Institute of Modern Russia

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Politics

Moscow Recruits Interpol

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02 May 2013

Alexander Podrabinek

The Russian authorities have requested an Interpol Red Notice against William Browder, head of the Hermitage Capital Management investment fund and a key architect of the Magnitsky Act. Author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek notes that Interpol has a history of honoring the Kremlin’s politically motivated requests.

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Politics

The Advantages of Terrorism

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29 April 2013

Alexander Podrabinek

After the terror attacks in Boston, the Kremlin has offered to increase counterterrorism cooperation with the White House. Author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek notes that Russia’s current regime will use any issue to gain political advantage.

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Politics

Nature and Model

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25 April 2013

Poel Karp

In March, the IMR website published an article by Alexander Podrabinek entitled “The Western Alternative,” in which the author argued in favor of the Western model of political development for Russia. Answering Podrabinek, poet and sociologist Poel Karp presents his take on this issue.

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Politics

The Propaganda of the Putin Era

Part Three: Simulated Democracy

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25 April 2013

The Institute of Modern Russia completes a series of articles on the Kremlin’s propaganda machine created to support the regime both internally and beyond its borders. In the first and second installments we spoke about systemic propaganda tools. The third installment will focus on more specialized instruments—structures that may look like democratic institutions, but under closer scrutiny turn out to be empty simulations.

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Politics

Russian Taxpayer: Open Bar!

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23 April 2013

Tatiana Stanovaya

In late March, experts, lawyers, and the opposition were shocked by the insolence of a bill introduced to the State Duma. Document #243734-6 allows Russian citizens to demand compensation through the courts for “foreign courts’ unjust decisions” at the expense of Russian taxpayers. A part of the elite that is worried by the possible requisition of their foreign assets supports this questionable bill. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya ponders whether the Kremlin will accommodate these lobbyists.

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Politics

Putin’s Crackdown, Magnitsky Sanctions Discussed at JBANC Conference

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23 April 2013

On April 19–20, the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) held its 10th annual conference in Washington DC. The key topics of discussion included the deteriorating political and human rights situation in Russia, and the prospects for EU visa sanctions against Russian human rights abusers modeled on the US Magnitsky Act.

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Politics

Attract and Rule? Lessons of Soft Power from BRICS Countries

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18 April 2013

Boris Bruk

The role of “soft power” in international relations is growing. The creation of a positive image is becoming an integral part of a country’s foreign policy. This has been well understood by the leaders of BRICS countries. However, as IMR Advisor Boris Bruk points out, Russia’s current leadership is unlikely to improve its image in the world while it continues with its current policies.

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Politics

Dotted Moscow–Pyongyang Axis

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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.

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Putin the Puppet Master?

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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.

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Politics

Putin's Corruption Trap

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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.