Carnegie Moscow Center
Russia is both a resurgent power on the international stage and a key partner for Europe. However, the country still faces a myriad of social and economic challenges.
A number of major domestic challenges, including violence in the Caucasus, anger over this summer’s wildfires, and the need for significant police reform, face the Russian government as the country moves towards the 2012 presidential elections.
Recent developments in Russia's foreign policy reflect the country's struggle to preserve its status as a “great power” through modernization.