Russia’s Domestic Security Wars

Peter Reddaway is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Georgetown University, USA.

The book is a case study of Putin's use of the tactics of divide and rule in relation to, particularly, the hard-line elements among his supporters. It illustrates Putin's methods of staying in power vis-à-vis groups that might put too much pressure on him, or who might even try to oust him. The project also suggests that Putin's survival tactics have brought Russia to a deeply corrupt, state-dominated form of authoritarianism, which lacks deep institutional roots and will probably lead in due course to some form of state collapse. This work will appeal to a wide audience including political scientists, academics, graduate students, and everyone who is interested in contemporary Russian politics.

Illustrates key elements of the inner political strategies of Vladimir Putin's regime

1. Origins of the Cherkesov-Zolotov and Sechin Groupings.- 2. Putin's Re-Election in March 2004 and the Murder of Tsepov in September.- 3. Summary of the Argument to Date and How It Will Develop Regarding 2005 - 2010 .- 4. Spring 2005 - Case of Smuggled Chinese Goods Rocks FSS and Patrushev.- 5. November 2005 - Early 2006 Putin's Succession-Related Moves; Silovik War Heats Up.- 6. May-June 2006 - Fight for the Customs Service - Full-Scale War between the Silovik Clans; the Fall of Ustinov - a Triumph for the Cherkesovites.- 7. November 2006 - the Tide Turns against the Cherkesov-Zolotov Group. as the Succession Struggle Heats Up.- 8. 2007 - Putin Tells the Sechinites He Favours Naryshkin for the Presidency.- 9. October 2007 - Cherkesov Makes His Last Stand - Putin's Minimal Aid to Him Masks His Incipient Abandonment of His Longstanding Associate.- 10. How the War Had Evolved by Mid-October 2007: Putin's Mo in Crisis.- 11. Late 2007 - Difficulty Selecting a Successor: Medvedev Chosen at Last Minute.- 12. 2007-2008 - War Fades, Tandem Forms, Cherkesov Clan Dissolves, Sechinites Decline; Putin Generates New Factional Wars: General Procuracy vs.  Investigations Committee of the Procuracy (Icp), Medvedev v. Sechin.- 13. 2008-2012 - the Different Fates of the Cherkesov and Sechin Groups.