Putin's Russia [What Think Tanks are thinking]

Briefing 09-10-2015

Russia's assertive foreign policy, annexation of Crimea, conflict with Ukraine and, recently,  military operation in Syria are further challenging the assumptions of the post-Cold War world order. Meanwhile, on the domestic front, President Vladimir Putin's government is seen to be increasingly repressive. The sanctions against Moscow imposed by the United States and the European Union have hit the Russian economy hard, but do not appear to have weakened President Putin's resolve to pursue policies which are highly criticised in the West. The EU, US and other countries are looking for the best options of dealing with Russia while trying to determine what drives President Putin's actions. This note offers links to commentaries, studies and reports by major international think tanks, which discuss Russia's policies and how to respond to them.