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The Kremlin's Foreign Policy: Words and Deeds

Details: 10 April 2013; Donald N. Jensen

Russia’s new foreign policy doctrine proclaims a responsible and “multivectoral” course of action in international affairs. However, according to Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, the Kremlin’s actions often contrast with its rhetoric.

Details: Nation

Soviet Forever

Details: 10 April 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

The Russian authorities’ efforts to bring back Soviet-era symbols are a sure indicator of their determination to return to Soviet repressive practices. Author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek emphasizes that Russian society still has time to stop and reverse this trend.

Details: Politics

The Russian Duma: Countdown to Dissolution

Details: 09 April 2013; Vladimir Kara-Murza

There has long been talk about the Kremlin’s plans to dissolve the current State Duma and call early parliamentary elections—not only political analysts, but Duma members themselves have been discussing this possibility. The latest developments only confirm the likelihood of such a scenario. IMR Senior Policy Advisor Vladimir Kara-Murza discusses who—the regime or the opposition—will benefit from early Duma elections.

Details: Politics

ARPF: Phantom of a New Ruling Party

Details: 08 April 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

In late March, Vladimir Putin participated in a conference held by the All-Russia People’s Front (ARPF). The ARPF’s first congress, which is supposed to take place in the near future, will finally give the “movement,” which now exists only in newspapers and on TV, a legal form. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya discusses whether the ARPF is a prototype of a new ruling party or a parody of a political movement.

Details: Law

Again, Those Annoying Human Rights

Details: 08 April 2013; Ekaterina Mishina

At Vladimir Putin’s request, Russian lawmakers are toughening the rules on residency registration and criminal liability for violating them. According to IMR Advisor Ekaterina Mishina, a prominent Russian legal scholar, the new amendments would de facto annul the priority of rights over obligations that is enshrined in the Russian Constitution.

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