Russia / Viqi Wagner, book editor.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 257-260) and index.

Why consider opposing viewpoints? -- Introduction -- chapter 1. What is Russia's role in international politics? -- Chapter preface -- 1. Russia is the world's next energy superpower / Fiona Hill -- 2. Russia is not the world's next energy superpower / Carol R. Saivetz -- 3. The United States should view Russia as a strategic partner / Gary Hart -- 4. The United States should not view Russia as a strategic partner / John Edwards and Jack Kemp -- 5. Russia's influence in the Middle East is growing / Ed Blanche -- 6. Russia's global influence is shrinking / Peter Zeihan -- 7. Russia's unsafe nuclear stockpile is a threat to global stability / National Intelligence Council -- 8. Russia has made some progress in securing its nuclear stockpile / Matthew Bunn and Anthony Wier -- Periodical bibliography -- chapter 2. Is Russia moving toward democracy? -- Chapter preface -- 1. Russia is moving toward democracy / Vyacheslav Nikonov -- 2. Russia is moving away from democracy / Peter Wilson -- 3. Russia is becoming a dictatorship / Orlando Figes -- 4. Russia is not becoming a democracy or a dictatorship / Stephen Kotkin -- 5. The Kremlin respects Russians' civil rights / Dmitry Medvedev -- 6. The Kremlin assassinates its critics / Michael Specter -- 7. Russia is fighting terrorism undemocratically and unsuccessfully / Nabi Abdullaev and Simon Saradzhyan -- Periodical bibliography --

chapter 3. How is Western culture influencing Russia? -- Chapter preface -- 1. Western consumer goods are improving Russians' standard of living / Steve Liesman -- 2. Western-style consumer credit is driving Russians into debt / Yasha Levine -- 3. Russians embrace Western pop culture / Viv Groskop -- 4. Russians embrace patriotic homegrown culture / Fred Weir -- 5. Westerners want to work and live in Russia / Olga Sharapova -- 6. Russians and migrant workers want to leave Russia to work and live in the West / Irina Ivakhnyuk -- Periodical bibliography -- chapter 4. What is Russia's greatest challenge? -- Chapter preface -- 1. Russia is facing population decline / Victor Yasmann -- 2. Environmental pollution is a major problem in Russia / Mark A. Smith -- 3. Russia's reliance on oil exports may lead to its downfall / Moisés Naím -- 4. Russia's relationship with the Middle East is perilous / Igor Khrestin and John Elliott -- 5. The gap between rich and poor is undermining Russian society / Luke Harding -- Periodical bibliography -- For further discussion -- Organizations to contact -- Bibliography of books -- Index.

Presents a series of essays, from varying viewpoints, on the subject of Russia.