Join the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) for a lecture and report presentation by Dr. Nick Gvosdev on Russia's political and economic influence abroad. Gvosdev argues that Russia’s economic interests in foreign countries are often described as a “Trojan Horse” through which the Kremlin seeks to pressure neighbors. The United States and its allies, in response, expend significant resources, both financial and diplomatic, to limit Russia’s economic links with its neighbors and strategic partners. Moreover, the Russian Federation is pursuing an active and wide-ranging strategy to reassert and strengthen its dominant position in the greater Black Sea region, which the Kremlin believes is critical for the restoration of Russia’s great power status. Consolidation of the Russian position in this region will establish and enhance the military, political and economic foundations of Russia’s position as a great power. Throughout the “four basins” of this region (Caspian, Black, Eastern Mediterranean and Persian Gulf), Moscow aims to make itself the indispensable partner for settling conflicts and constructing and maintaining regional security and economic arrangements. The Russian approach has three main prongs. First, the Russia-Azerbaijan relationship is the new template for how Russia plans to conduct its relations with the countries of the Black Sea, in place of the confrontational approach that has characterized the Russia-Georgia and Russia-Ukraine relationships. Second, the Caspian Convention—successfully concluded after years of deadlock when Russia accepted compromises with its neighbors in return for keeping outside powers out of the process—provides a model for Russian approaches in other parts of the region. Third, Russia seeks to export these approaches to other parts of the greater Black Sea region, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf.

Registration is required and is free for Members of FPRI at the $100 level and above, Members of the Philadelphia Racquet Club and Members of the Philadelphia Oxford-Cambridge Club; $20 for Non-Members. The event is free to students with student ID. More information can be found on the event page.

Speaker:

Nikolas Gvosdev, Eurasia Senior Fellow, FPRI; professor of national security affairs, U.S. Naval War College