Institute of Modern Russia

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Nation

Russian Prime Minister Pyotr Stolypin: In Anticipation of a Monument

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07 June 2012

Alexander Yanov

With the erection of a monument in the center of Moscow this coming September, Pyotr Stolypin, Prime Minister of Russia (1906-1911), is to be memorialized by Putin's regime on the 100-year anniversary of his assassination. Historian Alexander Yanov puts this glorification of Putin's favorite historial figure in perspective, highlighting Stolypin's brutal and autocratic policies that paved the way for the Bolshevik terror—and beyond.

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Law

The Khodorkovsky Syndrome

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05 June 2012

In December 2010, entrepreneur Sergei Kolesnikov took a stand  against the evils of Putin's regime in an open letter to Dmitry Medvedev about the so-called "Putin's Palace." Since then, Kolesnikov has continued his mission to spread awareness of the rampant corruption among Russia's power elite. The Institute of Modern Russia is proud to present an English translation of article by Mr. Kolesnikov that first appeared on his website.

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Nation

Russia’s Invisible Children

The unrelieved plight of Russia's homeless youth

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31 May 2012

Olga Khvostunova

Today, the number of homeless children in Russia is estimated to be between one and five million. Despite these shocking figures, the issue hardly appears on the political or public agenda. While government policy toward homeless children continues to be executed sporadically and essentially irresponsibly, the proportion of the Russian population living outside the law continues to grow, portending the possibility of a future crisis. IMR's Olga Khvostunova reports on youth homelessness in Russia today.

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Politics

The Prime Minister's New Suits: Medvedev's Cabinet of Technocrats

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28 May 2012

Pavel Ivlev

In the recently-announced Russian cabinet of ministers, led by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, nearly three-quarters of appointees are new to their posts. Many of them had been deputy ministers during Medvedev's presidency, earning the new cabinet the nickname of "Cabinet of Deputy Ministers," while their former bosses have moved into the presidential cabinet. Russian attorney and business consultant Pavel Ivlev profiles the appointees, concluding that the competition among them is unlikely to lead to progress in the country.

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Nation

Party Renaissance

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23 May 2012

Olga Khvostunova

This April, the Russian Duma passed a bill legislating new procedures for party registration. So far, over 150 new parties have  submitted their applications to the Ministry of Justice. Although this may appear as a sign of political liberalization, some analysts warn that the power structure in Russia will not change radically in the near future.

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Law

Threats to Decisional Independence in the American Justice System

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22 May 2012

Ekaterina Mishina

Ekaterina Mishina discusses the threats to decisional independence in the American judiciary and how they are overcome, examining the lessons Russia can learn from the American system.

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Nation

Russian-Speaking Americans: United to Help

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18 May 2012

Xenia Grubstein

On May 6th, the American Russian-speaking Association for Civil & Human Rights (ARA) held its first national convention in New York. One of the founders, Xenia Grubstein, shed some light on ARA's mission and future.

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Economics

Going East

The State-Controlled Monster to Take Over Eastern Siberia and the Far East

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17 May 2012

The Russian government has “developed” an unprecedented level of know-how in extracting resources in Eastern Siberia and the Far East. In the near future, a new state corporation is slated to get control 60% of the territory of Russia, including the largest oil and natural gas deposits, railroads, forests, and mines in the country. The corporation will essentially function as a state-within-a-state.

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Nation

What Сan the New Decembrists Learn from Alexander Herzen?

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15 May 2012

Alexander Yanov

Historian Alexander Yanov commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of 19th century Russian thinker Alexander Herzen with the dramatic tale of his rise and fall as an essential political commentator, a story that has far-reaching implications for today's opposition movement.

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Nation

The War Is On

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09 May 2012

This year, the traditional May holidays in Russia were fraught with more than the regular dose of politics. Vladimir Putin was inaugurated to his third presidential term, Dmitry Medvedev returned to the post of the Prime Minister, and the protesters took to the street once again. The response to these demonstrations made it clear that the Russian authorities would no longer tolerate the opposition and their rallies. The protesters also made it clear that they were not going to give up. If the screws get any tighter, the political stand-off in Russia might turn into an ugly, and perhaps even bloody, confrontation.