The Rundown - Institute of Modern Russia

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Putin’s Dragon, War of Words, and Kissinger’s Vision

Details: Media Must-Reads

Putin’s Dragon, War of Words, and Kissinger’s Vision

30 January–5 February

Details: 05 February 2016

In this week’s media must-reads, Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov comes in the spotlight. He is profiled by Joshua Yaffa in the New Yorker and by Alexander Baunov in Foreign Affairs. And in the American Interest, Lilia Shevtsova continues her series on how the West and Russia see each other, this time focusing on the Putin doctrine.

Stalin’s Revival, License to Kill, and Can Russia Survive Cheap Oil?

Details: Media Must-Reads

Stalin’s Revival, License to Kill, and Can Russia Survive Cheap Oil?

23 – 29 January

Details: 29 January 2016

In this week’s media highlights, Hannah Thoburn analyzes in the Foreign Policy the reasons for Stalin’s resurrected cult of personality. In Foreign Affairs, Edward Lucas argues that despite the findings of the Litvinenko inquiry Russia and the United Kingdom will continue business as usual. And Nicolas Gvosdev in his commentary for the National Interest discusses the effect of low energy prices on the Russian companies.

The Case of Alexander Litvinenko, Putin’s Pointers for U.S. Democracy, and How the West Misjudged Russia

Details: Media Must-Reads

The Case of Alexander Litvinenko, Putin’s Pointers for U.S. Democracy, and How the West Misjudged Russia

16 – 22 January

Details: 22 January 2016

In this week’s media highlights, Luke Harding details in The Guardian the story of a former FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko who was poisoned in 2006 in London. In The American Interest, Lilia Shevtsova takes on the mistakes of the expert community that focuses on Russia both inside the country and in the West. And Maxim Trudolyubov in his commentary for the Wilson Center discusses the drawbacks of the Russian state.

Navalny’s Strange Freedom, Russian Cyberwar Against Ukraine, and Why Putin Loves Trump

Details: Media Must-Reads

Navalny’s Strange Freedom, Russian Cyberwar Against Ukraine, and Why Putin Loves Trump

9 – 15 January

Details: 16 January 2016

In this week’s media highlights, Masha Gessen writes in The New Yorker about Alexey Navalny’s special place in both the opposition movement and the Kremlin’s politics. In The New York Times, Ivan Krastev explains Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy and enthusiasm for Donald Trump.

IMR’s Best Analysis of 2015

Details: Media Must-Reads

IMR’s Best Analysis of 2015

Details: 29 December 2015

As 2015 draws to a close, IMR offers you a great holiday reading—top-10 analytical pieces that were published at our website throughout this year.

Putin’s Presser, Kremlin Caricature, and Gas Wars with Turkey

Details: Media Must-Reads

Putin’s Presser, Kremlin Caricature, and Gas Wars with Turkey

12 – 18 December

Details: 18 December 2015

In this week’s media highlights, Leonid Bershidsky discusses in Bloomberg View Vladimir Putin’s annual press-conference, arguing that his loyalties may be in fact the president’s biggest weakness. Also, in the National Interest, Paul Starobin writes that current U.S. reports and analysis on Russia lacks depth and understanding.

The Possibility of World War III, Putin as a Tsar, and Yeltsin’s Challenge

Details: Media Must-Reads

The Possibility of World War III, Putin as a Tsar, and Yeltsin’s Challenge

5 — 11 December

Details: 11 December 2015

In this week’s media highlights, Edward Lucas discusses in The Daily Beast the possibility of the World War III between Russia and the West, arguing that Putin is a bully, but he is not insane. In Quartz, Nina Khrushcheva focuses on the existential reasons behind the escalation of the Russia-Turkey conflict—a historical conflict between the Byzantines and Ottomans. Also, Masha Gessen writes in The New Yorker about Boris Yeltsin Presidential Center in Yekaterinburg.

Clash of Empires, Putin and the Truck Drivers, and the TV vs. the Fridge

Details: Media Must-Reads

Clash of Empires, Putin and the Truck Drivers, and the TV vs. the Fridge

28 November – 4 December

Details: 05 December 2015

In this week’s media highlights, Akin Unver writes in Foreign Affairs about the long history of the Russia-Turkey conflict that has recently escalated following the downing of the Russian jet by Turkey. The consequences of this conflict have been widely discussed in the expert community. Also, Paul R. Gregory writes in Forbes about the Russian truck drivers’ protest against a new road tax, arguing that this uprising coming from the working class could present a serious threat to the Kremlin.

Putin’s Real Goal in Syria, Hidden Defense Spending, and Islam in Central Russia

Details: Media Must-Reads

Putin’s Real Goal in Syria, Hidden Defense Spending, and Islam in Central Russia

14 – 20 November

Details: 20 November 2015

In this week’s media highlights, Leonid Bershidsky writes in Bloomberg View about Putin’s motives in the Syria conflict, arguing that he wants to prove to the West he was right to support the Assad regime. Also, Leon Aron writes in The Washington Post about the possibility of a “Russian-wide jihad” due to the rise of radical Islam outside the North Caucasus.

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.

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