A Reuter’s exclusive cites seven anonymous “informed sources” with access to the confidential reports of the Moscow-based Russian Institute for Strategic Studies (RISS). RISS’s evaluation of candidates Clinton and Trump could therefore provide a glimpse into Putin’s own thinking. In the 2016 race, Clinton, with her animus towards Russia, represented the liberal interventionist wing of her party and could attract Neocons from the other side. Turning to Trump, the RISS report welcomes Trump’s wish for better relations with Russia based on mutual self-interest and appreciates his lack of attention to the Ukraine crisis. (Note that RISS is focusing only on political issues and not Trump’s expansive energy policies that would hurt Russia in its pocketbook).

Source: Forbes April 24, 2017 14:26 UTC