Professor Stuart Harris
Department of International Relations, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies
Dr Robert F. Miller
Communist Systems Transformation Project, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies
Dr Kirill Nourzhanov
Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, Faculty of Arts
Moderated by Professor Robert Bowker, Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies
Wednesday 6 May, 6-8pm
The Tank, Haydon-Allen Lecture Theatre, Building 23, ANU
This lecture is free and open to the public. Enquiries: T: 6125 2609 E: ir.society@anu.edu.au
Speaking shortly after his election as President of the Russian Federation in 2008, Dmitry Medvedev highlighted his priorities in office: to maintain economic stability, to strengthen freedoms, to promote social programs, and to ensure that Russia sustains its position in the world. A year later, Medvedev’s record in delivering on these promises is coming under intense scrutiny.
What does Russian resurgence actually mean? How well has Russia ridden out the global financial storm? Is authoritarian rule in Russia on the wax or on the wane? What are Moscow’s foreign policy objectives in dealing with the West, Asia-Pacific, and former Soviet republics such as Georgia and Ukraine? Does Russian energy imperialism exist, or is it a product of Cold War-like paranoia? Who controls the Kremlin – Medvedev or Putin? The answers to these, and other questions, will be discussed to coincide with the anniversary of Medvedev’s inauguration as the President.
Professor Stuart Harris has served as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Director of the ANU Centre for Resources and Environmental Studies before joining the Department of International Relations. His research interests include international energy policies.
Dr Robert F. Miller gained his PhD from Harvard University and was one of the pioneers of Soviet and Russian studies at the ANU. His area of expertise incorporates Russian foreign relations and geostrategy.
Dr Kirill Nourzhanov has an MA from Moscow State University and a PhD from ANU. He is a Senior Lecturer in Russian and Eurasian Politics, specialising in internal political dynamics in the former USSR.