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Putin’s “Praetorian Guard”

Details: Politics

Putin’s “Praetorian Guard”

Details: 10 October 2013; Donald N. Jensen

In September, Vladimir Putin appointed Colonel General Viktor Zolotov, who used to head the Russian president’s security service, as deputy commander of the Interior Ministry troops, a large paramilitary force of about 170,000 soldiers. This appointment may be a step toward the creation of a new National Guard. Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, contends that Putin’s actions point to his fear of renewed mass protests in Russia.

Questions for Medvedev

Details: Politics

Questions for Medvedev

Details: 07 October 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

One of the best Soviet movies, The Very Same Munchausen, has a scene in which the baron, while preparing for a flight to the moon on a cannonball, with dramatic music playing in the background, is pressing his beloved Martha: “Say something!” She is frantically searching for words that she thinks the baron would like to hear, but he only keeps crying out in disappointment: “Wrong!” While listening to Dmitri Medvedev’s attempts at saying what people would like to hear, one wants to cry out: “Wrong!” Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya reviews the prime minister’s new article “The Time for Easy Solutions Has Passed.”

The “Shelling of Parliament”: Myths and Reality of October 1993

Details: Politics

The “Shelling of Parliament”: Myths and Reality of October 1993

Details: 02 October 2013; Vladimir Kara-Murza

Twenty years ago, on October 3–4, 1993, the conflict between Russian President Boris Yeltsin and the leaders of the Supreme Soviet spilled into an armed confrontation on the streets of Moscow. Some call these events the “shelling of Parliament;” others maintain that they were about defeating an attempted communist and nationalist coup d’état. IMR Senior Policy Advisor Vladimir Kara-Murza contrasts popular myths about the 1993 crisis with facts and with its actual chronology.

Russia and its Neighbors: the Limits of the Kremlin’s “Privileged Interests”

Details: Politics

Russia and its Neighbors: the Limits of the Kremlin’s “Privileged Interests”

Details: 02 October 2013; Donald N. Jensen

The return of former Soviet republics to the Kremlin’s sphere of geopolitical influence remains one of Vladimir Putin’s principal goals. Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, discusses the prospects of Moscow’s renewed integration drive.

The EU Eastern Partnership, or Friendship “à la Russe”

Details: Politics

The EU Eastern Partnership, or Friendship “à la Russe”

Details: 30 September 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

In November, the summit of the EU Eastern Partnership will be held in Vilnius, the objective of which is to develop cooperation between the EU and six ex-Soviet states. The Kremlin is carefully getting ready for this event, eagerly trying to influence Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. According to political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya, the European integration of former Soviet republics is one of the biggest “nightmares” of the Russian elite, which still considers the post-Soviet space a zone of Russian influence.

The Kremlin’s Financial Truncheon

Details: Politics

The Kremlin’s Financial Truncheon

Details: 23 September 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

Earlier this month, Vladimir Putin replaced the head of the Russian Accounts Chamber, the state’s primary body of financial control, after thirteen years of continuous chairmanship by Sergei Stepashin. His replacement is “Russian budget queen” Tatyana Golikova, the former health and social development minister. Many observers believe that the Accounts Chamber will gain considerable political influence under her guidance. According to political analyst Tatyana Stanovaya, such a scenario is hardly probable.

Kremlin’s Electoral “Reform” Could Backfire

Details: Politics

Kremlin’s Electoral “Reform” Could Backfire

Details: 19 September 2013; Vladimir Kara-Murza

Russia’s electoral system is once again being revamped: under new rules, the number of regional and municipal lawmakers who are elected from party lists will be reduced by half. The goal of the ruling party is to maintain control despite its rapidly falling popularity. IMR Senior Policy Advisor Vladimir Kara-Murza contends that the reform may actually have the opposite effect.

Syria: A View from the Russian Opposition

Details: Politics

Syria: A View from the Russian Opposition

Details: 17 September 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

In the Syrian conflict, the Russian government has firmly sided with the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Russian author and human rights activist Alexander Podrabinek offers a different view.

Putin, Lukashenko and Kerimov: The Russian-Belarusian Triangle

Details: Politics

Putin, Lukashenko and Kerimov: The Russian-Belarusian Triangle

Details: 16 September 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

An unprecedented situation is marring relations between Russia and Belarus. In late August, Vladislav Baumgertner, head of the Russian potash company Uralkali, was arrested in Minsk. On September 13, it became known that the company’s main shareholder, Suleyman Kerimov, sold his shares to Vladimir Kogan, a friend of Vladimir Putin. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya discusses why Kerimov, one of Russia’s leading businessmen, was left out in the cold.

Putin, Syria and the G-20

Details: Politics

Putin, Syria and the G-20

Details: 11 September 2013; Donald N. Jensen

The G-20 summit in St. Petersburg was dominated by the Syrian crisis, which officially was not even on the agenda. Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, contends that Vladimir Putin faces a choice—continue to be a spoiler in world affairs or try to play a constructive role.

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