Analysis - Institute of Modern Russia

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Putinism and the European Far Right

Details: World

Putinism and the European Far Right

Details: 19 January 2016; Alina Polyakova

It was recently reported that U.S. intelligence agencies will conduct a major investigation into how the Kremlin is infiltrating political parties in Europe with the goal of exploiting European disunity and undermining NATO. While the official results of this investigation are still long in the making, Russia's influence in Europe has already been thoroughly researched in the think-tank and academic world. As part of IMR's research series, we are publishing a paper that focuses on the relationship between the Putin doctrine and Europe's far-right parties. The paper, authored by Alina Polyakova, Ph.D., deputy director of the Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council, was originally presented at the 2015 ASEEES Annual Convention.

Crisis in Emerging Markets: Is China’s Model Better Than Russia’s?

Details: World

Crisis in Emerging Markets: Is China’s Model Better Than Russia’s?

Details: 16 December 2015; Ezekiel Pfeifer

In recent decades, China and Russia have both experienced ample economic growth, but have achieved it via diametrically opposed paths. Whereas China has pumped spending into infrastructure and investment, Russia has fed export revenues into wage growth. Now that Russia has entered a deep recession, is China winning? In the concluding installment of a three-part series on the BRIC nations, IMR analyst Ezekiel Pfeifer compares the economic prospects of China and Russia.

The Kremlin’s Love and Fear of Separatism

Details: Politics

The Kremlin’s Love and Fear of Separatism

Details: 12 November 2015; Konstantin Fischer

Moscow is rapidly establishing itself as Europe’s largest state sponsor of separatist movements. But can Russia play this role and at the same time contain secessionist sentiments within its own borders? Independent journalist Konstantin Fischer examines the Kremlin’s precarious double game when it comes to separatism.

Russia’s Elites Battle Over a Shrinking Economic Pie

Details: Politics

Russia’s Elites Battle Over a Shrinking Economic Pie

Details: 21 October 2015; Donald N. Jensen

President Vladimir Putin faces an immense challenge in addressing Russia’s economic crisis, which has sent shockwaves through the ranks of the political and business elites. The government has cut budget spending by 10 percent and Putin has tightened the reins at state firms, intensifying competition for resources, writes Donald N. Jensen, resident fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations.

Crisis in Emerging Markets: Why Is India Outperforming Russia?

Details: World

Crisis in Emerging Markets: Why Is India Outperforming Russia?

Details: 08 October 2015; Ezekiel Pfeifer

International investors have been largely bullish on the Indian economy this year, even as its BRIC counterparts have struggled amid a drop in commodity prices. Why is the country of 1.25 billion people doing better than Russia? In part two of a three-part series, IMR analyst Ezekiel Pfeifer compares Russia to India, which is growing apace but has a long way to go to become a developed nation.

Constitutionalism vs. the ‘Russian Matrix.’ Part 2

Details: Law

Constitutionalism vs. the ‘Russian Matrix.’ Part 2

Details: 01 October 2015; Vladimir Pastukhov

In part one of his article on Russian constitutionalism, political scientist Vladimir Pastukhov, visiting fellow at St. Antony’s College of Oxford University, discussed the need to change Russians’ traditional mindset regarding what kinds of rules govern society. In part two, he explores the differences between Russian and Western views of the key constitutional ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity. This article is part of a periodic series on Russia’s Constitution.

Hasni Abidi: ‘By Supporting Assad, Moscow Will Create the Conditions for ISIS to Prosper’

Details: World

Hasni Abidi: ‘By Supporting Assad, Moscow Will Create the Conditions for ISIS to Prosper’

Details: 01 October 2015; Elena Servettaz

Last week, the Syria crisis became the central focus of the international agenda and was the key issue discussed at the 70th UN General Assembly. Just before Russia launched its first air strikes in Syria, journalist Elena Servettaz spoke with political analyst and Arab world expert Hasni Abidi, director of the Geneva-based Study and Research Center for the Arab and Mediterranean World, about the consequences of Moscow’s support for Bashar Assad.

Putin’s Fake Victory at the UN

Details: Politics

Putin’s Fake Victory at the UN

Details: 30 September 2015; Olga Khvostunova

On September 28, Vladimir Putin addressed the United Nations General Assembly for the first time in 10 years. The Russian president’s visit drew close attention from around the world and provoked intense media interest. The results of the trip, however, were quite modest. Imrussia.org editor-in-chief Olga Khvostunova examines the underlying reasons for Putin’s visit to New York.

Russia’s Heirs to Tolstoyevsky

Details: Nation

Russia’s Heirs to Tolstoyevsky

Details: 28 September 2015; Bradley Gorski

Casual observers of Russia often lament that the country’s once-vaunted culture no longer produces novelists of caliber equal to Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. But in fact, the world of contemporary Russian literature is vibrant and includes several novelists known for their grand realist works. These books are not only striking pieces of prose, but also valuable windows into modern-day Russian society, according to Bradley Gorski, a Ph.D. candidate in Slavic Studies at Columbia University.

Protests in Moldova: Dignity and Truth vs. Euro-Imitators

Details: World

Protests in Moldova: Dignity and Truth vs. Euro-Imitators

Details: 23 September 2015; Vladimir Solovyev

In early September, a group in Moldova called Dignity and Truth led a protest of several thousand supporters of Euro-integration against the country’s ostensibly pro-Europe government. In the opinion of journalist Vladimir Solovyev, the protesters might be able to force early elections, but the true winners of the confrontation could end up being pro-Russian political forces.

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