Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? - A qualitative analysis of Russian strategic decision making

Abstract: The first decades of the 21st century have not been lined with the optimism that surged after the fall of the Soviet Union. Instead of pursuing a path of liberalization, Russia has relapsed to authoritarian rule and its view of the west not as an ally, but as an adversary. The war in Georgia, annexation of Crimea and the invasion of eastern Ukraine shows that Russia is once again willing to use military force to pursue its own objectives. There are contradictions though, as Russia parallel to its military aggressions is trying to maintain its interdependence with Europe. Multi-billion Euro pipelines have been built to ensure Russo-European gas trade, generating crucial income to the Russian Federation. By using models originally designed to explain the Cuban missile crisis, this thesis examines Russian decision making all the way from an inter-state level down to the shadowy corners of the Kremlin. The conclusions will show that there is a small contingent of power brokers lining their pockets at the expense of the Russian people. The contradictory behaviour appears, thus, to be echoes of the interests of Putin´s inner circle clashing with the interests of the Russian Federation. Word count: 9599