The Rita Hauser Annual Event

Russia and the West

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) held a two-day symposium on April 12 and April 13, 2017, which featured five panels discussing the internal politics of Russia, as well as the current state of U.S.-Russia relations. The symposium, held at CFR’s office in New York, brought together leading scholars to examine the policy options for the United States and Europe in regards to Russion, the significant economic, political, demographic, and military trends in Russia today, and the lessons to be learned for U.S. policy from the quarter century since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Videos from the symposium can be viewed below. This symposium was made possible by the generous support of the Hauser Foundation.

Session 1: Perspectives on Russia

Play

Following introductory remarks by Rita E. Hauser, Dmitri Trenin and Alexander R. Vershbow discussed with Paula Dobriansky different perspectives on U.S.-Russian relations.

Session 2: How Did We Get Here?

Play

James M. Goldgeier, Philip H. Gordon, and Marie Mendras discussed with Michael Mandelbaum the history of the U.S. - Russian relationship.

Session 3: Russia Today

Play

Heidi Crebo-Rediker, Keir Giles, Kathryn Stoner, and Andrew J. Guff  discuss the significant economic, political, demographic, and military trends in Russia today.

Session 4: Russian Foreign Policy

Play

Jennifer M. Harris, James Nixey, and Alina Polyakova review with Andrew Nagorski Russia’s strategic objectives and foreign policy with Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the United States.  

Session 5: Responding to Russia

Play

Samuel Charap, Thomas Gomart, and Charlie A. Kupchan explore with Kimberly Joy Marten policy options for the United States and Europe, including the possibility of a Western reset with Russia and the efficacy of sanctions.

Rita and Gustave Hauser
Rita and Gustave Hauser
Participants at the 2017 event
Participants at the 2017 event
Symposium question
Symposium question
Discussion continues
Discussion continues