Are there political forces in Russia today that are capable of provoking tension or a crisis?

They really aren't to be seen today. The oligarchs are frightened and very cautious after the Khodorkovsky case. But there are many smaller businessmen.

We saw that in Ukraine during the Orange Revolution. They say they collected $150 million from Ukrainian businessmen for survival. Here that could easily be $2 billion from a similar milieu before the elections.

To what extent, in your view, is it unavoidable that the political regime evolves toward centralization and dedemocratization when oil prices are high? The main problem is that democracy in Russia did not become irreversible. And now certain high-placed persons can distribute state income any way they want.

They are saying more often in Russia now that economic growth can be fueled by additional income from export, on account of the money in the stabilization fund. What role can a stabilization fund play in the economic and political sense? I don't believe in stabilization funds.

Because the question immediately arises as to ... more.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.