Media Must-Reads - Institute of Modern Russia

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Putin’s Sinai Dilemma, the WADA Doping Scandal, and Russia’s Drug-Like Propaganda

Details: Media Must-Reads

Putin’s Sinai Dilemma, the WADA Doping Scandal, and Russia’s Drug-Like Propaganda

7 – 13 November

Details: 13 November 2015

This week, Yury Barmin writes for Carnegie Moscow Center that the Egypt plane crash has put the Kremlin in an awkward position, leaving it unsure how to act. Also, Anna Borshchevskaya in Forbes examines the narcotic effect of Russian propaganda, and posits that a new fix may be needed once the effect of the Syria war wears off.

Warriors vs. Merchants, Putin Trolls Facebook, and the Kremlin’s Forever Wars

Details: Media Must-Reads

Warriors vs. Merchants, Putin Trolls Facebook, and the Kremlin’s Forever Wars

31 October - 6 November 2015

Details: 06 November 2015

This week, Tatyana Stanovaya writes for Carnegie Moscow Center about Putin’s three kinds of foreign policy advisors: warriors, merchants, and pious believers. Also, Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan write in Foreign Affairs about the Kremlin’s success in pressuring online companies to grant access to user data.

Russian Casualties in Syria, Carter’s Five-Nation Plan, and Avoiding a New Cold War

Details: Media Must-Reads

Russian Casualties in Syria, Carter’s Five-Nation Plan, and Avoiding a New Cold War

24–30 October 2015

Details: 30 October 2015

In this week’s media highlights, Leonid Bershidsky of Bloomberg View writes about the Kremlin’s nervousness over reports of Russian casualties in Syria. Also, Steven Pifer of the Brookings Institution writes about what compromises the U.S. should make in negotiating a settlement of the Ukraine conflict with Russia.

Putin’s Foreign Legion, Pensioners’ Plight, and the Eurasianist Folly

Details: Media Must-Reads

Putin’s Foreign Legion, Pensioners’ Plight, and the Eurasianist Folly

17–23 October 2015

Details: 23 October 2015

In this week’s media highlights, Paul R. Gregory writes in Politco about the Kremlin’s novel tactic of relying on mercenaries in its incursions into Ukraine and Syria. Also, Vladimir Lukin writes in The National Interest about the balance of Europeanism and Eurasianism in the policies of Russian rulers, and argues that Eurasianism has always spelled doom for the country.

Russia’s Military Revival, Tensions With Turkey, and Putin’s Fake Good News

Details: Media Must-Reads

Russia’s Military Revival, Tensions With Turkey, and Putin’s Fake Good News

10–16 October 2015

Details: 16 October 2015

This week, Steven Lee Meyers and Eric Schmitt of The New York Times report that U.S. military experts are impressed by the capabilities displayed by Russian forces in Syria. Also, Leonid Bershidsky of Bloomberg View exposes the lie behind Putin’s assessment of the Russian economy.

Cold War Mistakes, Putin’s Next Conquest, and Nostalgia for the 90s

Details: Media Must-Reads

Cold War Mistakes, Putin’s Next Conquest, and Nostalgia for the 90s

3 – 9 October 2015

Details: 09 October 2015

This week, David W. Lesch writes in Foreign Policy that Russia risks repeating mistakes made by the Soviet Union when it meddled in Syria in the 1950s. Also, Peter Pomerantsev writes in Politico about a digital flashmob in which liberal Russians waxed nostalgic about the transformative 1990s.

Putin’s Fake Realism, Forgotten Ukraine, and Russia’s Mistake in Syria

Details: Media Must-Reads

Putin’s Fake Realism, Forgotten Ukraine, and Russia’s Mistake in Syria

26 September – 2 October 2015

Details: 02 October 2015

In Foreign Policy, Christian Caryl writes that Putin’s policy decisions are governed less by realism and more by his determination to retain power. Also, in Bloomberg View, Marc Champion writes that Ukrainian reformers have kept up their work even as the spotlight has shifted to Syria.

Putin’s Plan in Syria, the Kashin Case, and Kadyrov’s Murderous Regime

Details: Media Must-Reads

Putin’s Plan in Syria, the Kashin Case, and Kadyrov’s Murderous Regime

19–25 September 2015

Details: 25 September 2015

In this week’s media highlights, Mitchell Orenstein writes in Foreign Affairs that the U.S. must be on guard when negotiating with Russia on Syria and Ukraine. Also, Andrew Roth of The Washington Post interviews Russian journalist Oleg Kashin five years after the brutal attack that nearly killed him.

Moscow’s Stance on Syria, Regional Elections, and U.S.-Soviet Friendship

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Moscow’s Stance on Syria, Regional Elections, and U.S.-Soviet Friendship

12–18 September 2015

Details: 18 September 2015

Nikolay Kozhanov writes for Chatham House this week about Putin’s motives in boosting the Russian military presence to Syria. Also, Maxim Trudolyubov in The New York Times analyzes the Kremlin’s strategy of keeping tight control over regional elections.

Crimea Costs, Ukraine Police Reform, and Russian Troops in Syria

Details: Media Must-Reads

Crimea Costs, Ukraine Police Reform, and Russian Troops in Syria

5–11 September 2015

Details: 11 September 2015

Ilan Berman writes in Foreign Affairs about the array of expensive problems Russia must fix in Crimea, including stubbornly entrenched corruption and outdated infrastructure. Also, Reid Standish in Foreign Policy examines the social media presence of Russian servicemen who are apparently aiding Bashar Assad’s forces in Syria.

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