Institute of Modern Russia

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Event Briefings

After the U.S. Election: Time to Re-Engage Russia?

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08 November 2016

On October 27, 2016, the McCaine Institute hosted a debate on whether the next U.S. president should re-engage with Russia. A group of Russia experts, including David Kramer, Alina Polyakova, Thomas Graham, and Paul Saunders, discussed U.S. policy options. Kurt Volker moderated the debate.

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Media Must-Reads

Poor Economic Policy, Rosneftegaz Affair, and Putin’s Signals to the U.S.

October 29 – November 4

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04 November 2016

IMR is launching a new series—a weekly Russian media roundup for our English-speaking readers. Every Friday we will be sending you a short digest of the five best articles from the Russian media to provide an in-depth look into expert discussions inside Russia. If you want this roundup to be delivered to your mailbox, please let us know by sending a request to info@imrussia.org.

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Media Must-Reads

Cold War 2.0, Realistic Reset with Putin, and Russia’s New Abnormality

October 24-30

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30 October 2016

In this week’s Western media highlights, the Guardian discusses the deteriorating relationship between Russia and the West, which it has labeled “Cold War 2.0.” And Leonid Bershidsky weighs in on the Kremlin’s deny-all tactics, arguing that U.S. Democrats could borrow from Russian officials’ playbook on issues of security. In the Russian media, analysts argue that optimism about the alleged revival of the Russian economy may be premature and that the Kremlin’s constant “saber-rattling” is meant to provoke fear and anxiety in the West.

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Media Must-Reads

The Hawk on Russia Policy, the Threat from Russia, and Vitaly Mutko’s Career End

October 17-23

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23 October 2016

In this week’s Western highlights, David Sanger in The New York Times details the U.S. administration policy on Russia and Hillary Clinton’s “hawkish” stance, which is unusual for a Democratic candidate. And in its editorial, The Economist discusses what the West can do about the Kremlin’s aggression. In the Russian media, experts weighed on the speaking practices of Russian officials, the upcoming crisis that may hit Russia’s economy, and a surprising promotion for Vitaly Mutko, the Russian sports minister named among those responsible for the country’s doping scandal.

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Event Briefings

Syria Talk Suspension: “Terrifying Balance” With No Clear Victors

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20 October 2016

Daniel Frey

On October 11, the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., held a teleconference titled “The United States, Russia, and Syria: What Comes Next After Ceasefire Talk Suspension.” A group of Russia and Middle East experts discussed the situation on the ground, the drivers of Kremlin foreign policy, and what the United States can do about it..

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Media Must-Reads

How the U.S. Can Deal with the Kremlin, Putin’s Cyberwar, and What Constitutes Russian Anti-Americanism

October 10–16

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16 October 2016

In this week’s Western media highlights, in Foreign Policy Nikolas Gvosdev suggests a U.S. strategy that can be helpful in responding to the Kremlin’s aggression. And in his op-ed in the New York Times, Oliver Bullough compares Putin’s actions in Syria with his tactics in Chechnya. In the Russian media, some analysts discuss the latest developments in the political scene, as the country enters a post-Putin stage of development that can be defined as “politization.” Other experts delve into the reasons for Russia’s resurgent anti-Americanism.

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Event Briefings

The Implications of Political Violence in Putin’s Russia

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12 October 2016

Daniel Frey

On October 6, National Endowment for Democracy (NED) held an event featuring the screening of a short film about the 2015 assassination of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, followed by a panel discussion of the implications of political violence for Russia’s future and the Putin regime. Below we’ve listed the key points made by the film and speakers.

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Media Must-Reads

U.S. Suspends Syria Talks with Russia, New Dictators, and Why Russia Needs Government Reform Now

October 3-9

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09 October 2016

In this week’s media highlights, Joshua Keating writes in Slate that with the suspension of the Syria talks with Russia, the Obama administration might give up on any meaningful cooperation with the Kremlin. And Mary Dejevsky in The Guardian argues that the U.S. and Russia could never fix the Syria crisis in concept. Meanwhile, Russian media experts discuss Russia’s pulling out of the plutonium agreement with the U.S., the newlook Duma, and the need for massive government reform.

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Event Briefings

Experts: Russia Is Not a “Brutal” Dictatorship, But Power Transfer Will Be Chaotic

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05 October 2016

Daniel Frey

On September 21, Center on Global Interests (CGI) held a discussion titled “Arrested Development: Rethinking Politics in Putin’s Russia” at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. A group of distinguished panelists, including Maria Lipman, Kirill Rogov, Nikolai Petrov and Andrei Soldatov, shared their views of the current developments in Russian politics, the nature and trajectory of Putin's regime, and the specifics of the public mood in Russia. Daniel Treisman moderated the discussion. Below are the key points made by the speakers.

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Media Must-Reads

Putin’s Outlaw State, MH17 Propaganda, and the Case of Putin’s Millionaire Friend

September 26-October 2

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02 October 2016

This week, in the Western media highlights, The New York Times argues that under Vladimir Putin’s rule Russia is rapidly turning into an outlaw nation. Mark Galeotti in his op-ed for CNN details the Kremlin’s propaganda playbook. Meanwhile, in the Russian media, TV Rain released an investigation into the background of Pyotr Kolbin, a mysterious, Forbes-ranked Russian millionaire, who happens to be a childhood friend of Vladimir Putin. And Kirill Rogov breaks down Russia’s social structure into three groups, providing an insight into the recent Duma elections.