ABSTRACT
Russia is the largest state in the world, almost twice the size of the USA and, from Moscow to the Bering Strait. In December 1991, the Soviet Union was dissolved and the Russian Federation claimed the status of legal successor. Thus, for the first time since 1922, there was an independent Russian state. Through glasnost and perestroika, Mikhail Gorbachev advocated for government openness and restructuring respectively. Until his resignation on the eve of the millennium, the political system was dominated by the president, Boris Yeltsin. Since 1991, policies have been aimed at rapid marketisation and privatisation, corruption and burgeoning crime. Internally, Chechnya has dominated events but there were other problems in the North Caucasus, notably Dagestan. The North Caucasus is a major route way and is deeply involved in the development of petroleum in the Caspian Sea Basin. Abroad, relations with Japan improves Japanese support for Russia to become a full member of the G7 (Group of Seven) nations.
