Russian Organized Crime, U. S. Security and Russian Democracy

Russian organized crime threatens important United States interests in the development of Russian democracy. Russian criminals are taking advantage of the transition from communism to democracy. They are undermining Russian social and economic development and the Russian people's faith in democracy. Russian organized crime uses sophisticated operations to influence the public and make money. Russian criminals have taken advantage of the Russian public's confusion concerning individual rights and rights to private property. The Russian government's bureaucratic turmoil encourages organized crime. Russian organized crime's history, and its relationship with the former ruling Communist party, have enabled it to mobilize against Russian democracy.