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Crimea Has Been Annexed. What’s Next?

Details: Politics

Crimea Has Been Annexed. What’s Next?

Details: 08 April 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

The annexation of Crimea is now complete. Two entities, the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, have become part of Russia. However, the global community has not and will not recognize the annexation of the peninsula, carried out as it was “at gunpoint.” According to political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya, the key issue here is not Russia’s isolation from the international community, but the long process the Kremlin faces in integrating the new territories into the state—a process that will be accompanied by various political, legal, financial, and economic problems.

Afghanistan at a Crossroads

Details: World

Afghanistan at a Crossroads

Details: 04 April 2014; Daria Mattis

2014 is an important year for Afghanistan, as it marks the end of the Karzai era, with a new president slated to be elected on April 5. For the United States, 2014 marks the end of a military operation that began in Afghanistan in 2001. Afghanistan also remains an important issue for Russia, which recently commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Soviet forces’ withdrawal from that country. As Harriman Institute visiting scholar Daria Mattis points out, the upcoming elections are of critical importance to the future of the Afghan state.

Ukraine Crisis: The U.S. Pushes Back

Details: World

Ukraine Crisis: The U.S. Pushes Back

Details: 03 April 2014; Donald N. Jensen

On March 20, U.S. president Barack Obama expanded economic sanctions against Russia following the annexation of Crimea. Donald N. Jensen, resident fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations, points out that so far, the West’s policy has been one of bureaucratic compromise, and it will only become effective if sanctions tighten enough to turn Putin’s inner circle against him.

The End of Independent Media in Russia

Details: Politics

The End of Independent Media in Russia

Details: 01 April 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

The annexation of Crimea was a turning point for Vladimir Putin’s regime. The price of retaining power has increased dramatically, which in practice means that direct repressions will be used against opposition media. However, according to political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya, this trend may prove to be reversible.

The Czar’s Last Mistake, Part One

Details: Nation

The Czar’s Last Mistake, Part One

Details: 26 March 2014; Alexander Yanov

The Institute of Modern Russia continues its series of articles by Alexander Yanov on the history of Russian nationalism. In this new essay, the author argues that Nicholas I, obsessed with superpower ideas and suffering from the Napoleon complex, brought Russia to the outbreak of the fatal Crimean War of 1853–56.

Can the United States and Russia Ever Learn to Live Together?

Details: World

Can the United States and Russia Ever Learn to Live Together?

Details: 25 March 2014; Donald N. Jensen

In the view of the new complications of the U.S.-Russia relationship Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, reviews the most recent book The Limits of Partership by Angela Stent, who served as an advisor on Russia to Bill Clinton and George W. Bush administrations.

The Difficult Destiny of the Ukrainian Constitution

Details: Law

The Difficult Destiny of the Ukrainian Constitution

Details: 24 March 2014; Ekaterina Mishina

The restoration of the 2004 version of the Ukrainian Constitution has been one of the key legal outcomes of the Euromaidan. IMR Advisor Ekaterina Mishina examines the document’s history and shows why it was so important to restore this particular version of the Ukrainian Constitution.

Came In with a Bang, Went Out with a Whimper

Details: Politics

Came In with a Bang, Went Out with a Whimper

Details: 23 March 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

Last week, the United States and the European Union imposed sanctions against a number of Russia’s high-profile officials, prohibiting their entrance into the respective countries and freezing their assets. But as writer Alexander Podrabinek argues, such sanctions are laughable and can have little real effect on the Kremlin’s aggressive policies.

Corruption in Law

Details: Politics

Corruption in Law

Details: 21 March 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

The fight against corruption has always been a popular topic among Russian politicians, and in recent years, different elite groups have used it as an instrument for settling scores. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya analyzes the methods of Russia’s new anticorruption campaign.

The Kremlin’s Party Games

Details: Politics

The Kremlin’s Party Games

Details: 17 March 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

In February, Vladimir Putin signed a new law on elections to the State Duma. By once again changing the rules of the game, the Kremlin is attempting to control the new political reality. However, according to political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya, these tactics cannot guarantee everlasting electoral success.

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