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U.S. Congress Is Upset with the Kremlin Report

Congressmen demand clarity on Russia sanctions under CAATSA from the Trump administration

Details: 31 January 2018

On January 29, the U.S. Treasury released the so-called “Kremlin report,” which includes a list of Russian officials and businesspeople who may be sanctioned under Article 241 of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). As the Treasury underscored in its official statement, “this report is not a sanctions list.” Which means it “does not impose sanctions on [the included] individuals or entities. Nor does it create any other restrictions, prohibitions, or limitations on dealings with such persons by either U.S. or foreign persons.”

Details: Media Must-Reads

Davos-2018, Boycott or Ghetto, Putin's Technocrats

Russian media roundup, January 20-26, 2018

Details: 26 January 2018

In this week’s roundup: Oleg Bouklemishev explains why the Russian elite does not aspire to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos; Vladimir Pastukhov examines the evolution of Putin’s inner circle, arguing that today, the military holds a dangerous level of power; Alexander Kynev discusses Ksenia Sobchak’s and Alexei Navalny’s campaign strategies, each presenting a very different future; Vladimir Gelman details how the Kremlin sees the “digital revolution” as the missing link in ameliorating state management; and Lilia Shevtsova argues that instead of an imminent “reset” with the U.S., Russia should expect only a sharp downturn in the international sphere.

Details: Opinions

Anders Åslund: “Sanction People Who Do Bad Things in Russia, Not Russians.”

Details: 23 January 2018; Olga Khvostunova

On January 29, the U.S. Treasury is set to submit the so-called “Kremlin Report,” a highly anticipated list of Russian individuals facing sanctions under Section 241 of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The report is already causing anxiety in the Russian elite. Olga Khvostunova spoke with Anders Åslund, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, co-author of the report “How to Identify the Kremlin Ruling Elite and its Agents.”

Details: Event Briefings

Freedom in the World 2018: Democracy in Crisis

Details: 24 January 2018; Daniel Frey

On January 16, Freedom House, along with the American Enterprise Institute, Center for American Progress, and a group of internationally renowned experts, unveiled its latest report, “Freedom in the World 2018.” The report notes that 2017 marked yet another year of decline for freedom worldwide—the 12th consecutive one on record, by Freedom House’s count—as well as a continuation of democratic backsliding in the United States itself. Among the event’s notable panelists and speakers were Open Russia’s Vladimir Kara-Murza and U.S. Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE).

Details: Media Must-Reads

Big Reshuffle, “Kremlin Report,” Putin and 2018 Elections

Russian media roundup, January 12-19, 2018

Details: 19 January 2018

In this week’s roundup, New Times discusses the reshuffling expected in the Kremlin and the government after the March 18 elections; Vladimir Frolov writes about the new round of U.S. sanctions and the Kremlin reaction to it; Alexander Baunov argues that in the upcoming elections Vladimir Putin is planning to beat an issue, not an opponent; Alexander Rubtsov of the Center for the Study of Ideological Processes contends that Putin needs a resounding victory; and in another piece this week, Rubtsov discusses the role of ideology in the Russian political process. .

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