[Article] Autocracy in Russia?

"The Kremlin Kowtow: Why have western leaders and intellectuals gone soft on Russia's autocracy?" Foreign Affairs - Lilia Shevtsova, 5 Jan. 2010. Here.


Ms. Shevtsova wonders why so many western thinkers and politicians are willing to believe that Russia is progressing towards a more open democracy or, at the very least, are unwilling to criticize signs of autocracy and authoritarianism. It seems to me, however, that there are plenty of western critics of Russia; most media reports are likely to be skeptical or guarded when it comes to the Kremlin. And we don't need to think too far back (hints: McCain, missile defense, Georgian war) to find examples of flashpoints for Russia critics.