Edited by Aslund (Peterson Institute for International Economics, US), Guriev (New Economic School, Russia), and Kuchins (Center for Strategic and International Studies, US), this volume is the second to come out of the Russia Balance Sheet project, which aims to provide Washington policymakers with a clear understanding of Russia's current economic and foreign policy orientations and dilemmas. Unlike the first volume, which was eponymously named The Russia Balance Sheet and consisted of a unitary treatment, this work consists of 13 essays written by American and Russian experts with the intention of providing further insight, particularly in light of Russia's recent experience with the global economic crisis. Papers address challenges facing the Russian economy, overall Russian politics, federalism, corruption and the rule of law, the role of high-technology industries, climate change and the role of energy efficiency, Gazprom, military reform, overall foreign policy, foreign economic policy, post-Soviet issues, and US-Russia relations and mismatched strategic outlooks. Annotation 2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
