http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/keyword/russia Inquiries Journal provides undergraduate and graduate students around the world a platform for the wide dissemination of academic work over a range of core disciplines. en-us Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:14:00 -0400 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:14:00 -0400 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1921/vindication-for-tin-foil-hats-an-analysis-of-unethical-cold-war-experiments-and-their-enduring-consequences By Michael D. Opheim - While the Cold War is popularly regarded as a war of ideological conflict, to consider it solely as such does the long-winded tension a great disservice. In actuality, the Cold War manifested itself in numerous areas of life, including the various scientific fields of the Contemporary Era. Accordingly, scientific research became nothing more than a competition to both the United States and Soviet governments, influencing both to hastily expend their resources on progressing their respective understandings of science. In their hasty pursuit of scientific superiority, however, recent investigations... Wed, 10 Nov 2021 09:11 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1921/vindication-for-tin-foil-hats-an-analysis-of-unethical-cold-war-experiments-and-their-enduring-consequences http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1896/ethnography-folklore-afanasev-and-russian-self-identity By Margaret R. Devlin - While the history of ethnography in Russia dates back to the Kievan Rus era, modern ethnographic production in Russia developed in the 17th century and expanded during the late 18th and early 19th centuries as interest in folktales and in the lives and natures of Russian peasants exploded amongst the Russian elite. This paper briefly explores the history of Russian ethnography before examining the Russian concepts of narod (народ, the people) and narodnost (народность, the Russian soul). This work examines the folklore collections of Alexander Afanasev and his process of editing... Thu, 08 Apr 2021 03:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1896/ethnography-folklore-afanasev-and-russian-self-identity http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1841/molding-the-peasantry-on-the-road-to-modernity-state-and-peasant-relations-in-russia-and-the-soviet-union By Sophia Hernandez Tragesser - This paper examines the peasantry's response to modernization measures taken by Imperial Russia and the Soviet Union during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the pursuit of modernity, the Tsarist Russian and early Soviet regimes altered the nature of the peasantry through domestic policy and reactions to international crises. The shifting social spheres among peasants prompted two reactions: resistance to governmental forces or adaptation to the new order to maximize personal gain. In both cases, peasants exerted great agency over their situations and although subject to governmental... Thu, 19 Nov 2020 11:13 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1841/molding-the-peasantry-on-the-road-to-modernity-state-and-peasant-relations-in-russia-and-the-soviet-union http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1750/the-versipel-charles-kinbote-in-vladimir-nabokovs-pale-fire By Brenda S. Tolian - Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov is a masterpiece of literature that seems to transform into a remarkably personal experience for anyone who approaches the text. The book reads in many ways like a game full of mysteries and innuendos and has in its postmodern approach no discernible rules. One can begin as usual, or dive into the index or immerse themselves in the cantos first. Our expectations of what text should do and how someone should act can become shattered by this book that refuses to behave. Almost at once one has this queer feeling that they are a witness to the manipulations of Charles... Wed, 09 Jan 2019 09:24 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1750/the-versipel-charles-kinbote-in-vladimir-nabokovs-pale-fire http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1745/changes-in-estonian-defense-policy-following-episodes-of-russian-aggression By Benjamin Cooper - After joining the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2004, Estonians felt secure and in charge of their future. However, following the 2007 Bronze Horseman incident in the Estonian capital of Tallinn which included riots incited by Russian disinformation as well as cyberattacks on the Estonian banking and government infrastructure, many in Estonia became cognizant of the need for the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF), NATO, and the EU to do more to combat the growing Russian threat. When Russia invaded Crimea in 2014, any Estonian illusions of a peaceful and mutually... Tue, 30 Oct 2018 09:29 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1745/changes-in-estonian-defense-policy-following-episodes-of-russian-aggression http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1458/the-polar-bear-expedition-of-1918--1919-interpreting-masculinity-through-the-eyes-of-a-soldier By James G. Partain - While historians argued over the reason for the expedition’s failure, from military problems, political problems, or a lack of a proper objective, what has not been discussed, however, is what the men on the expedition experienced. The human element of the story is left out. More importantly, how did they process their experiences when they returned home? To answer this question, I will examine a number of primary sources written by those present during the expedition. These sources will not only reveal how events on the Expedition were viewed by the men, but also how they viewed other countries... Tue, 11 Oct 2016 08:32 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1458/the-polar-bear-expedition-of-1918--1919-interpreting-masculinity-through-the-eyes-of-a-soldier http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1319/the-new-silk-road-assessing-prospects-for-win-win-cooperation-in-central-asia By Siyao Li - The New Silk Road, formally termed the Silk Road Economic Belt and also known as the "One Belt, One Road," was first proposed by China's President Xi Jinping during his 2013 visit to Central Asia. This initiative aims to revive the historical vitality of trade and exchanges among Central Asian countries and China.1 The vision of the Economic Belt "[brings] together China, Central Asia, Russia and Europe (the Baltic); linking China with the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea through Central Asia and the Indian Ocean."2 In Central Asia, the New Silk Road is designed to pass through Khorgos,... Fri, 01 Jan 2016 12:00 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1319/the-new-silk-road-assessing-prospects-for-win-win-cooperation-in-central-asia http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1179/a-new-cold-war-explaining-russias-new-confrontations-with-the-west By Michael McFaul - What I want to do today is answer one really big question. If we have time maybe we’ll get to the second question, but I want to answer one big question, because that’s what we should do as academics. It comes from an experience I had right after I left government. I came home to Palo Alto, and one of my neighbors said, “Mike you should come over for lunch, we’re interested in hearing about your experiences in Moscow.” So I went over to lunch and we started talking, and my neighbor started telling some stories about his time in government. My neighbor is George... Wed, 15 Apr 2015 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1179/a-new-cold-war-explaining-russias-new-confrontations-with-the-west http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/930/the-power-of-the-happy-family-in-tolstoys-anna-karenina By Jessica N. Laird - Although the novel is mainly about unhappy families, Tolstoy makes the story of the one happy family, Ekaterina Scherbatsky (Kitty) and Konstantin Levin (Kostya), just as interesting as the others. Although every other relationship seems to tear apart its members, Kitty and Kostya stand out because their love makes them stronger. Nikolai Levin, Kostya’s brother, has the primary importance of illustrating how their relationship allows them to cope with issues that they cannot deal with on their own. We see the very qualities that make them unable to handle his illness by themselves turned... Mon, 27 Oct 2014 08:44 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/930/the-power-of-the-happy-family-in-tolstoys-anna-karenina http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/891/the-international-military-police-and-the-allied-intervention-in-the-russian-civil-war By Christopher T. McMaster - In 1914 Russia was a powerful empire. It constituted a fundamental part of the European balance of power. However, years of bloody and costly war changed the nation by bringing to boil all the inequities and discontent built up under the Tsarist order. By 1917 up to two million men lay dead, with nearly three million more wounded and sick.1 In February of that year the Romanov dynasty was overthrown and a provisional government formed. Unwisely deciding to continue the fight against Germany, that government was likewise overthrown. On November 7, 1917 the Bolsheviks entered the Winter Palace and... Thu, 24 Apr 2014 11:12 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/891/the-international-military-police-and-the-allied-intervention-in-the-russian-civil-war http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/889/woodrow-wilson-and-the-american-expeditionary-force-to-siberia-1918-1920 By Christopher T. McMaster - Several explanations of Wilson’s actions have since emerged.1 Two interpretations see intervention as part of the Allied war effort, with the President portrayed as believing claims that the Bolsheviks were actually German Agents, or as acting in a way to steer his allies into supporting Russian ‘liberal nationalism’ against the threats of both Russian Bolshevism and German militarism.2 A third interpretation, offered by the former diplomat George Kennan, explains the dispatch of troops ultimately as an effort to rescue the beleaguered “Czech Legion,” which had just... Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:40 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/889/woodrow-wilson-and-the-american-expeditionary-force-to-siberia-1918-1920 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1190/muslims-in-moscow By Caitlin Toto - Since then, an inherent intolerance for Muslims has been embedded within the foundation of the country’s national identity. The recent influx of Muslims, precipitated by stagnant development in the Caucuses and Central Asia, have highlighted and reinforced the ideal that Muslims pose as an inferior, yet dangerous “other” in Muscovite society. Paradoxically, Moscow’s economy has become increasingly dependent upon an “outsider” workforce that many of its citizens hold a prejudice against; thus, the Russian government must soon find a way to alleviate the bitter... Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1190/muslims-in-moscow http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/758/the-barents-sea-conflict-russia-and-norway-competing-over-fossil-fuel-riches-in-the-arctic By Niklas Witte - This article aims to investigate the effects of moderators such as culture, power dynamics and political factors on the negotiation behavior and processes displayed in a dyadic, geopolitical negotiation scenario by using a hybrid model of well-established negotiation frameworks. In addition, it evaluates if and to what extent media attention and (third-party) political coalitions influence this negotiation scenario and the resulting bilateral negotiation outcomes.The majority of existing negotiation research on the Barents Sea conflict focuses on agreements regulating the fishing industry only... Mon, 16 Sep 2013 10:53 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/758/the-barents-sea-conflict-russia-and-norway-competing-over-fossil-fuel-riches-in-the-arctic http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1212/campaign-of-devastation-assessing-motives-for-the-russian-governments-1999-2000-destruction-of-chechnya By Laura Resnick - In 1999, the Russian government all but razed Chechnya’s capital city of Groznyy. The Russian military devastated Chechnya, killing thousands of civilians and wiping out vital infrastructure, signifying the capstone in a campaign of destruction inflicted on Chechnya to crush the burgeoning separatist movement. Government-rebel attacks like this one occur when governments seek to end insurgent campaigns by using force to kill rebels and destroy their base of support.1 The unusual paradox in the Russian-Chechen conflict was that the Russian government’s ultimate intent was to stop the... Thu, 01 Nov 2012 06:41 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1212/campaign-of-devastation-assessing-motives-for-the-russian-governments-1999-2000-destruction-of-chechnya http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/702/from-proto-state-to-para-state-accountability-russian-political-regimes-under-yeltsin-putin-and-medvedev By Moritz A. Pieper - When on September 24th,  2011 Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin announced his bid to run for president in the presidential elections in March 2012, a supposition in Russia's political regime was confirmed that many observers suspected would come true ever since the assumption of office of president Dmitri Medvedev in May 2008. With a constitutionally correct departure from the presidency, Putin still remained the influential political heavy weight in Russian politics, making Medvedev appear to be merely a pale place holder for Putin's return to the presidential driver's seat in 2012,... Wed, 26 Sep 2012 10:12 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/702/from-proto-state-to-para-state-accountability-russian-political-regimes-under-yeltsin-putin-and-medvedev http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/631/russia-and-iran-strategic-partners-or-competing-regional-hegemons-a-critical-analysis-of-russian-iranian-relations-in-the-post-soviet-space By Moritz A. Pieper - Russia and Iran have a long history of being geographic neighbours, rivals, competitors and partners - a history which has coined mutual expectations, stereotypes and interactions. Still present in the Iranian collective memory, Tsarist Russia expanded territorially into wide parts of what had hitherto been part of “Greater Iran” in Central Asia and the Caucasus. That way, Tehran lost Tbilisi and Baku to Russia in the 1813 Treaty of Gulistan and the khanates of Yerevan and Nakhichevan in the 1828 Treaty of Turkmanchai (Katouzian 2009: 144) - a historic disgrace which not only took... Sat, 07 Apr 2012 10:52 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/631/russia-and-iran-strategic-partners-or-competing-regional-hegemons-a-critical-analysis-of-russian-iranian-relations-in-the-post-soviet-space http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/600/comparing-the-tsarist-russian-and-soviet-empires By Magdalena Noga - Compared to other empires throughout history, the USSR was an exception. The rulers of the Soviet Union viewed empire and imperialism in ideological terms as ‘the highest and final stage of capitalism’.[1] By this Leninist definition, the Soviet Union did not identify itself as an empire, and instead, its leaders vehemently denounced imperialism that was carried out by its enemies and competitors: the capitalist states. Despite its own anguish over being identified as an empire, the Soviet Union indeed was one. While the meaning of ‘empire’ has shifted over time, for the... Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:14 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/600/comparing-the-tsarist-russian-and-soviet-empires http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1081/the-resurgence-of-russia-and-its-relations-with-europe-a-true-transformation-or-a-superficial-change By Krzysztof Siczek - The first decade of the twenty-first century was a period of change for Russia. The crisis of the 1990s was/were overcome and its international posture has improved. However, the scope and the stability of the shift are debatable and there is no agreement in the literature over its meaning for European security. On the one hand, it is argued that Russia has become the energy superpower1 successfully pursuing an independent foreign policy. Dmitri Trenin2 has gone so far as to state that Russia has left the West politically. The adherents to this line of reasoning point to the macroeconomic revolution3... Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1081/the-resurgence-of-russia-and-its-relations-with-europe-a-true-transformation-or-a-superficial-change http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/543/dostoevskys-hegelian-parody-in-crime-and-punishment By Ian L. O'Kidhain - This project examines the role of the Left Hegelian school of philosophy in Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Special attention is given to Georg Hegel's section on “World Historical Individuals” from Philosophy of History and Rodion Raskolnikov's philosophy from Crime and Punishment. The text argues that Raskolnikov is largely an agent of Left Hegelianism created by Dostoevsky to illustrate a philosophy that the author opposed. That philosophy, Left Hegelianism, held that ultimately all reality is subjectable to rational categorization, an idea that grew into a movement that... Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:02 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/543/dostoevskys-hegelian-parody-in-crime-and-punishment http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/529/gender-and-power-in-vladimir-nabokovs-lolita By Tristan Gans - In Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita, the overriding force of the narrator, Humbert Humbert, is his need to prove himself master of everything: other people, his own desires, fate, and language itself. Time and time again through Lolita we see Humbert’s most extreme actions and emotions not as a result of his physical desires but rather his psychological need to win, to possess, and to control. Gender relations are quite simple for him: women are to be possessed, and men should compete for the possession of women. At times Humbert competes to prove his superiority in other ways, for instance tricking... Wed, 18 May 2011 08:05 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/529/gender-and-power-in-vladimir-nabokovs-lolita http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1229/the-problems-of-former-ussr-citizens-in-russian-latvian-relations By Konstantin Pakhorukov - The problem of migration is one of the most urgent ones in the modern world. As a rule, people migrate voluntarily. In the USSR, however, migration against people's free will was quite a widespread phenomenon. Thus, many Russians found themselves in the Baltic Soviet Socialist Republics. The USSR broke up, but the consequences of its disintegration still influence Russian-Latvian relations. About 15 percent of the Latvian population, mostly Russians, have the status of non-citizens and are therefore restricted in their rights compared to ordinary citizens. There are also other difficulties with... Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1229/the-problems-of-former-ussr-citizens-in-russian-latvian-relations http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/412/the-negotiations-at-brest-litovsk-new-york-times-coverage-from-january-1st-to-12th-1918 By Melissa S. McHugh - The New York Times coverage of negotiations at Brest-Litovsk between January 1 and January 12, 1918, reflected the newspaper's preoccupation with Germany during wartime and her ulterior motives. It also evinced skepticism about the Bolsheviks' sincerity in their claims about not wanting a separate peace. The Times published articles that spoke to the German desire for annexations on the Eastern Front, particularly in Poland, as well as articles that insinuated Germany's attempt to negotiate with the Bolsheviks was designed to split the Entente. In addition, these articles expressed doubt about... Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:34 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/412/the-negotiations-at-brest-litovsk-new-york-times-coverage-from-january-1st-to-12th-1918 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/396/disappearance-and-death-the-fate-of-chechen-human-rights-activists By Kylie Poulin - Article 3 of the Universal Declaration states, “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” This right is constantly violated by those who end up dead as a result of speaking out against a corrupt and violent government. Article 5 guarantees that each person shall not “be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.” Article 9 provides for those illegally detained, stating, “no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile” (United Nations). Nonetheless, human rights violations and murdering... Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:08 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/396/disappearance-and-death-the-fate-of-chechen-human-rights-activists http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/378/byzantine-and-russian-influences-in-andrei-rublevs-art By Iulia O. Basu-Zharku - Andrei Rublev (c. 1360-1430) is a mysterious figure, whose biography is not well known, although he is historically considered the best-known painter of Russian icons and frescoes. Early in his life he joined the Trinity-Sergei Lavra Monastery, becoming the pupil of Prokhor of Gorodets before moving to Andronikov Monastery, near Moscow, where he also died.[1] In 1405, along with Prokhor of Gorodets, Rublev worked with Theophanes the Greek at the frescoes of the Annunciation Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin, and some of these, namely the Annunciation, Nativity, Baptism of Christ, Transfiguration... Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:24 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/378/byzantine-and-russian-influences-in-andrei-rublevs-art http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1660/the-reign-of-peter-the-great By Iulia O. Basu-Zharku - Those reforms that had the greatest impact on the structure of society were the increase of taxation, the setting up of the Synod, the Westernization of the country and people, the bringing in of foreign experts, and the introduction of state service. Along with these, the method Peter the Great used in dealing with his rivals and enemies speaks to the same issue. The introduction of heavy taxation fell more on the shoulders of the peasants and serfs, which contributed to the aggravation of their already precarious situation: “Peter the Great’s tax legislation thus led to the final... Fri, 28 Jan 2011 09:08 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1660/the-reign-of-peter-the-great http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/374/the-1905-russian-revolution-through-the-eyes-of-vladimir-nabokov-in-speak-memory By Iulia O. Basu-Zharku - Many of the causes that determined the 1905 Russian Revolution are presented in Nabokov’s novel. One of these is industrialization, which occurred at a rapid pace: “In the early years of this century, a travel agency on Nevski Avenue displayed a three-foot-long model of an oak-brown international sleeping car.... One could make out the blue upholstery inside, the embossed leather lining of the compartment walls, their polished panels, inset mirrors, tulip-shaped reading lamps, and other maddening details. Spacious windows alternated with narrower ones... and some of these were of frosted... Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:01 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/374/the-1905-russian-revolution-through-the-eyes-of-vladimir-nabokov-in-speak-memory http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/363/the-poetry-of-yevgheny-yevtushenko By Iulia O. Basu-Zharku - Nabokov’s own family and upbringing is a testimony of this cosmopolitan life: he travels all over Europe before he is even able to realize the difference between one country or another (except for the fact that they speak different languages), he learns English even before he learns Russian, and has governesses that are foreign (English, French) and that speak only their own language. And, indeed, although this added to the social separation of the aristocracy form the rest of Russia’s population, it did have a beneficial effect on Russian culture, giving it a boost forward, in line... Mon, 17 Jan 2011 08:05 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/363/the-poetry-of-yevgheny-yevtushenko http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1258/the-blue-counterrevolution-the-first-year-of-president-viktor-yanukovych By Yevgen Sautin - The initial 100 days of Viktor Yanukovych’s presidency appeared to be a complete departure from the Yushchenko presidency. While publicly reiterating his commitment to integration with the European Union and supporting transparency, freedom of the press, and democracy, Yanukovich has also seemingly positioned Ukraine firmly under Russia’s orbit. Viktor Yanukovich’s authoritarian tendencies combined with a sudden tilt towards Russia have galvanized the divided opposition, which has accused Yanukovich of outright treason. Amid all the fears of being a puppet of the Kremlin, Yanukovych... Mon, 01 Nov 2010 12:00 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1258/the-blue-counterrevolution-the-first-year-of-president-viktor-yanukovych http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/219/ivans-transformation-and-coming-to-terms-in-leo-tolstoys-the-death-of-ivan-illyich By Michael C. Wiseman - In Leo Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Illyich, the story's protagonist--Ivan--is dead before the story begins. The first chapter concerns itself with some of Ivan’s work associates. With the exception of a posthumous cameo, Tolstoy completely omits the title character from the first chapter. He does this to show that Ivan was shaped by the flaws of his society. By displaying Ivan’s friends at a significant time, Tolstoy shows us what Ivan’s society was like, and vicariously shows the readers what kind of man Ivan was. In short, Ivan lived as a vicious bureaucrat: living life to... Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:51 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/219/ivans-transformation-and-coming-to-terms-in-leo-tolstoys-the-death-of-ivan-illyich http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/182/examining-the-radicalization-of-chechen-separatists-during-the-resistance-movement By Salvatore J. Freni - The Chechen people have endured a long history of aggression, culminating at the end of the twentieth century during which a separatist struggle against Russia began, triggering the First Chechen War in 1994. At the onset of the Second Chechen War however, it became apparent that Chechens were engaging in a different kind of warfare. In September of 1999, over 300 people were killed when Chechen terrorists destroyed apartment complexes in Moscow, Buinaksk, and Volgondosk. In 2002 and 2004, terrorists took hostages in a Moscow theater and in a middle school in Beslan, resulting in enormous massacres... Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:03 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/182/examining-the-radicalization-of-chechen-separatists-during-the-resistance-movement