Russia: A Kremlin of crude calculations

Major analysis feature. When energy prices rise, Moscow becomes more hardline. Yet it is an emboldened middle class that might trip Putin up in the 2012 Presidential election in Russia.

ESO: Background information: Putin woos middle class with wage promise http://www.europeansources.info/record/putin-woos-middle-class-with-wage-promise/

ESO: Background information: Russian presidential election, 2012 http://www.europeansources.info/record/russian-presidential-election-2012/

ESO: Background information: Putin unveils plan to boost Russian military http://www.europeansources.info/record/putin-unveils-plan-to-boost-russian-military/

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