Visiting Fellow
Authoritarian regimes, Russian elites and bureaucracy, Russian government data policies, policymaking processes in non-democratic contexts
English, Russian
Mikhail Komin is a visiting fellow with the Wider Europe programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations.
Prior to joining ECFR, he was a senior expert at the Moscow-based Center for Strategic Research, working on a project to develop a new socio-economic strategy for Russia. In 2019, he joined the Center for Advanced Governance, a think-tank conducting research on Russian economic, social, and digital policies and advocating for good governance, transparency, and open data. He was also a member of the Survey Russian Elites advisory board (2018-2021) by Hamilton College in the US.
Komin regularly provides analytical comments for media outlets such as TVRain, Forbes, Carnegie, Novaya Gazeta, and Radio Liberty. Since 2022, Mikhail has been an editor at Novaya Gazeta Europe. He holds a postgraduate degree in political science from Higher School of Economics St. Petersburg.
The Kremlin has embraced a narrative that deeply resonates with the global south: that the Western world order is unjust, positioning Russia as its main challenger. However, translating this narrative into concrete actions has been challenging for Putin’s regime
When it comes to elections, Vladimir Putin is not one for surprises. But his love for certainty may be the regime’s undoing – without some remnant of electoral competition, the Kremlin cannot address Russian resentment until its out on the streets
Mark Leonard welcome Sasha Gabuev and Mikhail Komin to discuss how Russia’s involvement in international organisations is impacting its strategic regional interests
This webinar will explore the role of ideology in the day-to-day management of the Russian political regime
The Kremlin is creating a new, more unified ideology, which it is disseminating among the Russian population and using to attract global south countries to a new conservative alliance
In this final episode, we discuss how the war has transformed Russian society and political culture, and outline possible scenarios for its medium to long term political trajectory
Vladimir Putin’s ‘historic’ election result demonstrates his absolute control over the administrative system, but could also encourage him to make big political mistakes
The biggest threat to Vladimir Putin’s strongman rule may just come from women – especially when they base their activism on the very ‘traditional values’ he purports to venerate
This podcast explores deeper trends beneath the surface of Russia’s daily politics. In this episode, we dive deeper into Russia’s economy during the war on Ukraine
How do Russian officials “coexist” with the war nearly two years after the invasion? How has the bureaucratic system adapted to the requirements of the war?…
The Kremlin is creating a new, more unified ideology, which it is disseminating among the Russian population and using to attract global south countries to a new conservative alliance
The Kremlin has embraced a narrative that deeply resonates with the global south: that the Western world order is unjust, positioning Russia as its main challenger. However, translating this narrative into concrete actions has been challenging for Putin’s regime
When it comes to elections, Vladimir Putin is not one for surprises. But his love for certainty may be the regime’s undoing – without some remnant of electoral competition, the Kremlin cannot address Russian resentment until its out on the streets
Vladimir Putin’s ‘historic’ election result demonstrates his absolute control over the administrative system, but could also encourage him to make big political mistakes
The biggest threat to Vladimir Putin’s strongman rule may just come from women – especially when they base their activism on the very ‘traditional values’ he purports to venerate
Russian officials are becoming increasingly vocal about their support for the war in Ukraine. This is likely to continue unless the EU ramps up personal sanctions against such individuals
The ruling United Russia party had an unsurprising victory in Russia’s regional elections, but the means the Kremlin used to achieve this reveal how electoral success may be secured in the future
The rise of private military companies remains a concern for Russian governing elites, but the Wagner mutiny has consolidated their support for the Putin regime
Mark Leonard welcome Sasha Gabuev and Mikhail Komin to discuss how Russia’s involvement in international organisations is impacting its strategic regional interests
In this final episode, we discuss how the war has transformed Russian society and political culture, and outline possible scenarios for its medium to long term political trajectory
This podcast explores deeper trends beneath the surface of Russia’s daily politics. In this episode, we dive deeper into Russia’s economy during the war on Ukraine
How do Russian officials “coexist” with the war nearly two years after the invasion? How has the bureaucratic system adapted to the requirements of the war?…
On 1 September, Russian high schools transitioned to new “patriotic” history textbooks authored by one of Russia’s staunchest conservatives, former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky. How…
This webinar will explore the role of ideology in the day-to-day management of the Russian political regime
Mikhail Komin on how Putin perpetuates his ideology
Mikhael Komin on Putin’s reckoning with the Russian army
Mikhail Komin on the latest developments in European politics, from a Russian perspective
