Russia

Marc Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.; This title collects articles discussing opposing viewpoints on Russia, examining its potential for a democratic government, cultural conflicts, and foreign relations with the United States. Table of Contents: Why Consider Opposing Viewpoints? -- Introduction -- Chapter 1. What Is Russia's Role in International Politics? -- Chapter Preface -- 1. Oil, Carrots, and Sticks: Russia's Energy Resources as a Foreign Policy Tool / Randall Newnham -- 2. Resurgent Russia? Rethinking Energy Inc / Andreas Goldthau -- 3. Russia's Influence in the Middle East Threatens American Interests / Ariel Cohen -- 4. Russia's Influence in the Middle East Remains Unclear / Marcin Kaczmarski -- 5. Russia Will Gain an Advantage in Nuclear Arms Under New Treaties / Robert G. Joseph -- 6. Both Russian and American Nuclear Arms Should Be Reduced Further / Bruce Blair et al -- Periodical Bibliography -- Chapter 2. Is Russia Moving Toward Democracy? -- Chapter Preface -- 1. Russia Is Moving Toward Democracy / Mikhail Khodorkovsky -- 2. Russia Is Moving Away from Democracy / Kathy Lally, Will Englund -- 3. Soviet-Style Nationalism Has Cemented Authoritarianism in Russia / Randall D. Law -- 4. Grassroots Organizations in Russia Are Leading a Civil Rights Movement / Leon Awn -- 5. The Russian Government Undermines Civil Rights / Yury Dzhibladze -- Periodical Bibliography -- Chapter 3. What Relationship Should the West Foster with Russia? -- Chapter Preface -- 1. The United States Should Pass Legislation to Discourage Human Rights Abuses in Russia / Robert Kagan, David J. Kramer -- 2. US Legislation Will Not Be Effective in Combating Human Rights Abuses in Russia / Raymond Sontag -- 3. Western Support for the Punk Band Pussy Riot Draws Attention to Russia's Authoritarianism / Gideon Rachman -- 4. Western Support for the Punk Band Pussy Riot Has Obscured the Plight of Other Russian Dissidents / Joshua Foust -- 5. The United States Should Not View Russia as a Strategic Partner / Garry Kasparov -- Periodical Bibliography -- Chapter 4. How Is Russian Culture Changing? -- Chapter Preface -- 1. Orthodox Religion Is a Socially Unifying Force in Post-Soviet Russia / John P. Burgess -- 2. Teaching Orthodox Religion in Russian Schools Is a Return to Totalitarianism / Mikhail Sitnikov -- 3. Television Is a Threat to Russian Youth and Culture / Mikhail N. Berulava -- 4. Skinhead Violence Rising in Russia / Mark Ames, Alexander Zaitchik -- 5. A More Open Political System Would Thwart the Ambitions of Russia's Ultranationalists / Daniil Davydoff -- Periodical Bibliography -- For Further Discussion -- Organizations to Contact -- Bibliography of Books -- Index. Contributor Bio:  Haugen, David B01