Institute of Modern Russia

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Media Must-Reads

Nemtsov’s Murder Anniversary, the Effects of Propaganda, and Putin’s "Useful Idiots"

20–26 February

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26 February 2016

In this week’s Western media highlights, Alina Polyakova explains in Foreign Policy why Vladimir Putin’s influence in Europe should neither be blamed on the EU nor taken lightly. And in the newest installment of her American Interest series of articles, Lilia Shevtsova notes that Western “pragmatists” often borrow their arguments directly from the Kremlin’s playbook. Meanwhile, in Russia, Novaya Gazeta published a must-read investigation into Boris Nemtsov’s murder. And Lev Gudkov, head of the Levada Center, analyzes the effects of the propaganda campaign in Russia.

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Politics

13 Takeaways from Ilya Yashin’s Kadyrov Report

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25 February 2016

On February 23, Ilya Yashin presented his long-anticipated report entitled “Threat to National Security” exposing the controversial rule of Ramzan Kadyrov. Below are some key facts about the Chechen president.

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Media Must-Reads

The Problem With Lavrov, Russia’s Moves in Syria, and “Four Patriotisms”

13–19 February

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20 February 2016

In this week’s media highlights, we introduce a new twist by recapping not only Western media on Russia, but also three key analytical articles from the Russian media that help untangle the intricacies of the problems facing Russia today. In Foreign Policy, Mark Galeotti profiles Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, arguing that this bright diplomat deserves a better position than just articulating the Kremlin’s narrative. And in Forbes Russia, Alexander Rubtsov studies Russian patriotism—a concept that President Vladimir Putin has recently designated as Russia’s national idea.

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Economics

Russia’s Post-Crimea Enthusiasm Wearing Off

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16 February 2016

Sergei Aleksashenko

Sergei Aleksashenko, nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and former deputy chairman of the Russian Central Bank, looks at the preliminary statistical data published by the country’s Federal Service of State Statistics (Rosstat), and notes that though officials try to downplay inflation growth, pessimism among Russian citizens is increasing. A deterioration of living standards is causing the country’s post-Crimea “patriotic enthusiasm” to wear off.