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Dotted Moscow–Pyongyang Axis

Details: 17 April 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

Despite the lack of strategic interests or benefits, the Russian leadership frequently acts as North Korea’s defender on the world stage. According to author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek, the reason lies in the closeness of values and mentality in Moscow and in Pyongyang.

Details: World

Magnitsky List: To Be Continued

Details: 16 April 2013; Vladimir Kara-Murza

On April 12, the United States government, complying with the Magnitsky Act, has published a list of Russian officials who are ineligible to receive a US visa or own US assets because of their complicity in human rights violations. While the initial list was more than modest, IMR Senior Policy Advisor Vladimir Kara-Murza notes that its publication has set a number of important precedents—and that the list is by no means final.

Details: Politics

Putin the Puppet Master?

Details: 16 April 2013; Donald N. Jensen

Once an arbiter of competing interests and clans within Russia’s ruling elite, Vladimir Putin has firmly embedded himself in the reactionary camp, leading the establishment to think about a possible successor in the Kremlin. Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, argues that Putin’s hard line may spell his own political demise.

Details: Politics

Putin's Corruption Trap

Details: 15 April 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

The fight against corruption is a perpetual topic in Russia: it has been discussed for centuries, but almost no one believes that the situation can ever be improved. For the last five years, however, the Russian government seems to have become more involved in the problem. Since last fall, a number of big corruption scandals have broken. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya considers whether the fight against corruption is the government's real objective or just another instrument to solve the Kremlin's political problems.

Details: Nation

“Putin and his inner circle have been slowly implementing an anti-constitutional coup”

Details: 11 April 2013; Olga Khvostunova

During the past month, hundreds of Russian NGOs—including Memorial, the Public Verdict Foundation, and For Human Rights movement—were inspected by prosecutors. Lev Ponomaryov, head of For Human Rights and a former member of the Russian State Duma, spoke with IMR’s Olga Khvostunova about the reasons for these inspections and their consequences for Russia.

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