Politics
A close look at the inner workings of authoritarian power in Russia and beyond, and the forces that could one day transform it: how the Kremlin holds and wields power, why the democratic opposition endures, and what a genuine political renewal would take
The Kremlin’s games surrounding sea lines of communications have becoming increasingly more dangerous
It’s been seven long months since a group of Ukrainian sailors was illegally captured by the Russian government. The international campaign demanding their immediate release is growing, spreading…
“A New Prince”: non-democratic transfer of power in the post-soviet space
In the first part of this work we intend to examine the cases of non-democratic transfer of power in the post-Soviet space, while in the second part we will discuss in detail the mechanisms of the emerging transition in Kazakhstan and possible scenarios of a similar transition in Russia
Monaco’s Minister of Justice implicated by Kremlin’s oligarch
The case of Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev is a story of impunity both in Russia and in the West. This oligarch, who was connected with the Kremlin and…
The curious case of Suleyman Kerimov in France
The case of the Kremlin-connected oligarch Suleyman Kerimov is a testimony to the power of the Russian state when it is used to the benefit of its allies…
The Invisible Hand: how and when the Kremlin interferes in elections in Europe
Anton Shekhovtsov on how and when the Kremlin interferes in elections in Europe. The elections to the European Parliament were marked by high voter turnout (51%, the highest…
Russian−connected Advisor Maintains Influence Over Czech President
The stance of the Czech people toward Russia is characterized by ambivalent and complicated attitudes rooted in the history of the 20th century. On the one hand, the…
Russia scenarios 2030
This publication is the product of an initial effort undertaken by Free Russia Foundation in 2018 to stimulate public discussion of Russian scenarios, mitigate the likelihood of a…
Russian Youth: A Look Inside the “Black Box”
The 2017 protests across Russia surprised many observers both inside and outside the country—no one quite expected to see so many young people, including high school students, taking to the streets to express dissatisfaction with the current political leadership.
Victory Day in 2055: Four Scenarios
Victory Day - May 9 - is the most politicized date in the post-Soviet calendar. The most widely observed military commemoration in the world today, it is much…
FACTORS OF COMPETITIVENESS IN RUSSIAN GUBERNATORIAL ELECTIONS, 2012-2018
Will the Kremlin’s failures at the regional level continue this year? To answer this question, we carry out a qualitative and quantitative analysis of factors that have contributed to victories by the pro-Kremlin candidates in gubernatorial elections that took place in 2012-2018