Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, some observers opined that Russia would have the opportunity to be freed from the grip of authoritarianism that prevailed under communist rule. Yet recent years have seen media censorship on the rise and increased repression of dissident groups. These developments have dampened that initial enthusiasm as Russia seems to slip further into authoritarian rule. How do the Russian media and the government’s censorship of reporters shape the fate of the country? Will the styles of populism and nationalism embraced by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump improve relations between Russia and the United States or set the countries on a course for confrontation?
