yakunin, head of Russian Railways, found himself in an awkward situation: Russian government's press service announced his resignation. Half an hour later, this news was declared false. Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, discusses various versions of what had happened to Mr Yakunin.

Alyona Popova on the Flood in Krymsk and the “New Believers”

Details: Nation

Alyona Popova on the Flood in Krymsk and the “New Believers”

Details: 07 July 2013; Boris Bruk

Last year, the town of Krymsk was almost fully destroyed by the largest flood. A year after the disaster occurred, a citizen activist and coordinator of Civil Emergency Corps Volunteers Alyona Popova spoke with IMR Advisor Boris Bruk about the events and lessons of the Krymsk tragedy. Alyona Popova came to Krymsk shortly after the night of the flood and became one of the organizers and coordinators of the “Kind Camp” of volunteers, which provided assistance to the flood victims.

Krymsk: A Year After the Tragedy

Details: Nation

Krymsk: A Year After the Tragedy

Details: 07 July 2013; Boris Bruk

A year ago, at night of July 7, the Krasnodar Krai was struck by the decade’s worst flood. The town of Krymsk was most affected by the disaster – the flood took the lives of 153 persons. The total number of deaths in the Krasnodar Krai was estimated at 171, 7.2 thousand of residencies were flooded, and over 60 thousand people were announced victims. For Krymsk, this is not the first tragedy of that kind; for example, in August of 2002, Krymsk became one of the areas, which were most highly affected by the flood. In 2002, 62 people died and 200 were considered victims.

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