There have been few times before when there was such a thirst for knowledge and guidance about Russia. In the year when Russia charied the G8 and the oil price rocketed Russia back to super-power status there were still riddles to be solved about Russia and where it is going.

The shutting off of pipelines to the Ukraine started off 2006 which was to become a remarkable year. In one move, the Russian government claiming it was motivated only by normal market economics, the rest of Western Europe woke up to the issue of energy security. Whether this was another law of unintended consequences or part of some Machiavellian plan has still to be resolved, but it has certainly put Russia back in the headlines.

For even the expert Russia watchers there is a need for help in navigating the currents alive in Russian politics today. That is why this collection of essays is so important. Here a number of perceptive people have turned their minds to describing what is going on – and – more importantly, have combined to give us some conclusions.

A multifaceted approach has always been necessary in understanding this great country and its neighbours. Kremlin watching was once a profession all of its own. Nowadays democratic Russia has still many facets which need explanation and interpretation. It is a fact that in today's complicated world to be ignorant of Russia is to be without a key ingredient in understanding what is happening to our lives.