Andrei Piontkovsky

Andrei Piontkovsky is an eminent Russian academic and political analyst, specialising in Russian foreign and domestic politics and military strategic issues. A mathematician by training, he lives and works in Moscow.

Apocalypse now

The forced resignation of Duma deputies accused of owning property they had not declared shows Vladimir Putin trying, in the same way as his illustrious forebear Josef Stalin, to purge the ranks. But you can’t set a thief to catch a thief, says Andrei Piontkovsky

By Andrei Piontkovsky

/ 27 Feb 2013

Someone else? The latest twist in Russian politics

The Russian Defence Minister was recently sacked, ostensibly for corruption. The apparent weakening of the Putin myth and resulting unease inside the Kremlin must lead to a search for a new leader. Perhaps he has already arrived, muses Andrei Piontkovsky

By Andrei Piontkovsky

/ 13 Nov 2012

A Putative president for Russia, in for life...

Putin’s recent announcement that he would be “standing for” president caught people off guard, as it was intended to. For Andrei Piontkovsky, it was a disgusting spectacle and test of the Russian people that will almost certainly end badly.

By Andrei Piontkovsky

/ 29 Sep 2011

North Caucasus: one war lost, another one begins

The region of the North Caucasus is on fire. Its young people — poorly educated and unemployed — believe radical Islam could be solution to their problems. In Mother Russia, meanwhile, a new generation of disenfranchised youngsters are smarting from their lot. The two groups may be soon on collisi

By Andrei Piontkovsky

/ 16 Mar 2011

Russia's national zombie

All authoritarian regimes come to an end at some point. In Russia they tend to implode. The Putin regime is displaying many of the signs of impending collapse. Andrei Piontkovsky wonders whether the destruction of statehood can be avoided this time.

By Andrei Piontkovsky

/ 13 Dec 2010

Russia's new perestroika?

Commentators in Russia and abroad are wondering if there is any hope of a Medvedev liberalisation, de-Putinisation, a thaw and perestroika. If this were true, it would lead to people

By Andrei Piontkovsky

/ 29 Apr 2009

Khodorkovsky: blood or cash?

The second trial of Mikhail Khodorkovsky began on 3 March. It is a significant event, though not unique in the history of Russian political trials. The sadistic desire to kick

By Andrei Piontkovsky

/ 17 Mar 2009