Politics - Institute of Modern Russia

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The Question “Who is Mr. Putin?” Still Unanswered

Details: Politics

The Question “Who is Mr. Putin?” Still Unanswered

Details: 14 March 2013; Boris Bruk

After 13 years of Vladimir Putin’s rule over Russia, scholars are still pondering over the real persona of the Kremlin leader. IMR Advisor Boris Bruk analyzes the various studies dedicated to this subject, and draws his own conclusions.

The Price of “People's Love” for Putin

Details: Politics

The Price of “People's Love” for Putin

Details: 13 March 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

In early March, a pro-Kremlin rally against the adoption of Russian orphans by foreigners took place in Moscow. According to the Interior Ministry, some 12,000 people participated in this event. However, such rallies have little to do with the expression of true public will: they are meticulously staged, and their participants receive monetary compensation. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya discusses how and why the Russian government mobilizes crowds.

François Hollande. Mission: Possible

Details: Politics

François Hollande. Mission: Possible

Details: 07 March 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

François Hollande’s meeting with Vladimir Putin showed that Paris has firmly put human rights issues on the back burner. Author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek concludes that France’s president values corporate solidarity with the Kremlin leader more than his own nation’s interests or basic human decency.

Beware of Medvedev

Details: Politics

Beware of Medvedev

Details: 06 March 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

Dmitri Medvedev’s political capitulation that started in September 2011 with Vladimir Putin’s announcement of his return to the Kremlin has reached a new stage. With the diminution of the prime minister’s role, the positions of officials and businesses associated with him have started to crumble. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya talks about those who have lost out in the wake of Medvedev’s weakened position.

Putin’s Foreign Policy Framework Outlines a New Course

Details: Politics

Putin’s Foreign Policy Framework Outlines a New Course

Details: 03 March 2013; Donald N. Jensen

The new Russian foreign policy concept signed by Vladimir Putin lists the Kremlin’s traditional grievances against the West and promises to rely on “soft power” in international affairs. According to Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, for all its “soft power,” Russia will be unable to improve its image in the world until it begins to change internally.

Duma Member Dmitri Gudkov: “This is the Agony of the Regime”

Details: Politics

Duma Member Dmitri Gudkov: “This is the Agony of the Regime”

Details: 26 February 2013; Olga Khvostunova

State Duma Member Dmitri Gudkov is a rare opposition voice in the Russian legislature. February 23 marked the official expiration of the ultimatum presented to Gudkov and to his father, Gennady: the leader of A Just Russia party, Sergei Mironov, demanded that they choose between their affiliation with the Coordinating Council of the Opposition and their membership in the party structures. Since the Gudkovs have refused to leave the opposition council, they will both be expelled from A Just Russia’s governing bodies. Dmitri Gudkov spoke with IMR’s Olga Khvostunova about the party's prospects and the political situation in Russia.

Putin’s War on Three Fronts

Details: Politics

Putin’s War on Three Fronts

Details: 25 February 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

Two important tendencies have marked Russian political life during the past few months. The first is the Kremlin’s attempt to control officials’ and lawmakers’ foreign accounts and real estate holdings. The second is the growing activity of independent bloggers and civic activists in investigating unaccounted foreign assets of regime figures. Both the government and the opposition seem to be pursuing the same objective of exposing suspicious property owners. However, as political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya points out, the government’s interests and society’s interests do not overlap.

Putin Tries to Bring the Money Home

Details: Politics

Putin Tries to Bring the Money Home

Details: 25 February 2013; Donald N. Jensen

A “deoffshorization” campaign championed by Vladimir Putin is simultaneously designed to demonstrate a fight against corruption and to protect Kremlin allies who could become vulnerable in the West in the wake of the Magnitsky Act. Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, argues that Putin’s campaign has accelerated internal splits that could prove fatal for his regime.

Mikhail Prokhorov: Between the Kremlin and the Opposition

Details: Politics

Mikhail Prokhorov: Between the Kremlin and the Opposition

Details: 19 February 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

Mikhail Prokhorov, one of Russia’s richest men, is actively developing his recently created party, Civic Platform. Prokhorov has the resources, personnel, influence and contacts that will, at the very least, attract considerable attention to his project. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya ponders whether Prokhorov is a businessman who decided to ride the wave of growing civic activism, a true fighter against the regime, or simply a Kremlin puppet.

Details: Politics

One More Try

Details: 14 February 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

Despite its unfortunate historical experience, Russia is not destined for despotism. According to author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek, the liberal opposition still has a chance of success—provided it maintains its political identity and appeals to the “man from the street.”

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