Russian President Vladimir Putin - International Studies of Strategic and Geopolitics

The Escalation of Repression: Russia’s Suppression of Dissent in 2023

2Jan

By ISSGNo Comments

Russia and Eurasia

The Escalation of Repression: Russia’s Suppression of Dissent in 2023

By ISSG Staff In 2023, Russia witnessed a notable absence of mass protests and scenes of police brutality, yet behind the façade of normalcy, the Kremlin's suppression of dissent intensified, resembling the repressive systems of the post-Stalin Soviet era. President Vladimir Putin's security forces shifted their tactics from visible street repression to systematic crackdowns within pretrial detention centers, courts, and the prison system. Human rights activist Aleksandr Cherkasov of Memorial, even after being banned in Russia, expressed concern, stating, "It is a return to the repressive system of the post-Stalin period." He suggested that Putin is not merely maintaining stability but is engaged in social engineering, echoing the Soviet logic that involved suppressing one person to cont...

Putin Orders Unprecedented Expansion of Russian Military: Analyzing the Strategic Implications Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict

2Dec

By ISSGNo Comments

Russia and Eurasia, Study Office

Putin Orders Unprecedented Expansion of Russian Military: Analyzing the Strategic Implications Amid Ongoing Ukraine Conflict

By José Carlos Palma * The expansion of the Russian military with an additional 170,000 troops amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine suggests several strategic and geopolitical considerations on the part of Russian President Vladimir Putin: Sustaining Military Operations in Ukraine: The conflict in Ukraine has been ongoing for nearly 22 months, and the decision to increase military personnel indicates that Putin is committed to sustaining and potentially escalating military operations in Ukraine. The additional troops could be deployed to reinforce existing forces, intensify offensives, or maintain control over certain areas. Countering NATO and Regional Dynamics: The official statement from the Russian Defense Ministry cites concerns about NATO's actions, including the buildup o...

Understanding the Limited Opposition to Russia’s Ukraine War: A Sociological Perspective

2Nov

By ISSGNo Comments

Russia and Eurasia, Study Office

Understanding the Limited Opposition to Russia’s Ukraine War: A Sociological Perspective

Photo: Russian soldiers head towards a train station in Volgograd Oblast By José Carlos Palma * Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, and the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, have faced relatively limited opposition from the Russian populace. Despite international concerns and the conflict's longevity, a recent study by Russian sociologist Lev Gudkov, head of the independent Leveda Center, provides insights into the factors contributing to this lack of widespread anti-war sentiment. Stifled Dissent: Strict Censorship and State Propaganda One of the key reasons for the lack of opposition to the Ukraine war in Russia is the presence of strict censorship and pervasive state propaganda. Gudkov notes that the majority of Russians are deprived of independent news sources due to censorshi...

An analyst on Fox News claims that the recent Wagner coup was a “classic false flag” orchestrated by Putin to deceive Biden into believing that Russia poses no threat

24Jun

By ISSGNo Comments

Russia and Eurasia

An analyst on Fox News claims that the recent Wagner coup was a “classic false flag” orchestrated by Putin to deceive Biden into believing that Russia poses no threat

During an interview on Saturday with host Eric Shawn on Fox News, guest Rebekah Koffler asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin, in collaboration with Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, orchestrated the recent armed coup as a "classic false flag" operation. In the past 24 hours, Russia has witnessed upheaval within its military and political establishment as Prigozhin led his paramilitary group from Ukraine into Russia, capturing two cities and advancing toward Moscow. However, in a surprising twist, Prigozhin reportedly called off the armed coup following negotiations with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. This rebellion posed the most significant existential threat to Putin's regime since he assumed power in Russia more than two decades ago. During a lengthy nine-m...

Cold War 2.0 — Kremlin rolls out red carpet for China’s Xi

20Mar

By ISSGNo Comments

Geopolitics and International Security

Cold War 2.0 — Kremlin rolls out red carpet for China’s Xi

Chinese leader offers Putin a lifeline as Ukraine war churns By Guy Taylor - The Washington Times Cold War 2.0 shifted into a new gear Monday as Chinese President Xi Jinping traveled to Moscow in a major show of solidarity with Russian President Vladimir Putin against the United States and other Western democracies. Mr. Xi is seeking to highlight China’s rising diplomatic clout during the three-day state visit, his first overseas trip since formally securing an unprecedented third five-year term as president this month. Analysts say he also aims to give the embattled Mr. Putin a boost just days after an international arrest warrant was issued for the Russian leader on war crimes charges related to his troubled invasion of Ukraine. The Ukraine war and the prospect that Beijing could...