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Games: Olympic and Political

Details: 27 August 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

The upcoming Sochi Olympics once again raise the question of the appropriateness of holding international sporting events in authoritarian countries. Author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek recalls the history of Olympic boycotts—which have always drawn irritation from sports officials.

Details: Politics

The Kremlin and Prokhorov

Details: 21 August 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

The atmosphere surrounding Russia’s regional elections scheduled for September 8 is rather contradictory. On one hand, the Kremlin has made it clear that the nonsystemic opposition will be allowed to participate in the elections—Alexei Navalny was registered as a candidate for Moscow mayor. On the other hand, Mikhail Prokhorov’s Civic Platform Party has been removed from the ballot almost everywhere. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya discusses the reasons why the Kremlin is afraid of this party.

Details: Politics

Putin Brings Disappointment Back from Baku

Details: 21 August 2013; Donald N. Jensen

Vladimir Putin’s visit to Baku was a disappointment to the Kremlin, but, as Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, argues, Moscow will likely continue its efforts to draw Azerbaijan into its sphere of influence.

Details: Press

Farewell to the “Reset”

Details: 13 August 2013; Vladimir Kara-Murza

The op-ed by IMR Senior Policy Advisor Vladimir Kara-Murza in the New Times magazine on the cancellation of the Obama-Putin summit.

Details: Economics

Russia's Murky Angola Debt Deal

Details: 20 August 2013; Boris Bruk

The circumstances surrounding the repayment of Angola’s debt to Russia—which has been called one of the biggest corruption schemes of the recent years—still offer more questions than answers. At least two prominent businessmen from the former Soviet Union were involved in this deal: Arcadi Gaydamak and Vitaly Malkin. IMR Advisor Boris Bruk has examined the details of the Angola debt deal.

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