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APRIL 5, 2008 - Revisiting Russia
Please
join BIAHC at the Bainbridge Public Library (1270 Madison Ave. N.) on
Saturday, April 5, from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. for coffee, refreshments, a
30-minute video, and a Great Decisions community discussion on this
timely issue.
Great Decisions is a nation-wide program of the Foreign Policy Association to broaden public involvement with the most important foreign policy issues facing the United States.
During his two terms as president, Vladimir Putin attempted to remake Russia into a major, independent world power. Many of his recent policies, however, have provoked concern in the U.S. and Europe. Some Russians fear that democracy and liberty are suffering at the altar of a capitalization and rapid privatization that has resulted in great wealth for some citizens but, under Putin's leadership, an increasingly authoritarian government. What does all of this mean for Russia's relationship with the West? Will anything change under the new president and Putin protégée, Dmitri Medvedev?
The discussion will be moderated by Allison Dvaladze, Educational Outreach Coordinator at the Ellison Center for Russian, East European, and Central Asian Studies at the U.W. Jackson School of International Studies.
While enjoying
coffee and pastries, participants first view a 30-minute Foreign Policy
Association DVD of a conversation between two experts on the topic to
be discussed. To assist with advance preparation, please review the
relevant chapter of the Great Decisions briefing book, which is
available at the Bainbridge Public Library. Copies can also be
purchased from BIAHC for $15.
THE 2008 DISCUSSION TOPICS ARE:
- Talking to Our Enemies – Feb. 9
- Latin America: Shift to the Left? - Feb. 23
- European Union at 50 – Mar. 8
- U.S. - China Trade Policy – Mar. 22
- Russia - April 5
- Private Philanthropy - April 19
- U.S. Defense & Security Policy - May 3
- Iraq End-Game - May 17
Please contact BIAHC at
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to be added to the Great Decisions email list for updates on the topic schedule and to receive topic background information. More information about Great Decisions at the Library is here >>
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Suggested background readings for Revisiting Russia (April 5):
The Putin Generation. Young Russians today are often worldly, optimistic about their country's future, and enthusiastic about a democracy they see as having more to do with higher living standards than checks and balances or freedom of speech. This three-part series profiles the careers and outlooks of three young Muscovites whose lives attest to the radical political and economic shifts that have taken place over the past decade in Russia. Christian Science Monitor, February 26, 27, 28, 2008. www.csmonitor.com
Across Putin's Russia. A five-part multimedia slideshow by Financial Times correspondent Neil Buckley who traveled through eastern Russia to discover why President Vladimir Putin, increasingly feared and distrusted abroad, enjoys rising popularity at home. Financial Times, Feb. 17, 2008. www.ft.com
BBC: Putin Project. A BBC World Service special feature on Russian President Vladimir Putin's administration and how he has built widespread support among Russians for his policies and his allies. www.bbc.co.uk
Vladimir Putin: Tsar of the New Russia. Time Person of the Year. Dec. 31. 2007. www.time.com
Russia’s Knockoff Democracy. By Clifford J. Levy. The New York Times. Dec. 16, 2007. www.nytimes.com
Smoke and Mirrors. As Vladimir Putin stands aside (sort of), how much has he to do with Russia's booming economy—and how long can it last? The Economist, Feb. 28, 2008. www.economist.com
Russia's Uneasy Handover. The new Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, faces an unpalatable legacy. The Economist, Feb. 28, 2008. www.economist.com
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