The Kremlin Passes New Internet Restrictions

This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin is signing new laws that will tighten the state's control over the Internet, social media, bloggers and the transmission of electronic data across Russian borders. This new crackdown has multiple purposes. The government wants to control the messages inside Russia to limit dissidence. Though the Kremlin is riding a powerful wave of popularity after the annexation of Crimea, there is still a legitimate concern about future stability in the country, especially social and political stability. Moreover, the Kremlin wants to manage foreign access to information coming into and out of Russia. Overall, the government is continuing to isolate the country and its people from the rest of the world as tensions with the West remain high and as the United States continues to regard Russia and Putin as political pariahs.