LECTURE SERIES: RUSSIA
Between Realpolitik and Propaganda: Assessing Russia’s Global Reach

“REVERSE ENGINEERING”
Russia and the West

Ivan Krastev, lecturer
Political scientist, Chairman of the Centre for Liberal Strategies in Sofia and Permanent Fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna

Respondents:
Vladimir VORONKOV (tbc)
Permanent Representative to United Nations (Vienna),
UNIDO and CTBTO, Resident Representative to IAEA
Gerhard Mangott
Department of Political Science
University of Innsbruck -International Security Research Group (ISRG)

Moderator:
Tessa Szyszkowitz, foreign policy desk profil

In the last years Russian foreign policy has become increasingly motivated by aggressive isolationism. The relations between Moscow and the West are at their lowest point since the 1980s. Could we expect a change? What are the sources of Russia’s new foreign policy? Are Russia’s moves dominated mainly by legitimate geopolitical concerns or are the Kremlin’s moves primarily driven by the domestic political concerns and the fears for the survival of Putin’s political regime? Is Russia’s military involvement in Syria an opportunity for a more cooperative relationship between Russia and the EU or is the recent confrontation between Russia and Turkey a sign for troubles to come?

In Cooperation with IWM/Institue for Human Sciences

A New International Balance of Power as the Guarantee of Stability
Report of the Valdai International Discussion Club

“Moving away from the illusions of the 20th century, the policy objective today is the prevention of hell on earth, rather than the creation of paradise. Recent military, political and economic crises show that maintaining stability is no easy task, even in traditionally calm regions, such as Europe and North America. The destructive nature of global experiments — the military-political missions of Communism, Liberalism, the Caliphate, or any other dogmatic ideologies— has become evident.
Competition between the major powers, provocative action by medium-sized and minor countries, and cross-border challenges remain the main sources of global threats. They require thought-out and agreed positions. However, the world powers exist and develop in extremely different conditions. Although we live in the era of global communications, the powers fail to hear and understand each other. This entails a risk that countries’ interests will be inadequately understood and that threats to mutual security will arise. Attempts to build relations on ideological, rather than pragmatic foundations invariably lead to a dead-end of violent escalation. Foreign policy loses its way and wars are the result.” (Valdai Report)

Fyodor Lukyanov, Research Director of the International Valdai Club, Editor-in-Chief of Russia in Global Affairs and Chairman of the Presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defence Policy

Respondent: Wolfgang Petritsch, Ambassador, former High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Member of the Board of the Kreisky Forum

Moderation: Dessy Gavrilova, Founder and Chairwoman, The Red House – Center for Culture and Debate; Founder and Coordinator, The European Network of Houses for Debate „Time to Talk“