Letter From the Editors
Putin Seeks to Burnish Russia’s Image in Foreign Media, but Will His Messaging on Ukrainian, Syrian Crises Alter International Community’s Perception of Russia?
FEATURED NEWS STORIES
New Year, New Hopes for Donetsk Basin Talks
Does Putin’s German Interview Mark Turn to West?
THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Politics
Kadyrov Gropes Russia
Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov Calls Members of Nonestablishment Opposition ‘Enemies, Traitors’
Kadyrov’s Remarks Seen as a Threat
Latynina: Kadyrov’s Practice of Persecuting Dissenters Could Be Adopted Nationally
State and Law
We’ll Keep Up the Pressure
Prosecutor General Chaika Discusses Measures to Fight Corruption, Changing Dynamics of Crime
Case Closed
Embezzlement, Money Laundering Charges Dropped Against Billionaire Vladimir Yevtushenkov
Indefinite Presence
Nikolsky: Russia Stands to Gain From Agreement on Deploying Aviation Group in Syria
The Economy
A Country That Did Not Materialize
Russian Cabinet Members Discuss Economic Prospects at Gaidar Forum
Miscellany
Smoke of the Fatherland: 2016
College in Komi Republic Burns Books Published With Support of Soros Foundation
OTHER POST-SOVIET STATES
Belarus
Belarussians Say Farewell to Socialism
Government Moves to Liberalize Prices on Essential Food Items
Ukraine
Kiev Imposes Retalitory Embargo on Russian Goods
Kiev Introduces Embargo on Russian Goods After Moscow Abolishes Free Trade Area With Ukraine
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
World Politics
Window of Opportunity
Gontmakher: World Must Not Miss Opportunity to Normalize Relations Between Russia, West
Too Early to Celebrate
Karaganov: 2015 Was a Good Year for Russia’s Foreign Policy, but It Is Too Early to Celebrate
Oleg Storchevoi Disagrees With Dutch Safety Board’s Conclusion
Rossaviatsia Disagrees With Finding of Dutch Safety Board Regarding Downing of MH17 in Ukraine
North Korea
Hydrogen Bomb for ‘Nuclear Kim’
Purported North Korean Nuclear Test Indicates Enduring Allure of H-Bomb
Middle East
Bogged Down in the Middle East, Russia Loses Honest Broker Image
Frolov: By Siding With Shias in Syria Conflict, Russia Losing Its ‘Honest Broker’ Image in Middle East
Poland
Is Kaczynski the Next Putin?
Preobrazhensky: New Polish Leadership Consolidating Power Through Reforms That Worry EU