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What Awaits Russian Society, the Anti-corruption Road Roller, and Interview with Vladimir Voinovich

November 19-23

Details: 23 November 2016

In this week’s roundup Republic reports from the Forum of Civil Initiatives, a get-together of Russia’s prominent experts; Transparency International’s Ilya Shumanov discusses the unraveling of the anti-corruption campaign; international lawyer Vladimir Zhbanenkov explains the context of Russia’s withdrawal from ICC; and Novaya Gazeta speaks to writer Vladimir Voinovich on Russian politics, the protest movement, and the perspectives of revolutionary change.

Details: Event Briefings

The Kremlin’s Trojan Horses

Details: 22 November 2016; Daniel Frey

On November 15, 2016, the Atlantic Council launched a report titled “The Kremlin’s Trojan Horses: Russian Influence in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom” and held a panel discussion on the ultra-right forces in the West with a number of prominent experts, including Marlene Laruelle, Mitchell Orenstein, Péter Krekó, Andreas Umland, as well as Neil Barnett and Josh Rogin. Atlantic Council’s Alina Polyakova moderated the discussion.

Details: Economics

Sergey Aleksashenko: “I’d Like to Believe the Worst Is Over for the Russian People”

Details: 18 November 2016; Sergey Aleksashenko

In his latest commentary about recent events in the Russian economy, Sergey Aleksashenko, nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, analyzes the recent data on the Russian economy and notes that despite the general decline, the basic industries and defense sector are, in fact, showing positive dynamics. At the same time, the government supported the Finance Ministry’s proposal to freeze budget expenditures for the next 18 years, a move that will essentially scrap all the budget policies implemented by President Putin in the past.

Details: Media Must-Reads

The Ulyukayev Affair, Russia’s Budget Plans, and Potential Trump-Putin Deals

November 12-18

Details: 18 November 2016

In this week’s Russian media roundup: Andrei Pertsev suggests that Aleksei Ulyukayev’s arrest may be a sign of a dangerous rift inside the Kremlin; Vladimir Milov argues that the whole Ulyukauev affair is Igor Sechin’s revenge; Vedomosti’s editorial notes that fighting corruption in Russia is just a show; Andrei Movchan analyzes Russia’s budget plan for 2017-2019 and makes insightful observations; and Vladimir Frolov discusses the deals that Putin and Donald Trump may attempt to strike.

Details: Book Reviews

What the West Can Do About Putin’s Master Plan

Details: 17 November 2016; Nathan Andrews

What is Putin thinking? What will his next move be? What is his ultimate goal? These are just just a fraction of the questions about Vladimir Putin’s Russia that have been occupying the minds of the Western officials, pundits, journalists, and numerous Russia observers. A new book titled Putin’s Master Plan provides a possible range of answers and policy recommendations on how to tackle the resurgent Russia. IMR contributing author Nathan Andrews discusses the book, noting, however, that the authors do not provide a holistic view of the issue, as their vision mainly reflects the approach typical of some factions inside the U.S. political system.

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