Publication

This paper examines Russia's transition to a new president in March 2008. The author argues it is impossible to determine whether Dmitry Medvedev will be a de facto junior partner of Vladimir Putin or if he will be a fully independent president. In any case, a fully independent Medvedev may find it difficult to manage the various competing factions in the Russian leadership. The author argues moreover that the Russian energy lobby will become an ever-increasing aspect of Russian politics. It will also become an ever more important aspect of Russian foreign policy.