Analysis - Institute of Modern Russia

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Details: Analysis

How Putin’s Russia Works

Details: 16 August 2019; Olga Khvostunova

In his most recent book Anders Aslund details the current state of affairs in Putin’s Russia and provides an overview of the system that he defines as “crony capitalism.” The book serves as a good primer of the subject, offering a useful meta-analysis and integrating points.

Details: Analysis

Why Russia Needs a “Sovereign Runet”

Details: 25 July 2019; Diana Rossokhovatsky, Olga Khvostunova

The official goal of the “sovereign internet” bill signed by Vladimir Putin into law on May 1 is to secure the uninterrupted operation of the Runet in case of disconnection from the global infrastructure of the World Wide Web. In reality, this law allows the Russian government to gain centralized control over the Runet and, if need be, to shut down internet services in entire regions of the country.

Details: Analysis

Trump-Putin Meeting at G-20: All Talk and No Action

Details: 26 June 2019; Olga Khvostunova

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are expected to meet on the sidelines of the G-20 summit, which opens in Osaka on June 28. Despite overwhelming media attention, no “new deal” is in the cards, but both leaders will use the opportunity to score political points.

Details: Analysis

Un-Freedom of the Press

Details: 20 June 2019; Olga Khvostunova

Over the last month, two events have shaken up a small corner of the Russian media landscape, which continues to strive for integrity and independence. A Meduza reporter got arrested on bogus charges of drug possession, but was eventually acquitted. Prior to that, Kommersant’s entire political desk resigned over the owner’s interference in its editorial work. The fact that such events, which have become routine in Putin’s Russia, can still cause a stir and galvanize people to fight back, is a rare sign of hope for the Russian civil society.

Details: Analysis

Is Russia’s Future in the Hands of Its Youth?

Details: 05 June 2019; Olga Khvostunova

Vladimir Putin is approaching his 20th anniversary as de-facto leader of Russia, and many critics of his regime are increasingly looking to the new generation of Russians in the hope that they can bring about change. What is known about this new generation? Is there ground for optimism?

Details: Analysis

The Time of Troubles: Did It Ever End?

Details: 15 May 2019; Dmitry Shlapentokh

The turbulent period in the Russian history, known as the Time of Troubles (1584-1613), that shook the very foundations of the Russian state, continues to provide rich material not only for scholars but also for politicians. In his comparative analysis of the two studies of this period—Sergey Platonov’s Time of Troubles and Maksim Zarezin’s V puchine Russkoi Smuty—historian Dmitry Shlapentokh draws parallels with contemporary Russia and highlights the key ideas borrowed by the Putin regime to justify its policies..

Details: Analysis

“Fear Has Large Eyes”

How the Mueller Report reads if you are Russian

Details: 13 May 2019; Olga Khvostunova

Since the release of the redacted version of the Mueller Report, concluding that no criminal conspiracy occurred between the Trump Campaign and the Kremlin, the volume and intensity of the media coverage of this subject has visibly diminished. Some scarce attempts at post-mortem analysis of this topic, which had dominated public discourse, are taking place, with most media outlets defending their Russia reporting. While the deflation of the “Russia scare” might be a good thing, dismissing the actual problem with the Kremlin is not. Sooner or later President Trump will leave office, while President Putin is here to stay for the foreseeable future. And it is about time that Russia observers in the West wake up to a better, more nuanced understanding of Russia and its current regime.