Opinions - Institute of Modern Russia

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Putin’s Rating: How Much Would You Like?

Details: Opinions

Putin’s Rating: How Much Would You Like?

Details: 08 July 2015; Alexander Podrabinek

According to the latest poll by the Levada Center, Vladimir Putin’s approval rating has reached 89%—a record figure for his 15-year hold on power. Alexander Podrabinek argues that since it is practically impossible to verify the trustworthiness of the figures involved, the results of the poll should be viewed skeptically.

The Show Will Go On

Details: Opinions

The Show Will Go On

Details: 11 May 2015; Alexander Podrabinek

Surrounding May 9, Victory Day, which commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany, the solemn voices of newsreaders, propagandists, and spokesmen of the Russian government sounded louder than ever. According to writer Alexander Podrabinek, authorities at all levels are seeking to use the World War II military victory as the basis for a national idea, while Russian society, being ideologically inexperienced, attempts to imitate the authorities.

Mobilization of Russia’s Opposition

Details: Opinions

Mobilization of Russia’s Opposition

Details: 05 May 2015; Alexander Podrabinek

On April 17, Mikhail Kasyanov’s Republican Party of Russia—People’s Freedom Party (RPR-Parnas) and Alexei Navalny’s Party of Progress announced the creation of an oppositional coalition, which has since been joined by other opposition forces, in preparation for Russia’s upcoming elections. However, according to writer Alexander Podrabinek, under the current political regime even unified opposition forces have very slight chances of winning. The April 28 decision by Russia’s Ministry of Justice to bar the Party of Progress from registering in the upcoming elections proves this point.

Sergei Aleksashenko: “Like homeopathy, sanctions work slowly”

Details: Opinions

Sergei Aleksashenko: “Like homeopathy, sanctions work slowly”

Details: 04 May 2015; Leonid Martynyuk

The Institute of Modern Russia continues its series of interviews with Russian and Western experts on the situation in Russia, its relationship with the West, and the future of its political system. Journalist Leonid Martynyuk spoke with former chairman of Russia’s Central Bank, economist Sergei Aleksashenko, about the social and political situation in the country, the Kremlin’s propaganda, Putin’s tactics in Donbass, and the efficiency of Western sanctions.

Corruption Circle

Details: Opinions

Corruption Circle

Details: 08 April 2015; Alexander Podrabinek

The case of deputy of city council Tatyana Kotlyar, who has registered about a thousand immigrants at her apartment for free, is now being prosecuted in Obninsk. According to writer Alexander Podrabinek, this criminal case against Kotlyar is a natural extension of a thoroughly corrupted political system and illegal laws that contradict the provisions of the Russian Constitution.

Dmitry Oreshkin: “In the light of Nemtsov’s murder, Putin looks like a weak and dependent politician”

Details: Opinions

Dmitry Oreshkin: “In the light of Nemtsov’s murder, Putin looks like a weak and dependent politician”

Details: 06 April 2015; Leonid Martynyuk

The Institute of Modern Russia continues its series of interviews with Russian and Western experts on the situation in Russia, its relationship with the West, and the future of its political system. Journalist Leonid Martynyuk speaks with prominent Russian political scientist Dmitry Oreshkin about the assassination of Boris Nemtsov, Putin’s policy toward Ukraine, and its consequences.

Andrei Piontkovsky: “Putin’s Concept of the ‘Russian World’ Threatens All Territories with a Russian Population”

Details: Opinions

Andrei Piontkovsky: “Putin’s Concept of the ‘Russian World’ Threatens All Territories with a Russian Population”

Details: 24 March 2015; Leonid Martynyuk

The Institute of Modern Russia introduces a series of interviews with Russian and Western experts on the situation in Russia, its relationship with the West, and the future of its political system. In the first article of the series, Leonid Martynyuk interviews prominent Russian political analyst Andrei Piontkovsky.

Akhmed Zakayev: “The decision for the ‘hit list’ was made not in Grozny, but in Moscow.”

Details: Opinions

Akhmed Zakayev: “The decision for the ‘hit list’ was made not in Grozny, but in Moscow.”

Details: 20 March 2015; Elena Servettaz

Akhmed Zakayev, political emigrant and head of the government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in exile, spoke with Elena Servettaz about his take on Boris Nemtsov’s murder and the involvement of the Chechen “North” battalion fighters, about the relationship between Ramzan Kadyrov and Vladimir Putin and the so-called “hit list” of the Russian opposition.

Lustrations: Threat or Hope?

Details: Opinions

Lustrations: Threat or Hope?

Details: 10 March 2015; Alexander Podrabinek

Talk of lustrations has recently started up again in Russia. The discussion was provoked by the recent accusations against RPR-PARNAS activist Lev Dmitriyev of insulting a judge. Many people see lustrations as a hopeful pathway toward a democratic future for Russia. However, according to writer Alexander Podrabinek, for lustrations to succeed, the cleansing of totalitarian ideology should first take place in people’s minds.

Four Bullets in the Back of Russia’s Democracy

Details: Opinions

Four Bullets in the Back of Russia’s Democracy

Details: 06 March 2015; Leonid Martynyuk

On February 27, Russian democratic opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was shot dead in the center of Moscow. Leonid Martynyuk, Nemtsov’s colleague and co-author, discusses the opposition leader’s political career and puts forward a theory about who could have ordered his killing.

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