1. Russian Politics Today An update on politics in Russia

2. Certain materials are included under the fair use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law and have been prepared according to the multimedia fair use guidelines and are restricted from further use. Flags and maps obtained from: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/ © 2006 -Jon Benignus

3. Collapse of the Soviets The separate republics all declared independence as the Soviet Union began to disintegrate The ‘puppet states’ in Eastern Europe all replaced their Communist leaders with democratically elected non- communists

4. 6,592,735 square miles

6. Population Density

7. Where do Russians Live Most Russians live west of the Ural Mountains – Why? –Because it is so darn cold east of the Urals – that’s why! –All of Russia to the east of the Ural Mountains is called Siberia

9. After Communism Russian economy fell after the collapse of the Soviet Union

10. Dmitry Medvedev & Vladimir Putin Putin - former KGB officer President since 2000 – 2008 Prime Minister since 2008 Strong ruler Medvedev president 2008 - 2013 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dmitry_Medvedev

11. Russian Democracy? Putin has weakened democracy No freedom of the press Is he controlling Medvedev? http://paxrex.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/medvede v_by_benheine.jpg

12. Putin’s Back!! Now Putin is President again Medvedev is the Prime Minister

13. The Russian Economy Putin has strengthen central government Economy has strengthened

14. Russian Oil & Gas Russia now #1 supplier of oil & natural gas –Saudi Arabia now #2 Most wells in Siberia http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=2633952

15. Russian Oil & Gas (cont.) http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=2633952

16. Russian Oil & Gas (cont.) http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=4484349

18. The Caucasus Region In an area the size of California over 40 different languages are spoken

19. The Caucasus mountains isolate ethnic groups and preserve their distinct way of life

20. Armenia Հայաստան Located in the Caucasus Mountains Considered the first Christian country; founded in the early 300’s Over 1 million Armenians were killed in the Armenian Genocide by Turkey from 1915- 1923

21. Chechnya Part of Russia today –Different nationality (ethnic group) Caucasians Converted to Sunni Islam 500 years ago –Wanted independence from Russia 1 st Chechen War 1994 – 1996 –Chechnya lost Russia relocated 40% of the Chechen population Poor economy (kidnapping major source of income)

23. 2 nd Chechen War (1999 – 2000) Many Chechens converted to Wahhabi Islam (very strict Sunni Islam) –Between 1996 and 1999 –Believed the only way to free Chechnya is through terrorism Russia brutally put down the Chechen revolt –Putin’s first big test as president of Russia

24. 2 nd Chechen War

25. Grozny (capital of Chechnya) after the Russian army retook the city

26. Chechen Terrorism Over half of the Chechen population are refugees Terrorism in Russia Now terrorism in United States