Events Detail

U.S.-Russian Relations

Stagnation or Modernization?

May 9, 2011

12:00 - 3:30 PM

                Lev Ponomarev

As Russian President Dmitri Medvedev moves toward the end of his first term of office, what awaits Russia and U.S.-Russian relations? Medvedev has spoken of the need to modernize the Russian economy, attract foreign investment, implement institutional reforms, and create Russia's own version of Silicon Valley. At the same time, his political mentor, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, has warned against "unjustified liberal experiments" and has proceeded with consolidation of major industries in the State's hands. Putin's massive clout remains largely unchallenged.

Medvedev has criticized Russia's "legal nihilism" and called for the restoration of the rule of law. However, the second conviction of former Yukos Oil Chairman Mikhail Khodorkovsky on what are widely acknowledged to be absurd charges; the apparently deliberate killing of Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who exposed official corruption; and the failure to solve the murders of prominent journalists and human rights activists—all point to a society that lacks even elementary rule of law. 
 

Welcome and Opening Remarks
David Satter, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

Keynote Address
Lev Ponomarev, President for Human Rights (Moscow) and a leading Russian human rights activist
12:15-12:45

Russian Domestic Developments: Stagnation or Modernization? A View from Moscow

Panel I, 12:45 - 2:00
Russia's Foreign Policy and Domestic Politics: What Kind of Partner for the U.S.?

Ilan Berman, Vice President, American Foreign Policy Council
Stephen Blank, Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College
David Satter, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute
Ariel Cohen (moderator), Senior Research Fellow, Heritage Foundation

Panel II, 2:15-3:30
Russia's Faltering Rule of Law and Human Rights: Implications for U.S.-Russian Relations

Ariel Cohen, Senior Research Fellow, Heritage Foundation
Pavel Ivlev, Director, Institute of Modern Russia
Donald Jensen, Senior Fellow, Center for Transatlantic Relations
William Pomeranz, Deputy Director, Kennan Institute, The Woodrow Wilson Center
David Satter (moderator), Hudson Institute 

Download a summary of this conference here.

Betsy and Walter Stern Conference Center

Hudson Institute

1015 15th Street, NW

Sixth Floor

Washington, DC 20005