Variations in Russian Support for Far-Right Actors

This paper analyzes variation in Russian support for far-right organizations, which has increased since the return of Vladimir Putin to the Russian presidency in 2012. Building on previous research into state sponsorship of terrorist groups and support for political movements across state borders, this study seeks to determine how a state may select which groups to sponsor or support. This paper consists of a comparative case study of Russian support for two terrorist organizations––The Base and the Russian Imperial Movement––and two political parties––the Northern League in Italy and the National Rally in France. My analysis finds that ideology is a key differentiating factor in motivating support for terrorist organizations, while propensity to succeed is a differentiating factor for political parties. This study seeks to determine how these organizations are able to operate in order to diminish the harm they are able to inflict on minority groups in their regions of operation.