The nature of the Russian state and the economy it superintends raise more than academic questions, for if we understand the nature of the state and its subordinated economy, we can then form an accurate vision of what Russia's overall policy and strategy will be. We may say, euphemistically, that the beginning of wisdom in understanding Russian policy and strategy is to grasp the answers to key questions concerning the nature of its political and economic processes. In line with that approach to understanding Russia, the Strategic Studies Institute (SSI) is pleased to present the first volume of papers from its annual conference on Russia conducted on September 26-27, 2011. The resulting papers go straight to the heart of the most important questions concerning the nature of the state and the possibilities for its economic reform.In the wake of Vladimir Putin's return to the presidency of Russia, those are, indeed, the crucial categories of questions we must answer. SSI's annual conference on Russia represents the institute's efforts, together with those of a distinguished array of other U.S., European, and Russian scholars, to answer the questions and discern the trajectory of Russian developments as they occur. We do so in the belief that this knowledge is not only valuable in its own right, but that it also provides a valuable resource for experts on Russia, interested laymen and, most of all, policymakers who must formulate policies dealing with and/or affecting Russia, a country that deliberately tries to remain opaque to foreign observers despite its many changes. Accordingly, we hope that the papers presented here and in subsequent volumes will both enlighten and edify readers and stimulate the effort to understand and deal with one of the most important actors in international affairs today.1. Russia's Choice: Change or Degradation? * 2. The Impossibility of Russian Economic Reform: Waiting for Godot * 3. Reform of the Russian Military and Security Apparatus: An Investigator's Perspective