A decade ago Russia struggled to be a force on the world stage. But now, fueled by vast petroleum reserves, the former Communist nation has become an economic juggernaut, unafraid to flex its muscles. But as its political clout has grown, Russia seems less committed to democracy and has drifted closer to its authoritarian past. We’ll look at Russia’s changing landscape, its larger role in the international community, and the country’s increasingly bumpy relationship with the United States.
