As Vladimir Putin prepares to return to the presidency in the 2012 elections, the prospects for Russia s future are unclear. Russia in 2020 brings together leading experts to analyze the possible scenarios for Russia s development in the next decade and the risks that lie ahead. Despite Putin s imminent return, the authors believe that the so-called Putin Era is over. This does not mean that Putin will soon give up power, but the political and economic system he created is incapable of dealing with Russia s rapidly changing conditions. Crises are likely unavoidable unless Russia changes and modernizes.