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The Real Winner at the GOP Convention, Why a Military Coup Is Impossible in Russia, and Pavel Sheremet’s Murder

July 16–22

Details: 22 July 2016

In this week’s Western media highlights, a number of publications, including the Huffington Post, wrote about controversial connections between Donald Trump’s aides and Vladimir Putin’s inner circle. Professor Nikolas Gvosdev argued in the National Interest that Putin also scored from Turkey’s failed military coup. Meanwhile, in the Russian media, Alexander Baunov explained why such a military coup could not be conceived in Russia. And the journalism community, shaken by the murder of a colleague, Pavel Sheremet, discussed the motives and political implications of this tragedy.

Details: Economics

Sergey Aleksashenko: “The government is driving the economy into stagnation”

Details: 19 July 2016; Sergey Aleksashenko

In his latest commentary on recent events in the Russian economy, Sergey Aleksashenko, nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, analyzes the outlines of Russian budgetary policy and pension reform, the latest data about the automotive and mortgage markets, the possible sale by Mikhail Prokhorov of his business, and Gazprom’s dubious plans. His conclusion: it is becoming less and less comfortable to live and do business in Russia, even for those who are loyal to the system.

Details: Media Must-Reads

The NATO Summit Winners and Losers, Russia’s Sexual Violence Problem, and Who Lives in Valdai Next to Putin

July 9-15

Details: 15 July 2016

In this week’s Western media highlights, James Stavridis recaps in Foreign Policy the recent NATO Summit in Warsaw, naming Putin its top loser. And Damic Marusic discusses in the American Interest a failed attempt to hush up a diplomatic incident involving an alleged American spy earlier in June that led to mutual expulsion of diplomats by Washington and Moscow. Meanwhile, in the Russian media RBC published a new investigation into the ownership of the land surrounding Putin’s presidential residence in Valdai. And Kirill Martynov dissects at Slon.ru the public reaction to the social media campaign hashtagged #IAmNotAfraidToSay.

Details: World

NATO and Russia: a Sisyphean Cycle of Escalation?

Details: 13 July 2016; Daniel Frey

Today, on July 13, the NATO-Russia Council will hold its third meeting, albeit at an ambassadorial level, since cooperation under its auspices was suspended in April 2014 in response to the Kremlin’s aggression in Ukraine. Both NATO and Russia continue to have “profound and persistent disagreements,” but in light of intensifying geopolitical tensions in Europe and the Middle East, as well as Russia’s ongoing economic crisis, it’s become clear that a dialogue of some sort is necessary. With international affairs fundamentals changing in real time, a re-examination of the tumultuous relationship between NATO and Russia can help develop a more realistic view of the existing differences, set priorities straight, and pave the way to start bridging the gap.

Details: Media Must-Reads

Putin’s New Détente, The Brain-Drain Myth, and the Problem with Russia’s Ethics

July 2–8

Details: 08 July 2016

In this week’s Western media highlights, Vladimir Frolov discusses in the Moscow Times the Kremlin’s recent attempts to decrease tension with the West, which, despite Putin’s arrogant rhetoric, has caused Russia economic woes and diplomatic isolation. And Leonid Bershidsky argues in Bloomberg View that Russia’s brain-drain problem might be exaggerated. Meanwhile, in the Russian media, Andrei Arkhanguelsky dissects what he calls the “moral catastrophe” that occurred in his country following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

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