Russia and the Medvedev Presidency - One Year On

06 May 2009

Professor Stuart Harris, Dr Robert F. Miller and Dr Kirill Nourzhanov

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, the 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 many other relevant questions, will be discussed to coincide with the first anniversary of Medvedev's inauguration as the President.

Broad Topics: Arts and Social Sciences, Asia and the Pacific

Sub-topics: Policy & Political Science

Areas: ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific

rofessor 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.

Presented by the ANU International Relations Society.

Part of the Toyota-ANU Public Lecture Series 2009