Home - Institute of Modern Russia

Bulgakov Diplomacy, U.S. Icebreakers, and Ukrainian Democracy Under Siege

29 August – 4 September 2015

Details: 04 September 2015

In this week’s media highlights, writer Liesl Schillinger in Foreign Policy examines a Kremlin-backed project to produce a collection of Russian literature in English. Also, Andrew Revkin of The New York Times writes about U.S. and Russian activities in the Arctic.

Details: Economics

Russia’s $100 Billion Pension System Is a Dangerous Zombie. Part 2

Details: 03 September 2015; Ezekiel Pfeifer

In part one of this two-part story, IMR analyst Ezekiel Pfeifer examined how the Russian pension system managed to build up annual deficits of more than $50 billion. In part two, he attempts to answer the eternal Russian question in relation to this massive problem: What is to be done?

Details: Economics

Russia’s $100 Billion Pension System Is a Dangerous Zombie. Part 1

Details: 02 September 2015; Ezekiel Pfeifer

According to current projections, Russia’s pension system faces annual deficits of more than $50 billion in the coming years, while the number of retirees is on the rise. The government has tinkered with the system in an attempt to fill the gap, but some experts insist that the changes have only made things worse. In part one of a two-part story, IMR analyst Ezekiel Pfeifer examines the origins of the pension system’s acute and chronic ailments.

Details: World

Can the Chinese Dragon Save the Russian Bear?

Details: 01 September 2015; Cyrus Newlin, Ezekiel Pfeifer

As Vladimir Putin heads to Beijing this week to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, investors and officials in both countries are preoccupied with the nations’ mounting economic woes. For Russia, the Chinese slowdown is particularly vexing, since it puts up a potential roadblock to the Kremlin’s “pivot” to the east. Independent researcher Cyrus Newlin and IMR analyst Ezekiel Pfeifer examine the shifting landscape and attempt to determine whether Russia can count on China to drive its economy forward.

Details: Media Must-Reads

Conscription Conundrum, No Putin Street, and Six Months After Nemtsov’s Murder

22–28 August 2015

Details: 28 August 2015

Amid Russia’s drive to modernize its military hardware, another problem with its armed forces has been subjected to less scrutiny: a shortage of willing soldiers, Elisabeth Braw writes in Foreign Affairs. Also this week, Tom Balmforth of RFE/RL writes about the obstacles facing investigators who are probing the killing of Boris Nemtsov.

Our newsletter delivers a digest of analytical articles and op-eds published on our website, along with the latest updates on the IMR activities on a monthly basis.