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Moscow’s Stance on Syria, Regional Elections, and U.S.-Soviet Friendship

12–18 September 2015

Details: 18 September 2015

Nikolay Kozhanov writes for Chatham House this week about Putin’s motives in boosting the Russian military presence to Syria. Also, Maxim Trudolyubov in The New York Times analyzes the Kremlin’s strategy of keeping tight control over regional elections.

Details: Opinions

Igor Sutyagin: ‘The Likelihood of War with the West, Alas, Is Far from Zero’

Details: 15 September 2015; Olga Khvostunova

Over the last year, the rhetoric of war has increasingly colored discussions about relations between Russia and the West. More American and European military and political figures have started calling Russia the main threat to the security of their countries, and Moscow has ordered more large-scale military exercises than usual, in regions from the Arctic to the Far East. Igor Sutyagin, senior research assistant at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), spoke with Imrussia.org editor-in-chief Olga Khvostunova about the combat readiness of Russian forces and the prospect of a military conflict breaking out between Russia and the West.

Details: Politics

Kadyrov, Putin, and the Whitewashing of the Nemtsov Investigation

Details: 14 September 2015; Donald N. Jensen

Six months after the murder of Boris Nemtsov, it seems increasingly likely that the man suspected of ordering the killing will avoid criminal charges, thanks to his close connections to Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov. This protection granted to Kadyrov and his inner circle by Vladimir Putin could eventually result in a major crisis for the Russian government, argues Donald Jensen, resident fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations.

Details: Media Must-Reads

Crimea Costs, Ukraine Police Reform, and Russian Troops in Syria

5–11 September 2015

Details: 11 September 2015

Ilan Berman writes in Foreign Affairs about the array of expensive problems Russia must fix in Crimea, including stubbornly entrenched corruption and outdated infrastructure. Also, Reid Standish in Foreign Policy examines the social media presence of Russian servicemen who are apparently aiding Bashar Assad’s forces in Syria.

Details: World

Does Anyone Want Ukraine’s Donbass?

Details: 10 September 2015; Luke Johnson

Fighting between Ukraine and the Russian-backed rebels of Luhansk and Donetsk has quieted in recent weeks, but there is little clarity about the future of the two breakaway regions. Will Ukraine succeed in reintegrating them? Or will Russia attempt to annex them? The situation remains murky, but some meaningful clues exist regarding what might happen next to the war-torn territory, writes independent journalist Luke Johnson.

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