Putin And The Rise Of Russia

Bol Partner

Not for the first time in the last two centuries, Russia leaves the world wondering about its destinies. Russia is, notwithstanding the losses incurred when the Soviet Empire imploded, still an enormous country of ten time-zones from Kaliningrad Oblast to Sakhalin, a land of vast empty spaces full of promise, with more than 140 million population - 15 million of them Muslim - looking at the crescent rising rather than the cross and the stars, suspecting that St George might not be their friend and protector. It is a power with vast military inventories, among them more than 10,000 nuclear weapons in various configurations, an energy giant whose oil reserves will last, at present rates of exploitation, for more than 30 years, and with natural gas for more than 180 years. There is also the old Russian cultural and geo-political ambiguity between Europe and Asia and the new oscillation between weak elements of democracy and, invariably, strong elements of autocracy. The question remains about what today constitutes Russia's national interest, and who is the man, or the power elite, to define and implement it.With Vladimir Putin's second term as President about to end, many Russians fear, after eight years of rising oil and gas revenues, instability and insecurity. But the outside world, too, keeps wondering who and what will follow Putin. Possibly, after Putin a while, Putin himself? It is a defining moment. The pilot leaves the ship: where will he go? Whither the ship? And what are the implications for the rest of the world?

Bol

'An excellent and important work' Literary Review 'Anyone concerned about how the bear will respond will find this historically informative account an accessible and stimulating guide' Sunday Express 'Putin and the Rise of Russia is a privileged insider's account of the Russian enigma at first hand. It's the best kind of political journalism' Observer When the Soviet Union collapsed, the world was left wondering about its destiny. Russia is still an enormous power with a population exceeding 140 million, immense military resources and giant energy reserves - in short, a vast land full of promise and opportunity. Russia has the potential to be a force of stability or a force of turmoil, but when it comes to global affairs, can she be persuaded to join the world order? Professor Stuermer's authoritative and timely account considers a Russia going through a defining phase after the departure of Vladimir Putin. History is on the move: we face an open and challenging future in which Russia, for better or for worse, will play a key role.