Arrests Hurt Russia's Image More than Terrorist Acts

{
  "authors": [
    "Andrew Kuchins"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "ctw",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "russia",
  "programs": [
    "Russia and Eurasia"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Caucasus",
    "Russia"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Security"
  ]
}

In The Media

Arrests Hurt Russia's Image More than Terrorist Acts

By Andrew Kuchins

Published on Jul 10, 2003

Source: Carnegie

Originally published in Nezavisimaya Gazeta on July 10, 2003. For full article (in Russian) click here.

The Tushino bombing has tarnished Russia's international image after major efforts by the Putin administration to impress the West and the rest of the world at recent summit meetings and lavish 300th anniversary celebrations in St. Petersburg. However, last week's bombings will not have the international impact of the hostage-taking incident in Moscow last year.

More worrisome for Russia's international image, however, (and certainly tied to the ongoing electoral cycle) is the news of the detainment of Menatep head Platon Lebedev. There is a suggestion that the charge is tied to a battle in the Kremlin the part of those who believe Yukos is becoming too powerful following its major merger with Sibneft. If that is the case, it would also greatly tarnish what had been Russia's improving image in Western financial circles. Who will want to invest in Russia when it still appears the government can arbitrarily take down major business leaders at will? And who really believes that Mr. Lebedev, if it comes to trial, will be able to get a fair trial in the Russian court system? It is negative answers to these questions that can be most damaging to Russia's international image in the months and years ahead.

About the Author

Andrew Kuchins

Former Senior Associate and Director, Russian & Eurasian Program

Recent Work

Article
Russian Spin Job?
- Andrew Kuchins
Article
Vladimir the Lucky
- Andrew Kuchins

Security Caucasus Russia

Carnegie India does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie India

Commentary
A Halting Turn: India’s Military Transformation
In any defense establishment, change is an ongoing process. However, despite the best of intentions, existing bureaucracies, bound by habit and years of socialization, have their limits in implementing transformative change.
Anit Mukherjee
Paper
Threading the Needle: India’s Path Forward with China
After the chill in ties between 2020 and 2024 that brought India–China relations to their lowest point in several decades, the two countries have engaged each other afresh. This paper argues that there are predominantly four imperatives guiding India’s approach to China, and they exist in an order of priority.
Saheb Singh Chadha
Article
Managing Divergence: India’s BRICS Presidency in 2026
This piece argues that India’s central challenge is not managing a single flashpoint but resolving the underlying tension between expansion and institutional coherency of the BRICS grouping.
Vrinda Sahai
Article
India’s Oil Security Strategy: Structural Vulnerabilities and Strategic Choices
This piece argues that the present Indian strategy, based on opportunistic diversification and utilization of limited strategic reserves, remains inadequate when confronting supply disruptions. It evaluates India’s options in the short, medium, and long terms.
Vrinda Sahai
Commentary
The Impact of U.S. Sanctions and Tariffs on India’s Russian Oil Imports
This piece examines India’s response to U.S. sanctions and tariffs, specifically assessing the immediate market consequences, such as alterations in import costs, and the broader strategic implications for India’s energy security and foreign policy orientation.
Vrinda Sahai

More Work from Carnegie India

Commentary

A Halting Turn: India’s Military Transformation

In any defense establishment, change is an ongoing process. However, despite the best of intentions, existing bureaucracies, bound by habit and years of socialization, have their limits in implementing transformative change.

Anit Mukherjee

Paper

Threading the Needle: India’s Path Forward with China

After the chill in ties between 2020 and 2024 that brought India–China relations to their lowest point in several decades, the two countries have engaged each other afresh. This paper argues that there are predominantly four imperatives guiding India’s approach to China, and they exist in an order of priority.

Saheb Singh Chadha

Article

Managing Divergence: India’s BRICS Presidency in 2026

This piece argues that India’s central challenge is not managing a single flashpoint but resolving the underlying tension between expansion and institutional coherency of the BRICS grouping.

Vrinda Sahai

Article

India’s Oil Security Strategy: Structural Vulnerabilities and Strategic Choices

This piece argues that the present Indian strategy, based on opportunistic diversification and utilization of limited strategic reserves, remains inadequate when confronting supply disruptions. It evaluates India’s options in the short, medium, and long terms.

Vrinda Sahai

Commentary

The Impact of U.S. Sanctions and Tariffs on India’s Russian Oil Imports

This piece examines India’s response to U.S. sanctions and tariffs, specifically assessing the immediate market consequences, such as alterations in import costs, and the broader strategic implications for India’s energy security and foreign policy orientation.

Vrinda Sahai