The soccer fiesta in Russia moves into its second week, but the noisy celebrations could not entirely hide the deepening discontent caused by the tightening of economic and social policies (see EDM, June 18 , 21 ). The government has obviously decided that the World Cup opens a perfect window for executing unpopular cuts in social benefits necessitated by the sustained contraction of state revenues. The cheerful atmosphere marks a big change from the now-habitual gloom of Russia as the “besieged fortress,” which makes the appearance of street protests feel almost inappropriate ( Moscow Echo , June 22). This injection of joy may, however, reinforce Russian society’s longing for a departure from the stability of stagnation: as many as 57 percent of Russians now say they want to see profound changes in state policies ( Levada.ru , June 19). Vladimir Putin has just started his new presidential […]