On September 29, 2021, Fyodor Lukyanov, Editor-in-Chief of Russia in Global Affairs magazine, took part in webinar of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, titled “After Afghanistan: Russia and the United States Pick Up the Pieces”.
Fyodor Lukyanov, one of Russia’s leading analysts of foreign affairs, believes the messy American withdrawal from Afghanistan indicates that the United States intends to focus more narrowly—and more strategically—on national interests worth defending. Join the webinar for a conversation between Lukyanov and Alexandra Vacroux to hear how the Russians are interpreting the U.S. exit from Kabul and the opportunities it may create for Russia.
You can watch the video here
The Soviet Union spent the decade from 1979 to 1989 trying to restore order and a friendly government in Afghanistan. Beginning in 2001, the United States spent two decades trying to do the same. Both efforts failed miserably.
Is the American withdrawal good for Russia? Could more contained American foreign policy goals allow for better U.S.-Russia bilateral relations? Are Russians concerned China will muscle into Central Asia, a region Russia has traditionally seen as its sphere of influence? These questions and more discussed and put in context during our opening event of the 2021–22 academic year.
The Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies is Harvard University’s center for interdisciplinary research and study of Russia and the countries surrounding it.
