The new politics of Russia - Interpreting change

From the conflict in Syria to the crisis in Ukraine, Russia continues to dominate the headlines. Yet the political realities of contemporary Russia are poorly understood by Western observers and policy-makers. In this highly engaging book, Andrew Monaghan explains why we tend to misunderstand Russia - and the importance of 'getting Russia right'. Exploring in detail the relationship between the West and Russia, he charts the development of relations and investigates the causes of the increasingly obvious sense of strategic dissonance. He also considers the evolution in Russian domestic politics, introducing influential current figures and those who are forming the leadership and opposition of the future. By delving into the depths of difficult questions such as the causes of the Ukraine crisis or the political protests surrounding the 2011-12 elections, the book offers a dynamic model for understanding this most fascinating and elusive of countries.

Introduction: 'We've moved on' 1. Russia: the state of surprise 2. Towards strategic dissonance: Russia as 'a Europe apart' 3. 'Reflexive transitionology' and the 'end of Putin' 4. Beyond Putin? De-cyphering power in Russia Conclusion: Reinterpreting Russia in the twenty first century Index