Special Report: The Rise of Gazprom Inc.

Immediately after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Gazprom became Moscow's most effective tool for influencing its newly independent neighbors' policies and ingratiating itself to the West. But as former Russian President Boris Yeltsin's administration gave rise and then fell prey to the oligarchs, many Gazprom assets fell into private hands and the company became synonymous with corruption, nepotism and mismanagement even as Moscow's and Brussels' dependence upon it grew. Under President Vladimir Putin, the state began to regain assets lost under Yeltsin. Now, with Moscow again at its helm, Gazprom is working to become the world's largest energy firm. Its evolution will determine the fate of countless Russian policies, from how the oligarchs are ultimately integrated into — or purged from — the new Russian political order, to how Moscow relates to — or bullies — its neighbors.