NATO and Russia: Rising Geopolitical Instability and the Threat of Conflict

NATO and Russia: Rising Geopolitical Instability and the Threat of Conflict
Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Time: 5:30 pm-7:00 pm
Location: Burr and Burton Academy, Hunter Seminar Room
Fee: $15 in advance; $20 at the door

GUEST SPEAKER:

Ralph S. Clem

Professor Emeritus
Florida International University

Following Russia’s seizure of the Crimea region from Ukraine in early 2014, tensions have risen steadily between Moscow and the West, with economic sanctions, expulsions of diplomats and the closure of legations, and an unending barrage of mutual recriminations not seen since the darkest days of the Cold War.

These increasingly contentious relations have resulted in significantly higher levels of military operations on both sides; Russian forces are in very close and continuing contact with those of NATO in and around Europe and in the Middle East, especially Syria. What do these unsettling developments portend for relations between the West (especially the US) and Russia, especially with US politics and foreign policy in a state of flux and an insecure Russian state confronting serious domestic economic and social problems? Given the foregoing, are there any viable prospects for improved relations in coming years?