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The 'shock therapy' administered to the Russian economy has brought radical changes to the lifestyle of the Russians. Many complain that the economic reforms instituted by the government have not eased their hardships and instead has made life more difficult for them.

Examines the political climate in Russia under President Vladimir Putin, in light of the arrest of publisher Vladimir Gusinsky. Previous optimism for Russian's journey towards capitalism and democracy and hope for Putin to combine law-and-order with economic reform; Police raid of Media-Most, a Gusinsky company; How Gusinsky had aligned himself politically with Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov's party.

Focuses on the retirement of Russian President Boris Yeltsin, appointing Prime Minister Vladimir Putin his temporary replacement until the next elections. His announcement on New Year's Eve; His mixed and contradictory legacy; Charges of corruption against him; His failing health; Russia's war against Chechnya. INSET: Moscow's Man to Watch, by Yevgenia Albats et al.

On a hot June evening in 1994, a group of wealthy businessmen gathered for dinner in a private club at an elegantly restored 19th-century building in central Moscow. The host [...]

On the eve of orthodox Christmas last week, the man who spent 16 years in the KGB serving the greater glory of communism attended services at the Church of the [...]

Like many members of Boris Yeltsin's inner circle, Anatoly Chubais has had ups and downs--Yeltsin twice fired him from government jobs. A committed reformer, Chubais spearheaded the government's controversial privatization [...]

Gela Grinyova is one of the unfortunate Russians who made the mistake of once having faith in her country's banking system. By the summer of 1998, the 32-year-old graphic artist [...]

Felipe Turover is not the kind of guy a prosecutor usually wants as a star witness. Handsome, slick, the bearer of two passports (Israel and Spain) and rumored to have [...]

Focuses on acting Russian president, Vladimir Putin. His status as a former member of the KGB with hopes that the Kremlin will restore order in Russia; Description of his childhood; How he developed a political career; Expectation that he will be elected to the position in 2000.

Focuses on the postcommunist Russian federation. Boris Yeltsin elected by rich business, the oligarchs of Russia; The role of Prime Minister Sergei Kiriyenko, Anatoly Chubais and Yegor Gaidar, and the head of the central bank, Sergei Dubinin in Russia's transition from communism to capitalism; Russia's financial crisis; The International Monetary Fund deal; How Yeltsin's health influenced the firing of Kiriyenko and his team.

This article focuses on the disputed ownership of the politically influential and respected Russian newspaper, the Kommersant. The possible sale of the newspaper to oligarch and media owner Boris Berezovsky is explored.

An interview with Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov is presented. He offers his insights about the forecasted growth rate for Russia in 2014. He cites several factors contributing to Russia's projected economic growth including high prices for energy resources and traditional exports and low productivity. He describes his economic expectations for Russia in 2014 .

The article presents an interview with former Russian political prisoner Mikhail Khodorkovsky. He discusses topics on his temporary emigration to Germany, his refusal to sign an admission of guilt and the official pardon application that he wrote. Also mentioned are his thoughts on the intentions of Russian President Vladimir Putin for his release, his opinion of social networks, and his engagement in public activity.

An interview with Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former owner of Russian oil company Yukos, about his life in prison is presented. He shares his thoughts about the important things in his life as he spends his 50th birthday in prison on June 26, 2013. Khodorkovsky relates his plans for his birthday in prison. When asked about the most difficult thing he had to get used to in prison, he says it is difficult for him to be without his family.

Discusses the investigation of alleged Russian money laundering through the Bank of New York and other American and European banks. International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan money to Russia that is unaccounted for, as of September 1999; Political ramifications in the United States; Connection of the family of Russian President Boris Yeltsin to the scandal.

Describes the events of summer 1998 that led to Russia's economic collapse. Appointment of Sergei Kiriyenko as Prime Minister with the goal of implementing economic reform; The challenges that he inherited, brought on by the Asian financial crisis; Appeal for help to the International Monetary Fund; A conspiracy to undermine the government; Identification of the so-called oligarchs; The Duma's failure to back necessary reform; Collapse of Russian markets; Results of the crash.

Focuses on Financial Management Co. Ltd. (FIMACO), an offshore company established in November 1990 by a Paris, France-based arm of the Soviet State Bank, predecessor of Russia's Central Bank. Use of the company by Communist Party and government officials; Revelation of FIMACO's existence; Evidence of illegal and profitable speculation in Russian domestic bonds; Details of activities; Political implications and questions.

The article discusses the speculations regarding the reason behind the removal of Anatoliy Serdyukov as Russian defense minister. His removal is said to be reminiscent of the days of former President Boris Yeltsin, who sacked several men from high-profile government posts and replaced them with former police officials. Rumors abound about Serdyukov's removal, including corruption allegations, antagonism of generals, and the revenge of presidential staff chief Sergei Ivanov.

An interview with Bidzina Ivanishvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, Georgian billionaire, and founder of the Georgian Dream party, is presented. When asked if he has sold his assets in Russia, he explains that he has sold his assets and that he has been paid about 90 percent of all his money. Ivanishvili shares that he received between 1.2 billion and 1.3 billion dollars and that he has spent a lot on charity. He admits that he has never met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The article offers insights regarding the new administration of Russia Federation in 2008. Nikita Maslennikov, a former adviser of Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin, claimed that the current government structure is incapable of accomplishing the tasks the country is bound with. The roles of the new public officers, including Chief of Staff Sergei Sobyanin and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Aleksei Kudrin, are discoursed.

Looks at Russia's secret police, the KGB. Mikhail Gorbachev's break-up of the agency in 1991; Actions in October 1993 showing that the KGB was still a problematic power; Boris Yeltsin's new name for it, the Federal Counterintelligence Service; Evidence that most old KGB departments still exist; Who the KGB will turn to in the next political crisis.

An interview with Sergei Guriyev, professor of economics at the Institute of Political Science in Paris, France and member of the Sberbank supervisory board, is presented. Topics discussed include the speech of Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18, 2014 when the Crimea and Sevastopol joined the Russian Federation, the telephone conversations of Putin with his counterparts in Europe and the U.S., and the plan of Putin to establish eastern Ukraine as an independent republic.

The article examines Russian President Valdimir Putin's decree to raise the salaries by up to 150% of law enforcement personnel from the defense minister to the head of the Federal Security Service. According to the article, Putin may be sending message to civilian officials and non-uniformed oligarchs who have the real power in the country. However, having former Committee for State Security (KGB) officials as ministers, Putin may be insuring against personal risks by rewarding his brethren.

Presents an interview with Vladimir Gusinsky, head of Media-Most holding company, upon his release from prison. Gusinsky's feeling on why he was arrested; His treatment in prison, and comments on the prison's conditions; Guinsky's belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin was aware of his arrest.