The Conviction of Pussy Riot: Part of a Larger Pattern
The conviction of three members of Pussy Riot is only the most visible manifestation of new developments in Russia. Putin wants to use the scrim of Russia’s legal system to show how completely he has eclipsed it.
CSTO Minus One: Collective Security in Central Asia After Uzbekistan’s CSTO Withdrawal
Uzbekistan’s decision to suspend its CSTO membership reflects the changing geostrategic landscape of Central Asia. It should also lead the region to reflect on its current collective security arrangements.
Nothing to See Here: The 2012 EU-Russia Summit
Russia is intent on proving itself relevant on the global stage. In an age when attention is shifting to the East and the South, Russia is positioning itself as a central, non-Western, power.
Europe in Russia’s Academic Discourse: Unlocking the Plurality of Interpretations
The political positioning of Russia as a European country has never been seriously challenged in Russian political discourse, which asserts Russia as a European country in terms of its history, culture and identity. Yet, relations with European countries are marked by a series of crises.
The Russian Orthodox Church and the Putin Regime: Still Bedfellows?
The Church leadership is proving to be a dividing force in Russia that antagonizes a relatively small but active and politically significant minority.
Putin And The Challenge Of The ‘Vanguard Of The Bourgeoisie’
Barring some extraordinary developments between now and 4 March, Putin will win the upcoming presidential elections in Russia. So if winning is not the real challenge facing Putin, what is?
Russia Transformed and Putin’s Challenge
How Putin and Medvedev react to the resurrection of civil society and the white revolution will determine the future pattern of political order in Russia
Putin Returns
Putin will remain in power until 2024, barring assassination or revolution, and will become Russia’s longest ruling leader since Stalin. He is not known for his willingness to compromise or surrender Russia’s imperial gains, suggesting that a new time of troubles is looming on the horizon. This will indicate whether the West still sees Russia as a political part of Europe or has concluded that the country cannot be changed and the days of democratization have become a historical footnote.
Review – Russian Foreign Policy: From Nation State to Global Risk Sharing
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia endured a difficult rebirth into a unipolar world order where it struggled to find a place. Dr. Nicolai Petro traces the journey the nation’s governments have made since this painful transition and looks to the continuing evolution of Russia’s diplomatic identity.
The new Russian military doctrine: more of the same?
The long-awaited publication of the Military Doctrine of the Russian Federation in February 2010 was the result of years of debate within the Russian military and political establishment. It outlines a post facto legitimization of Russia’s role in the August War against Georgia in 2008 and of other initiatives adopted by Moscow in the field of international security in the new century
