Norwich University presents “Deciphering the Russian Riddle: National Interests and Geopolitical Competitions" March 21,22

2022 Peace and War Summit

NORTHFIELD, Vt. — Norwich University’s John and Mary Frances Patton Peace and War Center presents “Deciphering the Russian Riddle: National Interests and Geopolitical Competitions,” the 2022 Peace and War Summit, running March 21 to 22 in person and remotely.

The Peace and War Summit at Norwich University, America’s oldest private military college and birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), examines significant international issues with an eye toward recommending viable solutions.

Experts will scrutinize challenges deriving from Russia, ranging from its territorial intrusion into Ukraine and Georgia, to intervention into Syria, to growing military partnership with China, to its cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns.

Deputy Chief of Mission Giorgi Tsikolia, Georgian Embassy to the U.S., and Brig. Gen. John W. Weidner, U.S. Strategic Command will give keynote presentations from 9 to 9:50 a.m. on March 21 in Mack Hall Auditorium. Four workshops follow that day. At 9:25 a.m. on March 22, join the panel discussion “Russia’s Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy,” and at 10:50 a.m. experts discuss “U.S. Strategy Toward Russia.”

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged but not required.

Full schedule and participants:

Monday, March 21, 2022

9 – 9:50 a.m. | Mack Hall Auditorium

KEYNOTE ADDRESSES

Giorgi TsikoliaDeputy chief of mission, Georgian Embassy to the U.S.

John W. WeidnerBrigadier general, U.S. Strategic Command

11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Todd Multipurpose Room

WORKSHOP SESSION I

ModeratorTravis Morris

Presenters: 

Thomas GrahamRussia’s grand strategy toward the West

Jessica PisanoRethinking res publica: How can shared histories help us see the U.S.-Russia relationship differently?

Peter RutlandInterests and identity in the shaping of Russian foreign policy

DiscussantMichael Andrew

1 – 2:15 p.m. | Todd Multipurpose Room

WORKSHOP SESSION II

ModeratorDaniel Morris

Presenters: 

Nicholas GvosdevDrawing the right conclusions from the Russian intervention in Syria

Angela KachuyevskiBorderland no more? shifting security dynamics in Ukraine

Lasha TchantouridzéThe first shot in a long conflict: the 2008 Russo-Georgian War

DiscussantLisa L. Chalidze

2:45 – 4 p.m. | Todd Multipurpose Room

WORKSHOP SESSION III

ModeratorHuw Read

Presenters: 

Lyle Goldstein and Vitaly KozyrevRusso-Chinese strategic partnership of a new type: the security dimension

Mary ManjikanRussian cyberwarfare, social media and disinformation

Eszter Szenes and Mark PerryWeaponizing the Syrian Civil War: Russia’s Twitter War on Terror

DiscussantMark Parker

4:15 – 5:30 p.m. | Todd Multipurpose Room

WORKSHOP SESSION IV

ModeratorSteven Sodergren

Presenters: (Student Presenters TBA)

DiscussantMiri Kim and Michael Thunberg

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

9:25 – 10:40 a.m. | Mack Hall Auditorium

PANEL DISCUSSION I: “Russia’s Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy”

ChairEszter Szenes

PanelistsThomas GrahamAngela KachuyevskiVitaly KozyrevPeter Rutland

10:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. | Mack Hall Auditorium

PANEL DISCUSSION II: “U.S. Strategy Toward Russia”

ChairRowly Brucken

PanelistsLyle GoldsteinNicholas GvosdevMary ManjikanJessica PisanoLasha Tchantouridzé

The inaugural summit, a two-day event in September 2018, addressed North Korea’s nuclear and missile challenges.

The 2021 summit examined the escalation of the U.S.-China rivalry, with special focus on challenges derived from military/security, economic and technological angles.

The culmination of the 2022 summit is the publication of the fourth edition of the Journal of Peace and War Studies.

Go here for the full schedule.

Norwich University is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. Norwich offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in baccalaureate and graduate degrees. Norwich University was founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge of the U.S. Army and is the oldest private military college in the United States of America. Norwich is one of our nation's six Senior Military Colleges and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). www.norwich.edu

 

Event Location

United States