Russia & International Organizations in the 21st Century

The course focuses on the analysis of one of Russia’s most complex foreign policy issues – Russia's search for its place in the system of contemporary international relations. Russia’s loss of “Great Power” status after the collapse of the Soviet Union brought about a serious crisis in Russia's foreign affairs practices, and international relations in the 21st century are shaped by a different set of challenges. Reactions to outside organizations are colored by nostalgia about the past and a struggle within Russia's political elite about the country’s place in world politics. This course will include a thorough exploration of major documents, analytical papers, and various expert opinions, as well as an in-depth study of public opinion and political rhetoric.