Analysis - Institute of Modern Russia

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Is There a Feud Over a New Tsar in the Kremlin?

Details: Politics

Is There a Feud Over a New Tsar in the Kremlin?

Details: 01 April 2015; Donald N. Jensen

Vladimir Putin’s ten-day absence from the public eye has become the most discussed event in Russia this past month, and also highlights the country’s crisis of governance. According to Donald Jensen, resident fellow of the Center for Transatlantic Relations, keeping the increasingly polarized political forces under control is becoming a much harder challenge for Putin.

The Long Winter Ahead for EU-Russia Relations

Details: World

The Long Winter Ahead for EU-Russia Relations

Details: 30 March 2015; Ezekiel Pfeifer

Over the past year, following the annexation of Crimea, relations between Russia and the European Union deteriorated to the point of raising the discussion of a second Cold War. Independent Russia analyst Ezekiel Pfeifer reviews the key developments of this bilateral relationship and the recent EU efforts to come up with an adequate policy for dealing with Putin’s Russia.

Will Russia Pay the Yukos Settlement?

Details: Law

Will Russia Pay the Yukos Settlement?

Details: 26 March 2015; Haley S. Anderson

Last July, the Hague issued a ruling that the Russian government had wrongly seized the Yukos oil company from its shareholders and was required to pay restitution in the amount of $50 billion. This February, Russia appealed the court decision. Haley S. Anderson reviews the case, Russia’s arguments, and the possibility that the award will be paid.

Putin, Hardliners, and Political Violence

Details: World

Putin, Hardliners, and Political Violence

Details: 19 March 2015; Donald N. Jensen

Even though suspects in the murder of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov have been arrested, speculations on who is the mastermind behind the crime continue to swirl. According to Donald Jensen, resident fellow of the Center for Transatlantic Relations, there are clear signs of disintegration among Russia’s elites, as new, more radical armed groups seek their place in the system.

Looking into the Abyss

Details: Law

Looking into the Abyss

Details: 18 March 2015; Elena Lukyanova

On the anniversary of the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia—an event that was strongly condemned by the international community—Professor Elena Lukyanova of the National Research University of the Higher School of Economics analyzes and finds numerous problems in the decisions by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation concerning the legislation that applies when a country makes part of a foreign state part of its own territory.

When the State Defends Itself Against Its Citizens

Details: Law

When the State Defends Itself Against Its Citizens

Details: 09 March 2015; Ekaterina Mishina

The case of Svetlana Davydova, the mother of seven children who was accused of high treason for the benefit of Ukraine, was not only the first high-profile case of espionage since the beginning of the Ukrainian conflict, but also the first case that falls under the new provisions of Article 275 of the Criminal Code. IMR legal expert Ekaterina Mishina examines the main pitfalls of these new provisions and draws historical parallels.

Putin’s Trojan Horse in Europe

Details: World

Putin’s Trojan Horse in Europe

Details: 27 February 2015; Donald N. Jensen

Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Hungary and his new energy deal with Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban caused yet another debate in Europe over Russia’s attempts to undermine the Western alliance. Donald Jensen, resident fellow of the Center for Transatlantic Relations, reviews these controversial developments.

Does Russia’s Protest Movement Have a Future?

Details: Nation

Does Russia’s Protest Movement Have a Future?

Details: 24 February 2015; Denis Volkov

On March 1, an “anti-crisis march” organized by Russian opposition leaders is set to be held in Moscow. Its goal is to protest against the war in Ukraine and to show people’s frustration with the economic crisis. Organizers estimate that as many as 100,000 people will participate in the march. Levada Center sociologist Denis Volkov examines the character and potential of Russia’s protest movement.

Denial of Reality

Details: Nation

Denial of Reality

Details: 18 February 2015; Olga Melnikova

Since last summer, the price of many goods in Russia has risen considerably, in some cases several-fold. However, according to opinion polls, many Russians refuse to accept the fact that the country has entered a crisis. Olga Melnikova analyzes this public reaction.

Signals From the Top

Details: Law

Signals From the Top

Details: 12 February 2015; Ekaterina Mishina

In late January, Kirill, the Russian Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, addressed the State Duma of the Russian Federation for the first time in the history of the country. In his speech, he pointed to the high number of abortions that take place annually in Russia, calling it one of the main problems facing the country today. According to IMR expert Ekaterina Mishina, if the Patriarch’s address results in a prohibition on abortion, this problem will only get worse.

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