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The tightrope walk of Russian-Israeli relations

Details: 01 April 2021; Vera Michlin-Shapir

Russia’s productive relationship with Israel remains one of the pillars of the Middle East security architecture. The two countries manage to compartmentalize their differences and cooperate on issues of mutual interest. But this fine balancing act is now facing challenges from the new U.S. administration’s foreign policy lines and Israel’s domestic political volatility.

Details: Analysis

How Russian courts create their own reality

Details: 31 March 2021; Igor Slabykh*

The majority of Russians do not trust the courts, according to the polls—and rightly so. A number of factors contribute to the country’s legal troubles, including a low ethical and professional level of judges, dependence on the executive power, inquisitorial practices in criminal proceedings. The already poor state of affairs has worsened in recent years, as judges turned to forging facts and creating their own reality that defies logic and common sense.

Details: Opinions

“Mariupol Crisis”

How Ukraine Became a Key Factor in U.S.-Russian Relations

Details: 24 March 2021; Olga Khvostunova

In recent weeks, the Biden administration has drawn a tough line with Moscow. In an interview with IMR, political commentator Andrei Piontkovsky dissects the state of U.S-Russian relations, the Western sanctions, and the growing crisis in Ukraine.

Details: Analysis

What role will Ukraine play in Russia’s relations with the Biden administration?

Details: 12 March 2021; Mykola Vorobiov

Standing up for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity was recently named by Joe Biden as a “vital concern” for the West. Kiev has also shown eagerness for closer cooperation with the United States by taking a tougher stance on Russia. Against this backdrop, Moscow might look to raise the political stakes, using Ukraine as a staging ground for confrontation with the West.

Details: Analysis

“Zeroing-out” Anniversary

Details: 10 March 2021; Ekaterina Mishina

On March 10, 2020, during the second reading of the draft law on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, first-woman-in-space-turned-deputy Valentina Tereshkova put forward a surprise proposal—to reset, or “zero out,” the number of presidential terms for Vladimir Putin. The ensuing political theater once again confirmed that some candidates for the presidency are always more equal than others.

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