ASSESSMENTS

Russia Rethinks How It Handles Terrorism

Nov 20, 2015 | 21:44 GMT

Russia Rethinks How It Handles Terrorism
Russian lawmakers at a joint meeting of the two chambers of Russia's legislature in Moscow on Nov. 20.

(VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty Images)

Summary

Russia's State Duma, the lower house of Russia's Federal Assembly, and its Federal Council held an extraordinary session Nov. 20 to discuss issues related to terrorism. It is rare for both chambers to come together in session, let alone for a session to run into the night. The parliamentary meeting follows the release of a new poll showing that 65 percent of Russians fear that the Islamic State will carry out a terrorist attack inside Russia in 2016 — a number up from 48 percent last month.

Russia's increased focus on security and fighting terrorism will likely expand the powers of the security services, as proposed by Duma speaker Valentina Matviyenko. This raises the possibility of a struggle between the various security arms over those expanded powers into the coming year. If the Federal Security Service (FSB) can leverage the perceived threat of domestic terrorism — the prevalent fear in Russia — it could help boost the agency and its capabilities.

Russia's State Duma, the lower house of Russia's Federal Assembly, and its Federal Council held an extraordinary session Nov. 20 to discuss issues related to terrorism. It is rare for both chambers to come together in session, let alone for a session to run into the night. Russia's increased focus on security and fighting terrorism will likely expand the powers of the security services, as proposed by Duma speaker Valentina Matviyenko. This raises the possibility of a struggle between the various security arms over those expanded powers into the coming year. If the Federal Security Service (FSB) can leverage the perceived threat of domestic terrorism -- the prevalent fear in Russia -- it could help boost the agency and its capabilities....

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