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The Third Gas War

Details: 01 July 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya and Olga Khvostunova

The Russian-Ukrainian gas conflict that started in April has recently entered a critical phase. On June 16, Russian gas monopoly Gazprom halted transportation of gas to Ukraine, demanding that Ukraine pay its debt of almost $2 billion. And last Friday, Gazprom’s CEO Alexei Miller threatened to take measures against European companies that participate in reverse gas supplies to Ukraine. IMR analysts Tatiana Stanovaya and Olga Khvostunova analyze the specifics of the latest gas war.

Details: Politics

Russian Duma Works Miracles

Details: 01 July 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

The Russian State Duma continues to put forth a parade of absurd (and widely discussed) legislative initiatives. On June 18, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia proposed the introduction of fines for the “unjustified use of foreign words.” The following day, Oleg Mikheev, a lawmaker from A Just Russia Party, came up with the idea of banning the importation of Keds, ballet flats, and high-heeled shoes into Russia because, according to him, they harm the health of Russian citizens. Author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek discusses the Duma’s latest initiatives.

Details: Economics

Will the South Stream Be Frozen?

Details: 28 June 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya and Olga Khvostunova

The crisis in Ukraine has exacerbated many problematic aspects of the relationship between Russia and the European Union. In June, the South Stream, one of Gazprom’s most ambitious geopolitical projects, took center stage in this standoff. IMR analysts Tatiana Stanovaya and Olga Khvostunova comment on the latest conflict.

Details: Politics

Russian Governors Rush To Early Elections

Details: 25 June 2014; Tatiana Stanovaya

Since the beginning of 2014, the number of early gubernatorial elections in Russian regions has been growing. All in all, 30 governors are to be elected on Russia’s nationwide Election Day, with only 11 of them on schedule and the rest in pre-term elections. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya discusses the reasons behind such gubernatorial haste.

Details: Nation

Totalitarianism and Freedom of Speech

Details: 24 June 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

The unbridled propaganda war waged around the Ukrainian crisis once again raises the question of independence of the media. According to journalist Alexander Podrabinek, the purging of information space could be avoided if the international community promptly and decisively reacted to the first signs of suppression of freedom of speech in Russia.

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