A nation must think before it acts.
Although still little known in the West, Aleksandr Rutskoi is one of the most influential figures in today’s Russian politics. Currently the vice-president of Russia, Rutskoi is emerging from the shadow of President Boris Yeltsin to become a political force in his own right. Two years after first being elected to parliament, he is ranked one of the five most popular political figures in Russia (and by far the most popular among the military). In an opinion poll released in Summer 192, Rutskoi nudged past Boris Yeltsin in public trust. Indeed, he emerged as the only politician with an overall positive rating among all key social and territorial groups. With his popularity and influence growing, it is important for Western policy makers to understand this man’s political views and allegiances.