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Experts: Russia Is Not a “Brutal” Dictatorship, But Power Transfer Will Be Chaotic

Details: 05 October 2016; Daniel Frey

On September 21, Center on Global Interests (CGI) held a discussion titled “Arrested Development: Rethinking Politics in Putin’s Russia” at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. A group of distinguished panelists, including Maria Lipman, Kirill Rogov, Nikolai Petrov and Andrei Soldatov, shared their views of the current developments in Russian politics, the nature and trajectory of Putin's regime, and the specifics of the public mood in Russia. Daniel Treisman moderated the discussion. Below are the key points made by the speakers.

Details: Media Must-Reads

Putin’s Outlaw State, MH17 Propaganda, and the Case of Putin’s Millionaire Friend

September 26-October 2

Details: 02 October 2016

This week, in the Western media highlights, The New York Times argues that under Vladimir Putin’s rule Russia is rapidly turning into an outlaw nation. Mark Galeotti in his op-ed for CNN details the Kremlin’s propaganda playbook. Meanwhile, in the Russian media, TV Rain released an investigation into the background of Pyotr Kolbin, a mysterious, Forbes-ranked Russian millionaire, who happens to be a childhood friend of Vladimir Putin. And Kirill Rogov breaks down Russia’s social structure into three groups, providing an insight into the recent Duma elections.

Details: Media Must-Reads

Reincarnation of the KGB, Putin’s Ideology Hero, and Russia’s Liberal Utopia

September 19-25

Details: 25 September 2016

In this week’s Western media highlights, Andrei Soldatov explains in Foreign Policy the implications of the potential revival of the Ministry of State Security in Russia, which he calls a “reincarnation of the KGB.” Timothy Snyder delves into Russia’s political history and analyzes the influence that one particular figure—philosopher Ivan Ilyin—has gained over Putin and the rest of the Kremlin elites. Meanwhile, in the Russian media, experts have been discussing Russia’s recent parliamentary elections and the flaws in Russian liberal thinking.

Details: Event Briefings

Experts: The U.S. Should Not Promote Democracy in Russia Because This Plays into Putin’s Hands

Details: 19 September 2016; Daniel Frey*

Last week, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace held a discussion on what the 2016 elections mean for the U.S.-Russia relations. At the event, co-hosted by the Center on Global Interests, M. Steven Fish and Stephen Sestanovich shared their insights on the topic. IMR is publishing a summary of the key points made during the discussion.

Details: Media Must-Reads

The Bastrykin Controversy, the U.S. Problem with the Kremlin, and Russia’s Political Narcissism

September 12-18

Details: 18 September 2016

In this week’s Western media highlights, Mark Galeotti explains the rumors behind the alleged resignation of Alexander Bastrykin, notorious head of Russia’s Investigative Committee. And Walter Russell Mead discusses Russia’s re-emergence as a superpower in the Middle East in the context of the U.S. foreign policy. In the Russian media, Alexander Rubtsov analyzes Putin’s regime from the political psychology angle, and Denis Volkov delves into the unpopularity problem of Russia’s liberal parties.

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