Category Archives: power vertical

The Matrix Strikes Back – the Sanctions and Russia’s Post-US Economic Model

Posted on May 1, 2014 by

Everyone agreed that the first round of Russia sanctions were laughably ineffective, aimed at a motley assortment of Kremlin B-teamers, whom Putin demoted to limit the damage they can cause and about whom Putin couldn’t care less. The second round … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Business and Economy, Chemezov, clans, corruption, Dmitry Medvedev, Economic development, economics, Foreign direct investment, foreign investment, foreign policy, goskorporatsii, Government of Russia, Medvedev, offshore, power vertical, Putin, Putin's Plan, Rotenberg, rule of law, russia, Russian economy, siloviki, state corporations, strategic industries, Timchenko, u.s.-russia relations, Vladimir Putin | 4 Comments

2012 Presidential Campaign Launches in Russian Style – Part II

Posted on April 11, 2011 by

[TRM’s second installment on recent events in Russia] Medvedev made quite a few headlines two weeks ago with a series of moves that signaled a renewed push to ‘improve the investment climate’ in Russia.  This is, of course, not a … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, clans, compliance, corruption, Foreign direct investment, foreign investment, goskorporatsii, Government of Russia, Kremlinology, ldpr, Medvedev, oligarchs, PM Putin, power vertical, President Medvedev, Putin, Putin's Plan, rule of law, russia, Russian economy, siloviki, state corporations, strategic industries, tandemocracy, Vedomosti, Vladimir Putin | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

2012 Presidential Campaign Launches in Russian Style – Part I

Posted on April 1, 2011 by

A number of recent events in Russia show that the 2012 Russian presidential election campaign is in full swing.  In keeping with true Russian style, this campaign is aimed not at a mass Russian audience, but rather the political/economic elites involved … Continue reading →

Posted in Bastrykin, Chaika, clans, criminal law, Dmitry Medvedev, elections, konovalov, Kremlinology, Medvedev, PM Putin, politicians, power vertical, President Medvedev, prosecutor general, siloviki, vinnichenko, Vladimir Putin, Zubkov | 2 Comments

Medvedev Fires Luzhkov, Turns Corner in His Presidency

Posted on September 28, 2010 by

People will look back on this day as a major turning point in Medvedev’s presidency.  As I wrote back in May, “Simply put, guys like [Luzhkov] need to go, or Medvedev will run the risk of looking weak and naive.”  … Continue reading →

Posted in luzhkov, PM Putin, power vertical, President Medvedev, tandemocracy, war on corruption | 5 Comments

Kudymkar Deputies Challenge United Russia in Court

Posted on August 22, 2010 by

Though everyone is focused on the protests at Pushkin Square, there has been an even more interesting development out of Kudymkar, Perm (pop. 30,000).  The United Russia majority bloc of deputies had planned electoral reforms, which would have ended the … Continue reading →

Posted in democracy, parties, political parties, politicians, power vertical, regions, Right Cause, United Russia

War on Corruption – the Great Purge at MVD

Posted on February 19, 2010 by

The Russian commentariat is all abuzz today following Pres. Medvedev’s initiation of major reforms at the Interior Ministry (MVD) yesterday.  Medvedev not only halved the number of personnel at the Ministry’s head office (to 10,000), but also fired 16 officials.  … Continue reading →

Posted in power vertical, President Medvedev, war on corruption

Russia News Roundup

Posted on December 6, 2009 by

Once again my apologies for the light posting, which my work schedule has dictated. Medvedev Power – last week Pres. Medvedev named a fifth Deputy Head of the Investigative Committee. Receiving the appointment was Elena Leonenko, yet another Medvedev classmate … Continue reading →

Posted in arms control, power vertical, START, strategic industries, war on corruption