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The North Caucasus remains one of the toughest challenges facing Russia today and the problems that have accumulated there over the past decades require an equally long and serious strategic approach to resolve.
At the 2010 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, President Medvedev appealed to investors to put their money into the Russian economy. However, corruption continues to kill investor interest in Russia.
This year, President Medvedev has broken with tradition and begun selecting some lesser-known candidates for gubernatorial posts, to the detriment of several political heavyweights.
The Russian government has been stepping up efforts to cancel the direct election of mayors following the cancellation of direct gubernatorial elections in 2004.
United Russia is preparing for the October regional elections, its first serious test run prior to the State Duma elections in 2011, and the result of these preparations may see the party changed for the better.
Putin's new strategic plan on the social and economic development of Russia's regions is neither an analysis of their problems nor a proposal for solving them. A widespread discussion is needed to identify and address the complex problems facing the country and its regions.
Rather than addressing the reasons why their initiatives against terrorism have not been effective, the Russian authorities have focused on trying to calm the public with harsh but empty rhetoric.
The visa facilitation agreements with the EU have made getting visas easier and cheaper, but they have not significantly diminished the amount of time it takes, nor have they simplified procedures for obtaining long-term multi-entry visas.
Ending the threat of violence from the rebel groups in the North Caucasus requires long-term social, economic, and political actions, not a security clampdown which will only fuel further hatred and incite more people to join the rebel cause.
Despite improvements in the March elections, the Kremlin maintains close control over the political process, resulting in elections that were far from truly free and fair.
