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Putin’s Foreign Legion, Pensioners’ Plight, and the Eurasianist Folly

17–23 October 2015

Details: 23 October 2015

In this week’s media highlights, Paul R. Gregory writes in Politco about the Kremlin’s novel tactic of relying on mercenaries in its incursions into Ukraine and Syria. Also, Vladimir Lukin writes in The National Interest about the balance of Europeanism and Eurasianism in the policies of Russian rulers, and argues that Eurasianism has always spelled doom for the country.

Details: Politics

Russia’s Elites Battle Over a Shrinking Economic Pie

Details: 21 October 2015; Donald N. Jensen

President Vladimir Putin faces an immense challenge in addressing Russia’s economic crisis, which has sent shockwaves through the ranks of the political and business elites. The government has cut budget spending by 10 percent and Putin has tightened the reins at state firms, intensifying competition for resources, writes Donald N. Jensen, resident fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations.

Details: Event Briefings

‘The Economic and Political Future of Ukraine’: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Holds Hearing

Details: 22 October 2015; Anastasiya Moroz

On October 8, the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee met with three current and former U.S. officials to discuss the challenges facing Ukraine, the United States’ role in aiding the country, and the West’s response to Russia’s foreign military incursions.

Details: Event Briefings

‘Russian Strategy and Military Operations’: Senate Armed Services Committee Holds Hearing

Details: 21 October 2015; Ezekiel Pfeifer

On October 8, the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, chaired by Senator John McCain (R-AZ), held a hearing to discuss Russia’s intervention in Syria and its aggressive posturing in Eastern Europe. Four experts on Russia and its military capabilities gave testimony, arguing that the United States should react more assertively to Russia’s hawkish behavior.

Details: Opinions

Building a Viable Opposition

Details: 19 October 2015; Reid Nelson

After the Russian opposition’s discouraging performance in the Kostroma regional election in September, activists have been asking themselves the question: What is the way forward? Their focus has been primarily on how to increase their vote totals, but according to Reid Nelson, the opposition first needs to formulate a long-term development strategy and ancillary goals for elections, which will help it to establish a well-functioning organization—and, eventually, to gain power.

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