April 9, 2015 (Stratfor, repub. by Vietnamica) — With Russia entering its second recession in six years, the country’s economic and financial hardships are starting to weigh on the Russian people and regional governments. In times of severe economic crisis, such as those in 1905 and 1998, the Russian populace and regional authorities traditionally react against federal authority, fragmenting the country. Those in power in Moscow understand this and are taking measures to ensure that they counter and prevent any social or regional backlash and dissent. The Russian economy has been in steep decline for more than a (more…)
↧