Kennan Institute

Debrief | Russia's 2020 Constitutional Amendments

In January 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted draft amendments to the Russian State Duma. Among several proposed reforms, one amendment could allow Putin to stay in power for two additional terms, until 2036. Russian citizens will vote on the amendment in a nationwide plebiscite on July 1. Below, we are proud to highlight analysis, video projects, and events by our experts on the referendum.

COVID-19: News and Analysis on Russia and Eurasia

As COVID-19 continues to spread across the globe, the Kennan Institute will continue to provide analysis from the region and virtual events about its impact in Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia.

Russian Bounties in Afghanistan: An Expert Analysis

Kennan Cable No. 53: Russia’s “Traditional Values” and Domestic Violence

Kennan Cable No. 52: In Russia’s Shadow: China’s Rising Security Presence in Central Asia

Kennan Cable No. 51: A Rising Global Player: Kazakhstan’s Foreign Policy in the 2020s

Kennan Cable No. 50: Arms Control in the COVID-19 Era: No Next Step without New START

American Visitors to Baku at the Dawn of the Cold War, August-September 1945

Numerous American public organizations and Congressional delegations came to Baku immediately after World War II, a sign that the U.S. was initially intent on cooperating with the USSR in the post-war period, writes Jamil Hasanli.

The Russia File Podcast

The Kennan Institute is pleased to announce "The Russia File Podcast," a companion production of its Russia File blog. The podcast explores Russia: its history, politics, culture and society, and its relations with the surrounding countries, the United States and beyond, hosted by Maxim Trudolyubov and Izabella Tabarovsky.

The Putin Constitution

“Blacks, Reds, and Russians:” An Interview with Joy Carew

To continue with our Black History Month effort, we recently interviewed Professor Joy Carew of the University of Louisville about her research on the history and experiences of black people in the USSR and Russia.

"We Must Not Be Silent:" A Conversation with Starovoitova Fellow Olimpiada Usanova about Gender Discrimination in Russia and the United States

Olimpiada Usanova is a Galina Starovoitova Fellow at the Kennan Institute. We recently spoke to her about her research on gender discrimination in Russia.

Kennan Cable No. 48: Trade or Blockade? Economic Relations with Uncontrolled Territories in Moldova and Ukraine

The Kennan Institute Honors Black History Month 2020

In honor of Black History Month 2020, throughout the month of February the Kennan Institute will be sharing research, interviews, and blog posts that amplify the voices and experiences of African Americans, Africans, and black people more broadly within the context of both Soviet history and contemporary US-Russia relations. We will highlight black voices and research in the Soviet and Post-Soviet space throughout this month and beyond. Promoting these usually under-recognized experiences is essential to our mission of improving American understanding of Russia, Ukraine, and the wider Eurasia region.

Kennan Cable No. 47: Moscow’s Limited Prospects in Sub-Saharan Africa

Ukraine’s Democratic Leakocracy

Ukrainian politics have been overtaken by information wars. These wars undermine two things vital to liberal democracy: citizens’ control of government and the transparency of authorities’ actions.