This book provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of Putin’s third term as Russia’s president. It covers political, international relations, economic and social issues, and provides a balanced assessment of Putin’s successes and failures. These include the conflict in Ukraine, the annexation of Crimea, scandals associated with the Olympics, Russia’s increasing involvement with Asia, including with the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, and shifts in the economy away from huge reliance on energy resources. The book sets Putin’s activities as president in their wider context, discussing his overall popularity, the weakness of potential opposition and the development of the Russian Federation as a relatively new state.
Introduction
Chapter 1 The Presidency
Chapter 2 The Russian Federation. Strengths and Strains
Chapter 3 The Political Cockpit
Chapter 4 The Ukraine Conundrum
Chapter 5 Economic Considerations
Chapter 6 Themes in Foreign Policy
Chapter 7 Military Issues
Chapter 8 Quality of Life
Lull before the storm? Concluding remarks.
Biography
J L Black is Professor Emeritus and Distinguished Research Professor of Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada and an Adjunct Professor in the History Department at Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
