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Putin’s Olympic Fever

Details: Politics

Putin’s Olympic Fever

Details: 14 January 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

The city of Sochi has been placed under a de facto state of emergency for the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek emphasizes the unlawful nature of the restrictions imposed by Vladimir Putin, and expresses disappointment over the lack of reaction from Western democracies.

Ivan Rybkin: “The Lack of Parliamentarianism in Russia Will Lead to a Repeat of 1991”

Details: Politics

Ivan Rybkin: “The Lack of Parliamentarianism in Russia Will Lead to a Repeat of 1991”

Details: 13 January 2014; Olga Khvostunova

On January 11, 1994, the State Duma of the Russian Federation—the first Russian parliament since 1917 to be elected in a multiparty vote—opened its session in Moscow. On January 14, Ivan Rybkin, who was nominated by leftwing opposition parties, was elected Duma speaker. As the Russian Duma marks its 20th anniversary, IMR Advisor Olga Khvostunova spoke to the former speaker about the experience of the first Duma and the state of the Russian parliament today.

When Russian Parliament Was a Place for Discussion: on the 20th Anniversary of the First State Duma

Details: Politics

When Russian Parliament Was a Place for Discussion: on the 20th Anniversary of the First State Duma

Details: 12 January 2014; Vladimir Kara-Murza

On January 11, 1994, the State Duma of the Russian Federation—the first Russian parliament since 1917 to be elected in a multiparty vote—opened its session in Moscow. As the first Duma marks its 20th anniversary, IMR Senior Advisor Vladimir Kara-Murza recalls its experience—the experience of a parliament that, unlike today’s parody on the Duma, was truly a “place for discussion.”

Restrained Priorities

Details: Politics

Restrained Priorities

Details: 23 December 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

Contrary to the forecasts, the general tone of Vladimir Putin’s 2013 annual address to the Federal Assembly was rather restrained. According to political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya, the Kremlin has paused its program of repressions in the run-up to the Sochi Olympics.

The Revival of Serfdom in Russia

Details: Politics

The Revival of Serfdom in Russia

Details: 20 December 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

In December, the Russian State Duma adopted a law reviving the Soviet rule of propiska—official residential registration. A key feature of the new law will be administrative and criminal liability for violating registration rules. According to author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek, this is another step toward transforming Russia into a country with a repressive system of ideological control.

Will the Prodigal Son Be Forgiven?

Details: Politics

Will the Prodigal Son Be Forgiven?

Details: 18 December 2013; Donald N. Jensen

Presidential amnesty project passed by the Russian State Duma on December 18th will likely pardon former defense minister Anatoly Serdyukov who has been recently charged with negligence. As Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations notes, recent developments are a part a political maneuver by Putin to find an acceptable way out of the much criticized Oboronservis affair.

Ukraine Goes to the West

Details: Politics

Ukraine Goes to the West

Details: 12 December 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

Mass protests in Ukraine, provoked by President Viktor Yanukovich’s rejection of the EU association agreement deal, are about to enter their third week. As some policy experts speculate on potential developments in the standoff situation, writer and publicist Alexander Podrabinek discusses what the Ukraine protests mean for Russia.

The Fatal Error of Viktor Yanukovych

Details: Politics

The Fatal Error of Viktor Yanukovych

Details: 05 December 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

Following Viktor Yanukovych’s refusal to sign an association agreement with the EU, thousands of protest actions (comprising between 200,000 and one million participants, according to differing data) broke out in Ukraine, resembling the Orange Revolution of 2004. Political scientist Tatyana Stanovaya discusses whether the current events in Kiev will lead to a change of government.

Romes Old and New

Details: Politics

Romes Old and New

Details: 05 December 2013; Donald N. Jensen

On November 25, Pope Francis held a thirty-five-minute private meeting in Rome with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, the Kremlin’s and the Orthodox Church’s attempts to improve relationship with Vatican are a part of Russia’s strategy to demonstrate that Moscow can provide an alternative to Washington.

Russia: Ten Years Without a Parliament

Details: Politics

Russia: Ten Years Without a Parliament

Details: 05 December 2013; Vladimir Kara-Murza

On December 7, 2003, Russia held parliamentary elections that were, for the first time in the country’s post-Soviet history, assessed as not conforming to democratic standards. The liberal opposition was thrown out of Parliament, and the Duma, in the words of its own speaker, became “not a place for discussion.” IMR Senior Policy Advisor Vladimir Kara-Murza, a candidate in the 2003 elections, notes the catastrophic fall in standing of Russia’s legislative branch of government over the past decade.

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