People that used to be called oligarchs are not controlling the country any longer.
Putin transferred what was left of their assets to his KGB friends, associates, and favored oligarchs.
FORBES: Berezovsky vs. Abramovich: Insecure Oligarchs Spell Bad Russian Economy
Unlike oligarchs in emerging economies, Wall Street's financiers do not use overt bribery or blackmail.
ECONOMIST: The financial crisis and the future of regulation
Two Russian oligarchs are battling in a London civil court over the spoils of Russian privatization.
FORBES: Berezovsky vs. Abramovich: Insecure Oligarchs Spell Bad Russian Economy
During the three-month trial, the court heard details of the lifestyles of Russia's super-rich oligarchs.
The oligarchs from the old USSR account for 15% of prime London real estate by value.
Putin has been a foe to the oligarchs, but only to those who have political ambitions.
FORBES: For 2012 Russian Pres Elections, 'Big Brother' Will Be Watching
It has been widely reported that Putin resented the meddling of the oligarchs, particularly Berezovsky.
For example, you could not realistically have the money of German housewives bailing out Russian oligarchs.
And then it swept out again, stranding everyone from investment-grade companies to emerging-market oligarchs.
He tried to avoid the stock market and played games with venture capitalists and Russian oligarchs.
FORBES: The Man Responsible For Facebook's Stock Debacle Is Mark Zuckerberg
But removing the oligarchs from government altogether looks unlikely, at least in the short run.
But one lot of Magyar oligarchs has been replaced by another, who are allies of Fidesz.
BP's attempt to outplay Russian oligarchs at their own game of power politics failed.
Even oligarchs who had been successfully keeping their heads down signed the protest letter.
This is not to say that Mr Khodorkovsky or the other oligarchs are saints.
ECONOMIST: Vladimir Putin takes on democracy, the West and all-comers
Most of Russia's biggest energy companies are owned by a small group of fabulously rich oligarchs.
It is this that now worries the oligarchs so much and should worry smaller investors too.
But while Mr Mehdiev controls the interior ministry and civil servants, the oligarchs run the economy.
He said pointedly this week that he wanted the oligarchs cut down to size.
As I said earlier, the multi-faceted deal between BP, the billionaire oligarchs and Rosneft isn't dead yet.
BBC: Why BP's Russian deal collapsed - and how it might be rescued
That would hit not only Cypriot citizens, but many Russian investors and oligarchs who have sheltered fund there.
FORBES: FOCUS: European Gold Demand Firm, But Hasn't Seen A Sharp Rise On Cyprus Worries
Russian oligarchs with offshore accounts in one of their favorite Mediterranean Islands, Cyprus, just lost a close friend.
Russian oligarchs, flush with cash, have flooded the market lately, overtaking Americans as the largest group of buyers.
We've got Olympic contestants, oligarchs, ambassadors, celebrities and CEOs of some of the largest companies in the world.
The oligarchs wound up lending the fledgling Russian government money "when it was desperate for money, " she said.
Several are owned by post-Soviet oligarchs or carpetbagging Americans, and some are burdened with perilous levels of debt.
ECONOMIST: The intertwined fates of a people and their football team
It could also follow the lead of those sheikhs and oligarchs who like to buy English football clubs.
She campaigned on the slogan of bashing the oligarchs and will have to make an example of some.
Oligarchs may indeed create value when they think their property rights are secure.
FORBES: Berezovsky vs. Abramovich: Insecure Oligarchs Spell Bad Russian Economy
应用推荐