November 22:
The Kremlin’s disagreements with the West have now extended to include Syria. The Hindu reports that, shortly after accusing the United States and its allies of “political provocation” in Syria by rejecting dialogue and “welcoming” rebel attacks on government offices," Moscow sent several warships to the Syrian port of Tartus, where Russia maintains a naval base. The ships are believed to be in Syrian waters “to prevent any military interference,” which some experts expect to include vessels carrying weapons for rebel forces. Russian officials, however, refuse to comment on the move.
November 23:
The Kremlin has escalated its threats in the ongoing stand-off over U.S. plans for a European missile shield. In an outline of possible “appropriate measures,” reports RIA-Novosti, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev listed the deployment of “advanced offensive weapon systems” to his country’s European borders. Accusing the U.S. and NATO of failing to take Russian concerns about the shield “into account,” Medvedev additionally listed as possibilities the placement of an early-warning radar system in Kaliningrad and increased protection around the country’s nuclear deterrent assets. He also suggested that continued discord could prompt Russia to halt its disarmament and arms control efforts. Although the Russian leader reiterated the Kremlin’s proposal to create a joint missile defense system, he cautioned that Russia “would not participate in a project that went against its interests.”
November 24:
The New York Times reports that the proliferation of smart phones and other digital recorders has seen a corresponding rise in complaints against Russia’s dominant political party, United Russia. Technology now allows citizens to capture digital proof of election violations, such as a recent speech in which a small-town mayor threatened to cut off funding to elderly citizens if they failed to vote for United Russia in the approaching parliamentary elections. Such events have only accelerated the party’s recent slide in the polls. Online, United Russia is commonly referred to as “the party of swindlers and thieves,” and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was booed at a recent martial arts match—an unprecedented event in his political career. United Russia has retaliated by launching its own website for complaints about Russia’s other political parties.
November 26:
The $14 billion rescue plan offered by the Kremlin to Belarus marks a substantial shift in Russia’s relationship with the former Soviet republic. Under the new plan, reports the Wall Street Journal, Russia gains complete control over state natural gas concern Beltransgaz and its gas pipeline network. Moscow will likely maintain leverage over Belarus in the future by additionally retaining the right to raise gas prices. Belarus previously rejected Russian control by flirting with the West, but President Alexandr Lukashenko’s crackdown on dissidents last year drew condemnation from the U.S. and EU, and had the effect of isolating Minsk. Talks with the IMF over bailout funds fizzled soon after, leaving Belarus with only Russia to whom to turn.
Russian officials, for their part, are already celebrating their political victory. Prime Minister Putin has hailed the agreement as settling “a very important question that will regulate our relationship with Belarus for years to come.”
Analysts suggest that United Russia will face significant losses in the country’s upcoming elections. Although not enough to lose a majority in parliament, according to the Wall Street Journal, it could be enough to lose the two-thirds majority required to change the Russian constitution. Russia’s sluggish economy and stagnant living standards are partially to blame for the drop in popularity. Party officials are now scrambling to boost their numbers, while the country’s leaders increase their anti-Western rhetoric, a time-honored tactic to increase public support.