Putin’s Matryoshka Plays

Abstract

The matryoshka doll is the most famous Russian souvenir. Considered a phenomenon in world culture, it is a puzzle wrapped inside an enigma, the soul of Russia. President Vladimir Putin’s nomination of little-known Viktor Zubkov as acting prime minister on 12 September 2007, after dismissing his government, has confounded many. Like the matryoshka puzzle, questions arise on how and through whom Putin will continue wielding power after stepping down, and what this could mean for Asia.