Tracing the policy movements of Presidential power-handler Vladislav Surkov is rather like witnessing a three-point turn in a dark alley - as a piece in the Power Vertical points out today.  Whilst transparency is the last thing once can expect from the Kremlin's shadowy ideologue, his moves of late are dizzying analysts.  Brian Whitmore identifies some of Surkov's recent twists - from the motives for his alleged involvement in the Duma walkout - to the matter of his oscillating stance on liberalizing political structures to aid economic development.Whitmore quotes from a Stratfor.com analysis, which suggests that Surkov's maneuvring is underpinned by a familiar motive: power rivalry.  In a recently published four-part series titled "The Kremlin Wars," Stratfor.com offers up one possible answer.According to Stratfor, the Kremlin is divided into two roughly ...

Reuters reports that next week Vladimir Putin will hold a meeting with global oil giants on how to exploit gas reserves on the Arctic Yamal peninsula.  Natural Resources Minister Yuri Trutnev has told Reuters that Russia will consider easing laws regulating foreign participation in offshore energy projects, which had been restricted during the 2002-July 2008 boom in oil prices.  Rosneft has apparently said that it will not be able to maintain the high level of oil exports that has seen Russia overtake Saudi Arabia as the world's biggest oil producer, as the domestic market will become more alluring to oil producers.  The President of OPEC has reportedly argued that the cartel must improve cooperation with Russia in order to keep prices stable.  Bulgaria has agreed to continue preparations for the Russian-backed Belene nuclear plant, South Stream and ...

The EU Ambassador to Russia, Marc Franco, has suggested that Russia will remain a 'third world economy' unless the rule of law and democracy are re-enforced.  Whilst Russia is hoping that higher taxes from the energy sector will help reduce budget deficit, it is also considering borrowing $18 billion abroad in 2010.  According to Reuters, the total borrowed domestically and abroad next year may amount to $52 billion.  Vladimir Putin has vowed to protect the Russian steel industry, possibly through rendering state firms' purchases of their products compulsory.  VTB has taken control of 1,200 hectares of prime real estate in lieu of repayment for a loan to businessman Sergei Pugachev.  Russia is planning to revise its bankruptcy laws to protect the integrity of companies in the event of default.  Natural Resources Minister Yuri Trutnev has suggested ...