Politics - Institute of Modern Russia

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Russia’s Far East Goes Underwater

Details: Politics

Russia’s Far East Goes Underwater

Details: 10 September 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

In Russia, nobody is prepared for natural disasters; the population gets no warning; the authorities cannot acknowledge the extent of the catastrophe and assume political responsibility, since that could have a negative impact on their poll standings. This is exactly what is happening in Russia’s Far East, where hundreds of thousands of people are affected by floods. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya discusses the Russian authorities’ reactions to the natural disaster.

The Kremlin’s Point of No Return

Details: Politics

The Kremlin’s Point of No Return

Details: 09 September 2013; Vladimir Kara-Murza

On September 8, regional and local elections were held across Russia. Most of the attention was focused on Moscow, where opposition mayoral candidate Alexei Navalny received nearly 30 percent of the vote. IMR Senior Policy Advisor Vladimir Kara-Murza argues that September 8, 2013, will prove to be a turning point for the current regime—the day when a political alternative emerged in Russia.

An Old Tune: On Russia’s Political Prisoners

Details: Politics

An Old Tune: On Russia’s Political Prisoners

Details: 09 September 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

Russia’s current leaders, just as their Soviet predecessors, deny the existence of political prisoners in the country. Author and former political prisoner Alexander Podrabinek discusses the relationship between an authoritarian regime and its captives.

Putin’s Foreign Asset Ban in Action

Details: Politics

Putin’s Foreign Asset Ban in Action

Details: 03 September 2013; Donald N. Jensen

The recently adopted law prohibiting Russian officials from owning foreign assets has come into force. Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, considers its effectiveness and its political consequences.

Games: Olympic and Political

Details: Politics

Games: Olympic and Political

Details: 27 August 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

The upcoming Sochi Olympics once again raise the question of the appropriateness of holding international sporting events in authoritarian countries. Author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek recalls the history of Olympic boycotts—which have always drawn irritation from sports officials.

The Kremlin and Prokhorov

Details: Politics

The Kremlin and Prokhorov

Details: 21 August 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

The atmosphere surrounding Russia’s regional elections scheduled for September 8 is rather contradictory. On one hand, the Kremlin has made it clear that the nonsystemic opposition will be allowed to participate in the elections—Alexei Navalny was registered as a candidate for Moscow mayor. On the other hand, Mikhail Prokhorov’s Civic Platform Party has been removed from the ballot almost everywhere. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya discusses the reasons why the Kremlin is afraid of this party.

Putin Brings Disappointment Back from Baku

Details: Politics

Putin Brings Disappointment Back from Baku

Details: 21 August 2013; Donald N. Jensen

Vladimir Putin’s visit to Baku was a disappointment to the Kremlin, but, as Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, argues, Moscow will likely continue its efforts to draw Azerbaijan into its sphere of influence.

Not Stupidity, but Malevolence

Details: Politics

Not Stupidity, but Malevolence

Details: 15 August 2013; Alexander Podrabinek

Critics of the current Russian regime often call its actions “stupid” and detrimental to its own image. According to author and analyst Alexander Podrabinek, however, what looks like government “stupidity” is actually a well-thought out strategy.

Why Putin Needs Ukraine

Details: Politics

Why Putin Needs Ukraine

Details: 13 August 2013; Donald N. Jensen

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Ukraine on July 27 to attend a joint commemoration marking the 1,025th anniversary of Russia’s conversion to Christianity. As Donald N. Jensen, Resident Fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, points out, despite the religious nature of the occasion, Putin used the event to push for a more secular and, for the Kremlin, more pressing agenda.

Movement Toward Catastrophe

Details: Politics

Movement Toward Catastrophe

Details: 12 August 2013; Tatiana Stanovaya

The issues of internal migration and relations between Russians and “newcomers” from the Russian southern regions have become major problems in the country. Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya talks about whether the government has a strategy with regard to such issues.

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