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When it comes to Russian politics, public discussion tends to zero in on either Russia\\u2019s unique history and culture or the omnipotence of Vladimir Putin, who has held positions of power in the country since 1999. But based on over 30 years of research and first-hand experience, scholar Timothy Frye\\u2019s latest book,\\xa0Weak Strongman,\\xa0suggests that Russian politics extend far beyond the authority of Putin.

Thanks to decades of experiences that offer a rare glimpse into the many complexities of Russian politics, Frye brought forth a unique understanding of what works and what doesn\\u2019t in Russia. He has worked as an \\u201cinformation warrior\\u201d for the U.S. government in the Soviet Union, consulted for the Russian Securities and Exchange Commission in the 1990s, bore witness to Russia\\u2019s response to the collapse of the Twin Towers in 2001, and has co-headed a research institute at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow since 2011.

In addition to his experiences and research, Frye also drew from a largely untapped body of scholarly work that points to how Russia, while powerful, is not unique; it\\u2019s one of many autocracies across the globe, and recognizing this illuminates the inherent limits to Putin\\u2019s power. Powerful as Putin\\u2019s leadership might appear, Weak Strongman challenged the conventional wisdom and assumptions about Russia and reframed a narrative that leads to a richer picture of contemporary Russian politics.

Timothy Frye\\xa0writes and teaches about the politics of corruption, autocracy, and economic development usually with a focus on Russia and Eurasia.\\xa0He is the Marshall D. Shulman Professor of Post-Soviet Foreign Policy at Columbia University and a research director at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow. His books include\\xa0Property Rights and Property Wrongs: How Power, Institutions, and Norms Shape Economic Conflict in Russia\\xa0and\\xa0Building States and Markets after Communism: The Perils of Polarized Democracy.

Michael Rawding\\xa0is the Founding Partner of GeoFusion, a cross-border advisory firm that helps U.S. & European technology companies. He has served as the President of Microsoft Greater China, Microsoft Japan, and Microsoft Asia. Rawding is currently an Executive Committee Member of the Board at the Washington State China Relations Council, a member of the National Committee on U.S. China Relations, and an Executive Committee Member of the Microsoft Alumni Network. He previously served on the Board of Governors at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and as a Board Member of Town Hall Seattle.

Buy the Book: Weak Strongman: The Limits of Power in Putin\'s Russia (Hardcover)\\xa0from Elliott Bay Books

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