%0 Journal Article
%T External forces and Russian foreign policy: Simulation of identity narratives inside Putin¡¯s regime
%A Linas Kojala
%A Tomas Janeli¨±nas
%J International Journal
%@ 2052-465X
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/0020702019854003
%X This article analyzes the impact of external factors on Russia¡¯s foreign policy. Specifically, it identifies patterns in Russia¡¯s foreign policy reactions to two kinds of developments: changes in US foreign policy, and fluctuating global oil prices affecting Russia¡¯s economy. Our hypothesis is that US foreign policy, as it is perceived by Putin¡¯s regime, is the key determinant of the Kremlin¡¯s reactions, while the changes in economic trends, affected by oil price, influence the regime¡¯s preference to choose more confrontational or more defensive ways of action. As the analysis shows, different versions of national identity narratives can be constructed within Putin¡¯s regime: it acts as a closed political system that can produce different foreign policy reactions and even ideological narratives without major changes in the governing elite
%K Russia
%K foreign policy
%K identity
%K oil prices
%K US
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0020702019854003