What's Really Happening in Russia?

The article presents responses to a series of questions by journalist Stephen F. Cohen, who recently returned from Russia. Regarding the query related to new myths about Russia, he said that myths might not be entirely false. Usually, they inflate a partial truth into an overwhelming one that obscures other truths. He gave the example of the current notion that a civil society eager for a democratic market system, has emerged as the driving force in Russian political life, even defeating the coup last August. Regarding next query related to his lack of interest in the Commonwealth of Independence States, which was created in December by abolishing the Soviet Union, he said that it's a paper idea unlikely to withstand all the factors he has already mentioned, from the struggle over property to the enduring union grids. In fact, republic leaders who joined the commonwealth had conflicting reasons for doing so.