Washington DC, October 15, 2007

Embassy of the Russian Federation to the United States

Presentation of a new book by

Dr. Veronika Krasheninnikova

"America-Russia: Cold War of Cultures"

and a discussion moderated by

Dr. Blair Ruble

Director of Kennan Institute

with

Dr. Thomas Graham

Senior Director, Kissinger McLarty Associates; former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Russia on the National Security Council

Amb. James Collins

Director, Russian and Eurasian Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia,

Dr. Andrew Kuchins

Director, Russian & Eurasian Program, Center for Strategic & International Studies

on October 15, 2007

from 4.00 to 6.00 p.m.

followed by a glass of vine and hors d'oeuvres

If according to the Russian poet Fyodor Tutchev, "Russia is baffling to the [Russian] mind", how baffling must it be to the American mind? Each nation has its own sense of "reality," and national realities -- composed of values, beliefs, principles, patterns of behavior, ideology -- are not easily translated across borders and cultures.

In relations between America and Russia, the respective lenses of national values, beliefs and, for America, a unique ideology focus, shape perceptions of the other. And perceptions shape policy. Mutual misunderstanding has always plagued Russian-American relations, often creating excessive tensions, frictions and periods of great danger.

Left unchecked, it will do further damage not just to both states but the larger international system as well. The discussion will explore the ways in which the underlying principles and patterns of behavior of both Russia and the United States can be harnessed to foster positive relations between both countries in the future.

Press about book discussion:

The Economist

World Politics Review

ITAR-TASS

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