Liberal Forum

CHAPTER ONE
Introduction ....................................................................... 1
Methodology ....................................................................... 3
Overview and the Central Argument of the Report........................... 5

CHAPTER TWO
Russia’s Anxieties and Vulnerabilities ........................................ 7
Russia Since 1991 ................................................................. 10
Contemporary Russian Military ................................................ 14
Contemporary Russian Economy ............................................... 21
Contemporary Russian Politics.................................................. 29
Contemporary Russian Foreign Policy ......................................... 37
Russian Anxieties ................................................................ 43

CHAPTER THREE
Economic Measures ............................................................. 47
Recent Russian Economic Performance....................................... 48
Measure 1: Hinder Petroleum Exports ........................................ 54
Measure 2: Reduce Natural Gas Exports and Hinder
Pipeline Expansions.......................................................... 59
Measure 3: Impose Sanctions.................................................... 69
Measure 4: Enhance Russian Brain Drain..................................... 85
Recommendations ............................................................... 90

CHAPTER FOUR
Geopolitical Measures .......................................................... 95
Measure 1: Provide Lethal Aid to Ukraine ................................... 96
Measure 2: Increase Support to the Syrian Rebels .......................... 103
Measure 3: Promote Regime Change in Belarus............................ 109
Measure 4: Exploit Tensions in the South Caucasus........................ 115
Measure 5: Reduce Russian Influence in Central Asia ..................... 121
Measure 6: Challenge Russian Presence in Moldova ....................... 130
Recommendations .............................................................. 135

CHAPTER FIVE
Ideological and Informational Measures.................................. 137
Pathways for Influence Operations............................................ 138
Current Status of Russian Regime Legitimacy .............................. 140
Russian Domestic Environment............................................... 144
Policy Measures to Diminish Domestic and Foreign Support for the
Russian Regime ............................................................ 158
Recommendations .............................................................. 170

Continued...