Study Group with Ann Simmons

Autocracy, Repression, and War: Decoding the World of Vladimir Putin

Early in his presidency, the former KGB operative turned Kremlin leader won respect for his plans to modernize Russia, boost living standards, and tackle graft. He promised a government that would really work for its people. He even suggested that Russia could potentially become an ally to the West, at one point stating that he found it hard "to visualize NATO as an enemy." Now almost a quarter century later, Putin has silenced his enemies, manipulated his rivals, stifled the free press, and hardened his position toward the West. How did we get here, where are we headed, and what role will the new U.S. administration play in influencing Putin's attempts to reshape the world order?

AUDIENCE: These conversations are open to members of the Harvard community. Please RSVP with a valid Harvard email address. 

OFF-THE-RECORD: In keeping with our long tradition at the IOP to ensure honest and candid discussions of politics, all IOP study groups are off-the-record.