All Articles - Institute of Modern Russia

The NATO Summit Winners and Losers, Russia’s Sexual Violence Problem, and Who Lives in Valdai Next to Putin

Details: Media Must-Reads

The NATO Summit Winners and Losers, Russia’s Sexual Violence Problem, and Who Lives in Valdai Next to Putin

July 9-15

Details: 15 July 2016

In this week’s Western media highlights, James Stavridis recaps in Foreign Policy the recent NATO Summit in Warsaw, naming Putin its top loser. And Damic Marusic discusses in the American Interest a failed attempt to hush up a diplomatic incident involving an alleged American spy earlier in June that led to mutual expulsion of diplomats by Washington and Moscow. Meanwhile, in the Russian media RBC published a new investigation into the ownership of the land surrounding Putin’s presidential residence in Valdai. And Kirill Martynov dissects at Slon.ru the public reaction to the social media campaign hashtagged #IAmNotAfraidToSay.

NATO and Russia: a Sisyphean Cycle of Escalation?

Details: World

NATO and Russia: a Sisyphean Cycle of Escalation?

Details: 13 July 2016; Daniel Frey

Today, on July 13, the NATO-Russia Council will hold its third meeting, albeit at an ambassadorial level, since cooperation under its auspices was suspended in April 2014 in response to the Kremlin’s aggression in Ukraine. Both NATO and Russia continue to have “profound and persistent disagreements,” but in light of intensifying geopolitical tensions in Europe and the Middle East, as well as Russia’s ongoing economic crisis, it’s become clear that a dialogue of some sort is necessary. With international affairs fundamentals changing in real time, a re-examination of the tumultuous relationship between NATO and Russia can help develop a more realistic view of the existing differences, set priorities straight, and pave the way to start bridging the gap.

Putin’s New Détente, The Brain-Drain Myth, and the Problem with Russia’s Ethics

Details: Media Must-Reads

Putin’s New Détente, The Brain-Drain Myth, and the Problem with Russia’s Ethics

July 2–8

Details: 08 July 2016

In this week’s Western media highlights, Vladimir Frolov discusses in the Moscow Times the Kremlin’s recent attempts to decrease tension with the West, which, despite Putin’s arrogant rhetoric, has caused Russia economic woes and diplomatic isolation. And Leonid Bershidsky argues in Bloomberg View that Russia’s brain-drain problem might be exaggerated. Meanwhile, in the Russian media, Andrei Arkhanguelsky dissects what he calls the “moral catastrophe” that occurred in his country following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Sergey Aleksashenko: Russian Economy Still Hasn’t Reached Bottom

Details: Economics

Sergey Aleksashenko: Russian Economy Still Hasn’t Reached Bottom

Details: 06 July 2016; Sergey Aleksashenko

In his latest commentary about recent events in the Russian economy, Sergey Aleksashenko, nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, analyzes Russia's economic results for May, and once again finds no good news.

Turkey’s Sudden Change of Heart with Russia, Nikita Belykh’s Arrest, and Why the Kremlin Should Not Cheer Brexit

Details: Media Must-Reads

Turkey’s Sudden Change of Heart with Russia, Nikita Belykh’s Arrest, and Why the Kremlin Should Not Cheer Brexit

June 25 – July 1

Details: 01 July 2016

In this week’s Russian media highlights, foreign policy expert Vladimir Frolov explains the sudden shift in Turkey’s policy toward Russia and the sudden rapprochement between Erdogan and Putin. And Andrei Pertsev argues that the headline arrest of Nikita Belykh, a liberal governor of the Kirov region, might be politically motivated. Meanwhile, in the Western media, the Atlantic Council’s John Herbst writes that the West should not scrap its sanctions policy against Russia. And Mark Galeotti suggests that the Kremlin should cool its ardor over Brexit, as British secession might have serious repercussions for Russia..

Putin and Brexit, What’s Behind the Kremlin’s War-Mongering, and the Possibility of an “Elite Consensus” in Russia

Details: Media Must-Reads

Putin and Brexit, What’s Behind the Kremlin’s War-Mongering, and the Possibility of an “Elite Consensus” in Russia

June 18–24

Details: 24 June 2016

In this week’s Western media highlights, Mary Dejevsky argues in the Independent that the West’s attempts to blame Brexit on Vladimir Putin actually exaggerate his power. And Mark Galeotti writes for Open Democracy that Russia’s recent military exercises do not necessarily mean it’s preparing for an imminent war. Meanwhile, in the Russian media, analysts discuss the country’s economic reforms and their viability in the current political climate.

IMR Participates in Briefings at Council of Europe and European Parliament

Details: News

IMR Participates in Briefings at Council of Europe and European Parliament

Details: 23 June 2016

The Institute of Modern Russia continues its engagement with leading European policymakers to highlight the challenges facing independent and opposition candidates at September’s Duma elections.

Russia’s Hooligan Soccer Fans, Khodorkovsky’s Plan for Post-Putin Russia, and the Anti-Magnitsky Campaign

Details: Media Must-Reads

Russia’s Hooligan Soccer Fans, Khodorkovsky’s Plan for Post-Putin Russia, and the Anti-Magnitsky Campaign

June 11–17

Details: 17 June 2016

In this week’s Russian media highlights, Sergei Medvedev argues in Forbes.ru that the hooligan behavior of Russian soccer fans in many ways represents “the official policies and the collective consciousness of post-Crimea Russia.” And in an interview with Slon.ru, Mikhail Khodorkovsky discusses his plan to bring Russia back onto the democratic path. Meanwhile, in the Western media, experts discuss the Russian brain drain, the European Union’s sanctions policy, and the Kremlin’s smear campaign aimed at repealing the Magnitsky Act.

Experts Highlight Crucial Role of International Observers at Russia’s Upcoming Parliamentary Elections

Details: News

Experts Highlight Crucial Role of International Observers at Russia’s Upcoming Parliamentary Elections

Details: 15 June 2016

On June 9, at the Atlantic Council headquarters, the Institute of Modern Russia, the Atlantic Council, and Free Russia held a panel discussion on the prospects for Russia’s 2016 parliamentary election. Vladimir Kara-Murza, Pavel Khodorkovsky, John Herbst, Miriam Lanskoy, and Steven Lee Myers discussed the vote, the opposition’s plans, and the international community’s role in ensuring free and fair elections.

America’s Old Habits on Russia, Putin’s Subversion of History, and Russia’s Cognitive Dissonance

Details: Media Must-Reads

America’s Old Habits on Russia, Putin’s Subversion of History, and Russia’s Cognitive Dissonance

June 4–10

Details: 10 June 2016

In this week’s Western media highlights, Thomas Graham criticizes in the National Interest existing attitudes in Washington regarding the U.S.-Russia relationship and suggests policymakers develop a new grand strategy for Russia. In the American Interest, Andrew Foxall dissects the Kremlin’s recent attempts to manipulate history to justify its policies. Meanwhile, in the Russian media, Vladimir Inozemtsev provides his plan for economic reform in Russia, and Alexander Auzan argues that the country’s democratic transition can only be successful if the public and elites reach consensus on the terms of the much-needed change.

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