On 17th of June, School of Social Sciences of the University of Georgia and New Economics School Georgia will host an unprecedented conference on: “Tracking Russian Influence in Post-Communist Countries”.

Within the framework of the conference, various issues will be discussed:

· Political and economic influences of Russia;

· Military and hybrid influences of Russia;

· Culture, norms and values;

· Ways to address challenges.

Confirmed speakers:

Michael Carpenter- Adviser of Ex Vice-President of U.S Joe Biden in International Relations, National Security Consultant at Lithuania National Defense Foundation, Director of Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement.

Jeffrey Mankoff- Deputy Director and Senior Fellow at CSIS Russia and Eurasia Program, Ex Advisor of U.S-Russia Relations at U.S State Department, Expert in International Security and Russian Foreign Policy.

Brian Whitmore- Senior Fellow and Director of the Russia Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis, Senior Russia Analyst for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Lecturer at Mechnikov National University in Odessa.

Luke Coffey- Director of the Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies at the Heritage Foundation, Ex Senior Adviser of Secretary of State for Defense of UK,

Andreas Umland- German Political Scientist, Expert of History of Russia and Ukraine, focus on the post-Soviet extreme right

Krassen Stanchev- Expert of Macroeconomics, Professor of Sofia University, Subcontractor of EU, UN, USAID or the World Bank programs.

Susanne Spahn- Political Scientist, Expert of East European Studies.

Zygimantas Pavilionis- Parliament Member of Republic of Lithuania, Chair of Transatlantic and Democracy Subcommittee, Ex Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States of America.

Within the scope of the conference, first phase of the research conducted by the University of Georgia on “Russia’s Economic Footprint in Georgia – a Tool for Political Influence” will be presented. Economic influence of Russia in Georgia, its effect on political decisions and communication strategies will be discussed.

The University of Georgia visited different organizations and experts in U.S. where future cooperation plans were discussed.

It should be noted that final presentation of the research will be conducted at Atlantic Council and at Center for Strategic and International Studies- CSIS. 

The UG School of Science will visited: New York Times, Harvard University Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Kennan Institute Wilson Center, Digital Forensic Research Lab, Gettysburg College, Taft University- Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

For additional information please visit the link: Conference