Analysis - Institute of Modern Russia

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“Revolution Will Come From Within the Elite”

Details: Politics

“Revolution Will Come From Within the Elite”

Details: 09 November 2012

On November 7th, the NYU Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia and the SCPS Center for Global Affairs held a discussion entitled “Russia: When is the Next Revolution?” According to the panelists, the new revolution will originate inside the elites, and is likely to come at the end of Vladimir Putin’s current presidential term.

E-Democracy: Citizens and the State

Details: Nation

E-Democracy: Citizens and the State

Details: 09 November 2012

The concept of “collaborative management” whereby citizens can directly participate in the decision-making process is increasingly the subject of discussion in the media and in academic literature. A key instrument of such participation is e-democracy. IMR analysts have assessed the tendencies in democratic countries and in Russia, where the “official” (imitative) e-democracy is being countered by the development of a civic alternative.

“Killing of Survivors” after Kaczynski Plane Crash: Can We Believe the Video?

Details: Nation

“Killing of Survivors” after Kaczynski Plane Crash: Can We Believe the Video?

Details: 07 November 2012

If the FSB can kidnap a person in Kiev just as the OGPU once did in Europe, it is not hard to believe that the surviving Poles could have been finished off by the descendants of the butchers of Katyn. If anyone has trouble countenancing such a suggestion, they can take a look at the conclusions reached by an independent examination conducted in the United States on April 26, 2012.

Kremlin Diplomacy, Soviet-Style: Putin’s Russia Revives “Look Who’s Talking” Routine

Details: World

Kremlin Diplomacy, Soviet-Style: Putin’s Russia Revives “Look Who’s Talking” Routine

Details: 05 November 2012; Vladimir Kara-Murza

The foreign policy of Vladimir Putin’s Russia is increasingly reminiscent of Soviet days, not only in substance, but in style. As IMR senior policy advisor Vladimir Kara-Murza points out, the Kremlin is adopting the “look who’s talking” tactic frequently used by the USSR.

Freedom of Speech for Zhirinovsky!

Details: Nation

Freedom of Speech for Zhirinovsky!

Details: 02 November 2012

Our next clip features Vladimir Zhirinovsky's speech in the State Duma on September 17, 1999. On that day, Zhirinovsky was denied the right to speak because, in an emotional outburst and probably without meaning to do so, he revealed a state secret.

From Cuba to Iran: Lessons from the Cuban Missile Crisis

Details: World

From Cuba to Iran: Lessons from the Cuban Missile Crisis

Details: 01 November 2012

The Cuban Missile Crisis, which put the world on the brink of a nuclear war, officially ended on October 28th, 1962, after a compromise was reached between U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. A half-century later, international affairs experts are reflecting on the lessons of the superpower conflict – and drawing parallels with the current situation in Iran.

Putin's Ten Seconds

Details: Nation

Putin's Ten Seconds

Details: 29 October 2012

"I'll begin with my favorite video. This video became my favorite because, on this memorable State Security Agents' Day (or Day of the Chekist) in December 1999, a young, unknown, and therefore not fully understood Vladimir Putin, in a flight of almost childish enthusiasm and sincerity, publicly told us that the forces of the former KGB (now code-named "FSB" for the sake of secrecy) had taken over the Russian government."

Details: Nation

To the Viewers

Details: 29 October 2012

IMR website launches a new project: Felshtinsky's Video Blog. The Institute's Advisor, Yuri Felshtinsky, - a prominent Russian American historian and the co-author (together with Alexander Litvinenko) of the book "Blowing Up Russia" - will select and analyze the most interesting YouTube videos on Russian politics. The videos and commentaries will be published regularly. All our readers are welcome to join the discussion!

“Reset” Featured in Romney-Obama Debate – But Not Enough

Details: World

“Reset” Featured in Romney-Obama Debate – But Not Enough

Details: 26 October 2012; Vladimir Kara-Murza

During the foreign policy debate between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney on October 22nd, there were ten references to Russia, but most of them were only in passing. The Republican nominee did criticize the current administration’s “reset” with Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian regime – but only once. According to IMR Advisor Vladimir Kara-Murza, if the Romney campaign wants to get an edge in foreign policy, it should draw more attention to the candidates’ differing approaches to Russia.

New Russian “Patriots”

Details: Politics

New Russian “Patriots”

Details: 25 October 2012; Sasha de Vogel

The new political season in Russia has opened with a round of hardline legislative changes. This raises the issue of the Putin regime's changing nature: Is this hardening a temporary phenomenon, or a dangerous long-term trend? What are the moving forces behind the increasingly authoritarian character of the regime? What are the new trend’s features? What kind of threat does it pose to the country? Our Institute’s analysts have attempted to address these issues.

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