A Russian Intelligence Agency Expands Its Reach

Over the past few weeks, a series of reshufflings and new appointments in the Russian government have indicated that the Federal Security Service (FSB) is broadening its influence. The moves come after the FSB faced a series of struggles, including an agency-wide purge, a possible strengthening of one of its rivals (the Interior Ministry) and an escalation of its feud with anti-FSB forces such as Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov. Russian President Vladimir Putin has long been the arbiter in the power struggle between the FSB and its competitors. However, as Russia's economic crisis increases competition among Kremlin elites, the question of whether Putin is making these concessions to the FSB against his will must be raised.