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Russian-Speaking Americans: United to Help

Details: 18 May 2012; Xenia Grubstein

On May 6th, the American Russian-speaking Association for Civil & Human Rights (ARA) held its first national convention in New York. One of the founders, Xenia Grubstein, shed some light on ARA's mission and future.

Details: Economics

Going East

The State-Controlled Monster to Take Over Eastern Siberia and the Far East

Details: 17 May 2012

The Russian government has “developed” an unprecedented level of know-how in extracting resources in Eastern Siberia and the Far East. In the near future, a new state corporation is slated to get control 60% of the territory of Russia, including the largest oil and natural gas deposits, railroads, forests, and mines in the country. The corporation will essentially function as a state-within-a-state.

Details: Nation

What Сan the New Decembrists Learn from Alexander Herzen?

Details: 15 May 2012; Alexander Yanov

Historian Alexander Yanov commemorates the 200th anniversary of the birth of 19th century Russian thinker Alexander Herzen with the dramatic tale of his rise and fall as an essential political commentator, a story that has far-reaching implications for today's opposition movement.

Details: Nation

The War Is On

Details: 09 May 2012

This year, the traditional May holidays in Russia were fraught with more than the regular dose of politics. Vladimir Putin was inaugurated to his third presidential term, Dmitry Medvedev returned to the post of the Prime Minister, and the protesters took to the street once again. The response to these demonstrations made it clear that the Russian authorities would no longer tolerate the opposition and their rallies. The protesters also made it clear that they were not going to give up. If the screws get any tighter, the political stand-off in Russia might turn into an ugly, and perhaps even bloody, confrontation.

Details: Politics

The Simulacrum of a President

Details: 07 May 2012; Olga Khvostunova

On May 7th, Dmitry Medvedev, the third Russian President, officially left office. During his term, he launched a number of promising initiatives, including countrywide modernization, a war on corruption, and founding the Russian Silicon Valley. However, almost all of his endeavors led to the opposite of their intended result. IMR's Olga Khvostunova details Medvedev's progress through the political apparatus to show why these failures were inevitable.

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