Tag Archives: putin

NY Dispatches: The future of United Russia

Posted on July 15, 2019 by

Falling popularity, surprising electoral upsets, candidates that run as independent for fear of being too closely associated with the party… Russia’s ruling party, United Russia, is going through some tough months. Or make it years? Yet, despite the growing challenges, … Continue reading →

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NY Dispatches: Russia’s new “war economy”

Posted on July 7, 2019 by

Russia’s economy has enjoyed subdued growth in recent months. However, a damning audit report and the aftermath of a diplomatic spat reveal major structural problems stemming from the president’s reliance on a confrontational foreign policy. 

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The Kremlin in Kazan

Posted on June 30, 2019 by

When it comes to the few regional leaders who wield actual power in Russia, most think of Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov or Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin. The president of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov gets fewer mentions. However, beyond the wealth and … Continue reading →

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NY Dispatches: Putin’s call-in show

Posted on June 21, 2019 by

Vladimir Putin held his annual call-in show yesterday. Don’t worry if you did not have four hours to watch it: it was not worth it. Below are some of the takeaways from a show that has gradually become less interesting … Continue reading →

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NY Dispatches: Ivan Golunov’s case

Posted on June 12, 2019 by

The swift release of investigative journalist Ivan Golunov from custody after unprecedented protests is a triumph of Russia’s increasingly confident civil society and press. The way it happened also tells us a lot about the worst fears of the Russian … Continue reading →

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NY Dispatches: Putin’s trust rating

Posted on June 5, 2019 by

The grotesque revision of the methodology behind the Russian president’s trust rating by the state-owned VTsIOM pollster following a comment by Putin’s spokesman does not only show how malleable statistical data are in Russia. It also tells a lot about … Continue reading →

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NY Dispatches: The protest in Yekaterinburg

Posted on May 16, 2019 by

One of the most remarkable protest actions of the past decade seems to be unfolding in Yekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth largest city this week, where thousands of locals protest the construction of a church on what is now a green area. … Continue reading →

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