The political realities of contemporary Russia are poorly understood by Western observers and policy-makers. Yet whether it is the conflict in Syria, the Winter Olympics in Sochi or the crisis in Ukraine, Russia dominates the headlines.

In this highly engaging book, Andrew Monaghan explains the importance of 'getting Russia right', and not simply accepting dominant political narratives that focus on the theme of Russia's historical progress towards democracy, and more recently, on the increasing turn towards authoritarianism, and the major obstacle posed by President Vladimir Putin to Russia's development and reform.

The New Politics of Russia reflects on the evolution of Russia studies since the end of the Cold War, offering a robust critique of the mainstream view of Russia. It goes on to place the Ukraine crisis within a broader historical framework and considers the ongoing evolution in Russian domestic politics. The book also explores the relationship between the West and Russia, charting the development of relations and investigating causes of the increasingly obvious sense of strategic dissonance.

By delving into the depths of these difficult questions, the work offers a more dynamic and complex model for interpreting Russia, and in doing so, makes a significant contribution to public policy and academic debate. The New Politics of Russia is essential reading for students and scholars of Russian politics.