The Russian World

Economist Vladislav Inozemtsev envisions three scenarios that will likely shape the world we are heading towards, a world in which it is hard to place Russia, which continues to act as a "rogue element”, much as it has so done throughout much of its distant and recent past.

At the recent Valdai Forum, Putin complained and issued threats. A now predictable spectacle, featuring disagreement over an energy truce, the promise to finally conquer the Donbas, and the intimidating tactic that no one possesses weapons like Russia’s,

Increasingly, the focus of new possibilities opened up by melting ice, polar routes have become a place of geopolitical confrontation. Although Russian officials continue to project an image of equal cooperation with China, Russia actually finds itself in a vulnerable position.

These days, it is hard to find a single person who has not had a row with their parents, siblings or closest friends over differences of opinion regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war. Ideologies encapsulate traumas within narratives, creating an emotional aura in which political opinions, values and interests align with the characteristics of one’s own psychological makeup.

As Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia undergo restructuring, the balance of power shifts, spanning everything from politics to infrastructure. Moscow maintains complex, multifaceted relationships with Baku, Yerevan, and Tbilisi, with the ultimate outcome proving “crucial” for the region. The International North-South Transport Corridor is strategic for supply chains.

Whilst Russia is electing the Duma – knowing full well that only Putin is allowed to win, and with the opposition torn between a boycott and a ‘tactical vote’ – journalist Aleksandr Podrabinek is attempting to shake things up by calling for a computerised system that would allow everyone to trace their vote.

With the "discovery" of his relics, the 14th-century military leader, who defeated the Tatars on the banks of the Don, has become a new example of how Moscow transforms a real historical figure into a symbolic asset for ideological ends, using him to justify the prolonged aggression against Ukraine.

Just as in the ‘glorious’ days of Covid, a document on exit visas has suddenly appeared in Russia in recent days – likely inspired by the FSB – imposing new rules on travel to ‘hostile countries’. Travellers will only be permitted to go in tourist groups of at least 10 people, accompanied by an approved itinerary

What will happen to Kyiv’s economy when the war ceases to be the main obstacle, whilst its consequences – labour shortages, destroyed infrastructure, the need for capital and security risks – remain?

The taiga is burning beyond the Urals, the rivers in Tyumen and the Moscow region are full of dead fish, and there are oil spills in the Russian part of the Black Sea. Meanwhile, a large-scale investigation has identified 1,497 people accused of treason and espionage in Russia for actions linked to environmental protection.

The closer we get to Russia’s parliamentary election on 20 September, the more thoroughly the authorities flaunt their authoritarianism. And the most paradoxical aspect of this story is that both the government and the opposition, including the liberals of the Yabloko party, are actively taking part in the game.

With permafrost thaw reaching 70 cm in 2023, up to 80 per cent of buildings in the Arctic began to deform. The agricultural sector could benefit though, turning polar regions into a new breadbasket. Beyond the slogans, unresolved issues remain: flooding, soil degradation, and unpredictable changes.