Current Events Paper Synopsis Example Name ___________________________

History 8

2003

Jeffrey Stroebel

A New Russia

Thesis: Although small vestiges of Soviet-era thinking still remain, the Russia of 2003 bears little resemblance to the post-Soviet state of a decade ago.

Summary:

After dashed hopes of replacing the “communist paradise” with an instant capitalist utopia, Russia is finally making progress under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin. The chaos and uncertainty of the Yeltsin years is being replaced by an improving economy and the creation of a legal framework that will replace the “Wild West” atmosphere of the dismantling of the Soviet state. While serious questions about the status of true electoral democracy and freedom of the press still exist, Russia is re-emerging in a new form as an important world power. Together, Presidents Bush and Putin have wiped away the last vestiges of the Cold War, as the two countries have become important allies in the war on terrorism, and the vast potential of Russia to supply vital sources of energy to the United States in the future can only encourage continued strong relations.

Sources: [Minimum of six main line sources, stated in proper MLA format]

Aslund, Anders. “Think Again: Russia.” Foreign Policy July/August 2001: 20-25. [Periodical]

Baker, Peter. “Russian-Iraqi Oil Ties Worry U.S.” Washington Post 1 September 2002: A16. [Newspaper]

Carney, James. “Our New Best Friend.” Time 27 May 2002: 42-46. [Periodical]

Freeland, Chrystia. Sale of the Century: Russia’s Wild Ride from Communism to Capitalism. New York: Crown, 2000. [Book]

Ignatius, David. “Putin and the Oligarchs.” Editorial. Washington Post 23 July 2000: B7. [Newspaper Editorial]

Jensen, Donald. “Putin Rebuilds Oligarchy.” Moscow Times 6 March 2001. 19 November 2002. <http://www.moscowtimes.ru/stories/2001/03/06/015.html>. [Internet]

Lannin, Partick. “Kudrin: No Repeat of 1998 Crisis.” Reuters 20 August 2001. [News Service]

Montaige, Fen. “Russia Rising.” National Geographic November 2001: 2-31. [Periodical]

“Soviet Legacy: From Communism through Chaos.” CNN.com In-Depth Specials 2001. 22 November 2002. < http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/russia/>. [Internet Site]

Weir, Fred. “Russia Opens Tough Capitalist Frontier.” Christian Science Monitor 24 October 2001: 6. [Newspaper]