Kremlinology

American  

[krem-li-nol-uh-jee] / ˌkrɛm lɪˈnɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the study of the government of the former Soviet Union, especially the study of those factors governing its foreign affairs.

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Kremlinology British  

/ ˌkrɛmlɪnˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. (formerly) the study and analysis of the policies and practices of the Soviet government

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Other Word Forms

• Kremlinologist noun

Etymology

Origin of Kremlinology

First recorded in 1955–60; Kremlin + -o- + -logy

Example Sentences

“Pekingology,” as this Chinese analog of Kremlinology is known, often involves poring over official speeches, documents and state-media coverage in a bid to divine insights from language, behavior and deviations from the norm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 15, 2026

Western spy agencies make it their business to study the Saudi equivalent of Kremlinology – working out who will be the next king.

From BBC • Aug. 19, 2024

“Deconstructing Saudi decision-making right now is like Kremlinology on steroids,” said Hussein Ibish, a scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

From New York Times • Oct. 25, 2022

Tracking Pelosi and who is in her inner orbit involves a bit of Kremlinology.

From Fox News • Oct. 7, 2019

Mount Pleasant residents engage in Kremlinology based on overheard conversations at local bars and which contractors are seen coming and going from the site, which is heavily patrolled by private security.

From The Verge • Apr. 10, 2019