A year ago, the term “kleptocracy” was relatively obscure and uncommon. Today it is a regular feature in daily press coverage, policy debate, and scholarly research.
Still missing, however, is a complete and honest conversation about the role of the West as an enabler of such grand corruption. Though we have begun to examine and quantify the systematic thievery of certain foreign leaders, we have so far sidestepped some of the hardest questions: How is it that a significant amount of the stolen money winds up in Western bank accounts? What does that money finance? Who else – besides the kleptocrats themselves – does it benefit? And how do the citizens of victimized countries now perceive the West as we simultaneously rail against and (some of us, at least) do profitable business with their victimizers?
For a closer, unflinching look at these crucial questions, Hudson Institute’s Kleptocracy Initiative was pleased to welcome the creators and cast of From Russia With Cash, a new British documentary showcasing the role of UK real estate agents in the purchase of London properties with corruptly obtained foreign funds. Our December 14 panel featured British author and journalist Ben Judah, Ukrainian investigative journalist Natalie Sedletska, and London-based anti-corruption activist Roman Borisovich. The event was moderated by Karen Dawisha, professor and director of Miami University’s Havighurst Center for Russian and Post-Soviet Studies, and author of Putin’s Kleptocracy: Who Owns Russia?
Join Hudson Institute for a conference with leaders from industry, government, academia, and defense to discuss the latest developments in the US-China AI competition.
Join House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (AL-03) for a fireside discussion with Senior Fellow Nadia Schadlow on Congress’s role in revitalizing America’s defense industrial base.
Please join Hudson Institute for a special address on the current state-of-play by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who will join remotely, followed by a question-and-answer session on the war with Hudson Institute President and CEO John Walters.
Bill Frauenhofer, executive director for semiconductor investment and innovation at the US Department of Commerce, will join Hudson Institute Senior Fellow David Feith for an invitation-only fireside chat on semiconductor onshoring and the role of government capital in strengthening America’s technological and industrial leadership.
