Gowing Against the Grain

Here are a couple of recent articles that challenge commonly voiced opinions on Russia's growing strength.

The first article, published on 01/22/08 at Friedman Writes Back, argues against viewing Russia as a consolidating supplier of Europe's energy needs. In fact, the author believes this view is an illusion or even a European calculation. Accordingly, Russia will eventually realize it's failure and may be pushed into a corner, forced to take hardline action.

The second article, published in the January/February issue of Foreign Affairs, argues against the notion that Putin's authoritarian politics and economic reforms are responsible for creating stability and prosperity in Russia. The author believes in the opposite - that whatever benefits have befallen Russia in recent years, they have nothing to do with Putin's policies and would in fact have been greater in a more democratic system.