Carnegie Moscow Center
The efforts of Russian authorities to improve the state of interethnic relations and security in the country have not succeeded in defining the issues or analyzing the reasons behind the worsening situation.
Elements of the Soviet political order remain deeply embedded in modern Russian politics, regardless of whether Lenin’s body remains in its mausoleum in Red Square.
Lasting security in Russia can only be established when the problems of the North Caucasus are resolved. Society itself must initiate serious discussion on the North Caucasus and the ethnic tensions plaguing Russia, formulate proposals, and present demands to the authorities.
While Boris Yeltsin did a lot to build a state under difficult circumstances, he built it to suit his own interests and ultimately squandered his nation’s trust by not delivering on the hopes he represented.
As Russians look toward the 2011 Duma elections in December, whether or not Prime Minister Vladimir Putin heads United Russia’s list could have a significant influence on whether the party sees an increase in national support or a major drop.
The recent unrest in Moscow, responding to the lack of investigation into the murder of football fan Yegor Sviridov, demonstrates the serious problems that exist in the relationship between the Russian public and the authorities.
For Russia to truly break free of Stalin’s legacy, it must not only recognize Stalin’s crimes but also end the historical and political immunity of state security and reinvent Russian national identity.
By seeking to reduce the number of time zones in Russia, the Kremlin is implementing a superficial and problematic change instead of tackling the serious reforms that the country needs.
Prominent blogger Alexey Navalny’s new site, RosPil.net, is helping to expose corruption in Russia. Economists estimate that stopping theft within the state procurement system could double Russia’s yearly economic growth rate.
President Dmitry Medvedev’s annual state-of-the-nation address lacked any analysis of the real challenges facing the country and was not the address of the leader of a country but rather a report by a deputy prime minister responsible for the government’s priority national projects.