Carnegie Moscow Center
Putin's new strategic plan on the social and economic development of Russia's regions is neither an analysis of their problems nor a proposal for solving them. A widespread discussion is needed to identify and address the complex problems facing the country and its regions.
The tragic death of the Polish president might give Poland and Russia a chance to move beyond their historical animosity, but it will still take hard effort on both sides to break away from the past and at long last come to terms with each other.
Rather than addressing the reasons why their initiatives against terrorism have not been effective, the Russian authorities have focused on trying to calm the public with harsh but empty rhetoric.
Terrorist threats in Russia require a long-term, consistent strategy. But Russia's system of heavy-handed and unaccountable governance precludes strategic thinking.
Ending the threat of violence from the rebel groups in the North Caucasus requires long-term social, economic, and political actions, not a security clampdown which will only fuel further hatred and incite more people to join the rebel cause.
Despite improvements in the March elections, the Kremlin maintains close control over the political process, resulting in elections that were far from truly free and fair.
The Russian authorities succeeded in working with the public to prevent large-scale protests from taking place on the “Day of Anger,” but their newly found willingness to compromise has yet to lead to change at the systemic level.
The individual freedoms and economic freedoms achieved during the perestroika years still exist in modern Russia, but the democracy sought by Gorbachev and his allies has been replaced by a paternalistic state.
The March elections in Russia were more honest and transparent than those held in October, but they were still not open; independent and opposition candidates were once again denied the right to run.
The upcoming Russian regional elections could prove to be a milestone in shaping the nation’s political landscape if voters use the opportunity to voice their concerns over widespread electoral fraud and express their lack of confidence in the Kremlin.