---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: *Heritage Lectures* Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 Subject: After Snowden: The G-20 Forum and the Crisis in US-Russian Relations – What Next? To: Bruce Majors <[email protected]>
** [image: Heritage Foundation] *INVITATION* *After Snowden: The G-20 Forum and the Crisis in US-Russian Relations – What Next?* * * *Featuring* *Ariel Cohen, Ph.D.* Senior Research Fellow for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies, The Heritage Foundation *Donald N. Jensen, Ph.D.* Resident Fellow, The Center for Transatlantic Relations *Kyle Parker* Policy Advisor for Eurasia, The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe * * *James M. Roberts* Research Fellow for Economic Freedom and Growth, Center for International Trade and Economics, The Heritage Foundation * * *Hosted by* *Steven P. Bucci, Ph.D.* Director, Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies, The Heritage Foundation The Kremlin delivered a diplomatic blow to U.S.–Russian relations when Moscow granted former NSA analyst Edward Snowden a temporary political asylum. Now, the White House has cancelled a U.S.–Russia summit that was scheduled for early September, and Obama’s Russian “reset” policy is facing its moment of truth. The crisis in Syria and the Snowden affair puts Russian President Vladimir Putin in the position of strength vis-à-vis Obama—which is where Putin wants to be in relation to foreign counterparts. As in the case with the Iran sanctions, Afghanistan transit, the Tsarnaev brothers information, the arms transfers to Bashar el-Assad, it is Putin who has something that America wants, and it is the U.S. that is coming to Russia to beg. With Putin in the strong bargaining position, the White House is maneuvered into the position of weakness, looking even worse than Jimmy Carter. Yet it comes at a price. The U.S.–Russian relations are strained as never before, and any destabilizing factor creates a serious problem. While pragmatists believe that the White House and the Kremlin have too much to lose, the damage has been already done—and is getting worse. Of course, the U.S.–Russian relations are based on pursuit of national interest. However, they are increasingly poisoned by the ideological rejection of the West and the U.S. by the Russian ruling elite. The domestic crackdown, including anti-NGO legislation, the ban on orphan adoption to the US, prosecution of political opponents – all these complicate the ability of Russia and the US to do business together. In addition, the G-20 gathering in St. Petersburg will be another photo-op event to discuss a wide range of international economic issues. Yet, a clear focus is needed not to repeat the debates in other fora. What should the US – and especially the US Congress – do to protect America’s interests and support our friends in Russia? What should the G-20 leaders do to restore economic growth? Join us for a discussion on the upcoming G-20 summit and U.S.-Russia bilateral relations. * * *Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 12:00 p.m.* * * *The Heritage Foundation’s Lehrman Auditorium* RSVP online<http://links.heritage.org/ct/14321795:16648440632:m:1:330926794:8A1D2EA269FC55001F3443E1D66267C1:r>| or call (202) 675-1752 Terms and conditions of attendance are posted at heritage.org/Events/terms.cfm<http://links.heritage.org/ct/14321796:16648440632:m:1:330926794:8A1D2EA269FC55001F3443E1D66267C1:r> All events may be viewed live at heritage.org<http://links.heritage.org/ct/14321797:16648440632:m:1:330926794:8A1D2EA269FC55001F3443E1D66267C1:r> News media inquiries, call (202) 675-1761 * 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE | Washington, DC 20002 | (202) 546-4400* <http://links.heritage.org/p/ss-oGr96zN?show=1&h=1&ch=1&CID=16648440632> You are subscribed to this as [email protected]<javascript:_e({}, 'cvml', '[email protected]');>. If you want to receive other Heritage Foundation newsletters or opt out of these messages please click here to update<http://links.heritage.org/ct/14321798:16648440632:m:1:330926794:8A1D2EA269FC55001F3443E1D66267C1:r>your subscription preferences. This message was intended for: [email protected] <javascript:_e({}, 'cvml', '[email protected]');> You were added to the system February 29, 2012. For more information click here <http://links.heritage.org/p/is-oGr96zN>. Update your preferences <http://links.heritage.org/p/os-oGr96zN> | Unsubscribe <http://links.heritage.org/p/os-oGr96zN> -- -- Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PoliticalForum" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
