Lesson 7: Oil and Oligarchy in Putin’s Russia
February 11, 2026
Review:
- Europe and the EU
- Schedule
- Mon Feb 16 – Russia part 2
- Wed Feb 18 – Review for Exam 1
- Mon Feb 23 – Exam 1
Presentation:
- Russia and Central Asia Geography
- Map Quiz Game
- Geopolitical Constraints (George Friedman)
- Oil & Gas Contribution to Russian Economy
- Oil Prices
- Putin elected President in 2000
- Until 2014-15 oil prices had gone up steadily, except during the 2008-2009 great recession
- Putin’s Early Career
- KGB Agent trained to oppose the US during Cold War
- Stationed in East Germany (Dresden)
- Front row seats for collapse of the Berlin Wall + USSR
- Blames USA for the Soviet Union’s downfall
- Ascent to Presidency
- Deputy Mayor of St. Petersburg
- Head of FSB (successor to KGB)
- Prime Minister under Boris Yeltsin
- Moscow Apartment Bombings (see Poisoned by Polonium: The Litvinenko File)
- “Retaliation” against Chechnya
- Crackdown and Consolidation of Power
- Control of television, media
- Opposition politicians, activists, journalists
- Some jailed, some go into exile, some are killed
- Alexei Navalny
- Russian Oligarchy
- Organized Crime power structure
- Pay “tribute” to power brokers above you
- Pueblo connection: EVRAZ owner Roman Abromovich (Forbes)
Assignment:
- Watch Sphere of Influence: Russia’s Foreign Policy (25 min)
- Watch Ukraine Panel Discussion
- Recommended (Optional): Chernobyl (HBO)
