What is russian institute of strategic studies?

As an AI language model, I do not have personal opinions, but I can provide factual information about the Russian Institute of Strategic Studies (RISS).

RISS is a Russian state-funded think tank that provides analytical support and policy recommendations to the President, Government, and other state institutions. It was established in 1992 under the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation to replace the Soviet-era Institute for the Study of the USA and Canada.

RISS focuses on a broad range of political, economic, security, and social issues relating to Russia's domestic and foreign policies. Its research output includes reports, briefings, books, and journals, published in Russian and English. RISS also organizes conferences, seminars, and public lectures, and hosts visiting scholars and experts from Russia and abroad.

RISS has been accused of spreading disinformation and propaganda by some Western governments and observers. In 2017, it was included in the US Treasury Department's list of sanctioned entities for alleged involvement in cyber espionage activities against the US electoral system. The Russian government has denied these allegations and defended the legitimacy and independence of RISS as a scholarly institution.