The Rundown - Institute of Modern Russia

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‘Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine and the Propaganda That Threatens Europe’: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Holds Hearing

Details: Event Briefings

‘Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine and the Propaganda That Threatens Europe’: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Holds Hearing

Details: 09 November 2015

On November 3, a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing to discuss U.S. strategies for countering the threat of Kremlin propaganda. Five panelists gave testimony regarding the usefulness of U.S. media projects, the Kremlin’s disinformation tactics, and the role of the Internet in dispelling propaganda.

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.

U.S. Helsinki Commission Denounces Rule of Law Violations in Russia

Details: Event Briefings

U.S. Helsinki Commission Denounces Rule of Law Violations in Russia

Details: 26 October 2015; Boris Bruk

On October 21, the U.S. Helsinki Commission, which is tasked with promoting human rights, democracy, and economic cooperation around the world, held a hearing to examine flagrant violations of the rule of law in Russia. Four witnesses gave testimony at the hearing, including Open Russia coordinator Vladimir Kara-Murza, about issues including political prisoners and the Kremlin’s confiscation of assets from Yukos Oil.

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.

‘The Economic and Political Future of Ukraine’: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Holds Hearing

Details: Event Briefings

‘The Economic and Political Future of Ukraine’: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Holds Hearing

Details: 22 October 2015; Anastasiya Moroz

On October 8, the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee met with three current and former U.S. officials to discuss the challenges facing Ukraine, the United States’ role in aiding the country, and the West’s response to Russia’s foreign military incursions.

‘Russian Strategy and Military Operations’: Senate Armed Services Committee Holds Hearing

Details: Event Briefings

‘Russian Strategy and Military Operations’: Senate Armed Services Committee Holds Hearing

Details: 21 October 2015; Ezekiel Pfeifer

On October 8, the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, chaired by Senator John McCain (R-AZ), held a hearing to discuss Russia’s intervention in Syria and its aggressive posturing in Eastern Europe. Four experts on Russia and its military capabilities gave testimony, arguing that the United States should react more assertively to Russia’s hawkish behavior.

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.

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