Even as the Kremlin moves from soft authoritarianism to a much harsher form, a new Russia is emerging, one presented by civil society and its drive for dignity and freedom.

Despite their initial inclination to lower the profile of U.S. democracy promotion, President Obama has had to confront a series of urgent, visible democracy issues, from political upheaval in multiple Arab countries and unexpected events in Russia to thwarted elections in Côte d’Ivoire and beyond.

The U.S.-Russia reset can boast impressive accomplishments in the security and economic spheres, but the stability of the relationship remains in doubt as long as the “values gap” between the two strategic partners goes unaddressed.

Russia’s current push for economic modernization coincides with growing political activism and concerns, both among domestic groups and in the West, about the absence of political liberalization.