Dissent Shakes the Foundation of the Kremlin's Power

Governing the vast Russian territory is no small feat. To ensure their rule over the country's roughly 17.1 million-square kilometer (6.6 million-square mile) expanse, Russia's leaders have traditionally relied on institutions -- the church, schools, regional governments and the security forces -- to reinforce the Kremlin line. President Vladimir Putin consolidated the country's establishments when he first came to power to buttress his administration's control. But the recent spate of protests across Russia has started to chip away at its tried-and-true social pillars, raising questions over how much longer the government can maintain its tight grip on power....