Home - Institute of Modern Russia

Is the Protest Mood Shifting from Moscow to the Regions?

Details: 24 July 2013; Donald N. Jensen

A new study published by the Center for Strategic Research concludes that protest sentiments in Russia are shifting from large cities to the provinces and are becoming more economic and social than political. Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, discusses the potential dangers for the Putin regime.

Details: Politics

Navalny's Choice

Details: 19 July 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

On July 18th, the Kirov Court predictably sentenced Alexei Navalny to five years in prison. But the next day Navalny was released after the prosecution appealed the court’s decision. According to writer and analyst Alexander Podrabinek, the government gave the oppositionist one last chance to leave the country.

Details: World

The Snowden Dilemma

Details: 19 July 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

The story of Edward Snowden, a former contractor of the US National Security Agency who is stuck in Russia after leaking details of several top-secret US and British surveillance programs to the press, throws into relief the deadlock of Russian-American relations. A lover of truth has dropped from the sky onto the Kremlin’s head, and he’s interfering with the relationship between Moscow and Washington. Political analyst Tatyana Stanovaya explains Putin’s interests in Snowden’s case.

Details: Politics

Why the Regime Cultivates the Concept of the “National Insecurity”

Details: 18 July 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

The Russian government has passed many laws that limit criticism. Under the cover of fighting for eternal values, the builders of the new authoritarianism have adopted a cynical approach to achieving their political goals. Author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek reasons through the regime’s myths and insecurities.

Details: Politics

The End of the Affair: Abramovich Leaves Chukotka

Details: 18 July 2013; Donald N. Jensen

Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has recently resigned from his post as chairman of the legislature in the Chukotka autonomous district in the Russian Far East, bringing to an end one of the oddest political pairings in Russian politics. As Donald N. Jensen, resident fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, points out, this resignation is another sign of a broader Kremlin campaign to consolidate its grip on power.

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.