Andrey Kortunov

Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council.
RIAC member
Andrey Kortunov graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) in 1979 and completed his postgraduate studies at the Institute for U.S. and Canada Studies of the USSR Academy of Sciences in 1982. He holds a PhD in History. Dr Kortunov completed internships at the Soviet embassies in London and Washington, and at the Permanent Delegation of the USSR to the UN.
In 1982–1995, Dr Kortunov held various positions in the Institute for U.S. and Canada Studies, including Deputy Director. He taught at universities around the world, including the University of California, Berkeley. In addition, he led several public organizations involved in higher education, social sciences and social development.
Since 2011, Andrey Kortunov has been the Director General of RIAC. He is a member of expert and supervisory committees and boards of trustees of several Russian and international organizations. His academic interests include contemporary international relations and Russian foreign policy.
Reports
RIAC and ISPI Joint Report
It would be very disappointing if the international community were to respond to the events of 2020 in the same near-sighted, fearful and inadequate manner that it responded to the events of 2008–2009
RIAC–RUSI Report
CSIS and RIAC Report
RIAC and Africa Business Initiative Union Joint Report #53/2020
Report No. 41/2019
Report No. 48/2019
The Working Group on the Future of U.S.-Russia Relations’ Report
RIAC and RUSI Report, #45 / 2019
CSIS and RIAC Report
Based on discussions with experts, officials and military figures in Moscow, European capitals and NATO Headquarters, this report identifies practical steps to stabilise the Russia-NATO confrontation
RIAC and RUSI Report No. 38/2018
A Forecasting Report
A Report of the CSIS Russia and Eurasia Program and the Russian International Affairs Council
RIAC and VIF Report #34, 2017
RIAC and CSR Report
RIAC and RUSI Report #32, 2017
Working Papers
RIAC and IRAS Working Paper #59/2020
Can Russia and the EU interact constructively on the Syrian issue?
Articles
Combining Alexander’s global universalism and noble idealism with Aristotle’s rational democracy and political pluralism could usher in radically new development directions for our world
Russia and India are going to lose a lot if they have to take sides in this forthcoming US-China rivalry
We may assume that if at least half of these tasks are fulfilled, then the next 12 months can be rightfully deemed a success for Russia’s foreign policy
We will not see an early US-Russian summit in 2021
The only plausible alternative to multilateralism is not a restoration of an old bipolar, unipolar or multipolar order, but a global disorder with no agreed-upon rules, procedures and hierarches of…
Although the U.S.-China-Russia triangle is still a popular and useful analytical pattern and possible future scenario for relations, it does not resemble that of the Cold War
Even a partial restoration of transatlantic unity under a President Biden will be a blow to the official Kremlin narrative about the inexorable movement of the international system toward a…
Biden’s harsh anti-Russian campaign rhetoric should not be taken literally
What lessons can Russia and Chine draw from the Korean War to better handle conflict?
If you expect Moscow to give in to external pressure and make concessions, you’ll be waiting a long time
How Russia deals with its sphere of influence
The logic and dynamics of Turkey’s current foreign policy continue to place Erdogan in the middle of a minefield, where any step could prove fatal for his relations with Vladimir Putin
Current preliminary pencil sketches of the complex Eurasian structure of the future contain more questions than answers
A true reform of the UN cannot start in New York; it should start in national capitals of member states
Neither the coronavirus nor the economic recession will automatically lead to a détente, let alone a reset in relations between Russia and the West
In today’s world, societies cannot interact through the bottleneck of intergovernmental relations
Even if the political clouds are miraculously dispersed and the New START is revived in the coming months, it would not do much to bring back the Soviet-American model of arms control that took shape…
Yemen’s looming humanitarian disaster and its people’s pleas for peace require action on three levels
Just like the classics of Marxism-Leninism idealized the proletariat and demonized the bourgeoisie, the UN Secretary-General idealizes the South and demonizes the North
In order to put its relations with China back on track, the US political establishment will have to go through a complete generational change
The end of the current public health and economic crisis is nowhere in sight, but it’s already clear that both Moscow and Brussels will come out of it weakened, both in absolute terms and relative to…
Relations will continue to be built on the basis of the “lowest common denominator,” which effectively means the continuation of the current course of confrontation
Future governance structures should incorporate elements of the old order but prioritize emerging threats and the needs of rising powers
Multilateralism, like any other format of diplomatic activity, will always be as effective or ineffective as the players who practice them want
Crisis is not just a convenient pretext but also a solid reason for shaking up one's old foreign political "wardrobe"
The anniversary will become a reason to mourn the failed hopes of the past decade and an incentive to think about the opportunities offered by the next ten years
The Monkey King cannot sit it out atop the mountain
The West, particularly the United States, is crying out for an alternative to the Chinese coronavirus narrative. And now more so than ever, as the outlines of a post-corona bipolar world are coming…
The First Take on Humanity’s KPI in Combating the Coronavirus
Some principles of the “responsible restriction of freedom” that the authorities of all countries should think about when such restrictions are inevitable
Either humanity will find the strength and determination to move to a new level of governance by relinquishing a part of the national sovereignty of states, or new pandemics will force us to pay an…
The G20 is too small and too exclusive to represent all of humanity, but in order to be an effective crisis manager at the global level, it is too large and heterogeneous
After the pandemic, a new agenda will emerge in the world, which will be determined by young people who are now under the house arrest of self-isolation. Suddenly, they will have had enough time to…
Preliminary results of the coronavirus test on society show the lack of instinct that is inherent in anybiological species to protect its population
Familiar Problems and New Challenges for Russia
For Russia, this election in relative terms will mean less than for many other international players
Since the European and Russian Elites Are Never Going to Agree on Values, Relations Should be Built on Interests Instead
Iran and the Arab states of the Gulf would gain from taking control over their security interests
For the United States, for the European Union, for Russia, for China and for many other leading players in world politics, the great turning point, most likely, will not be in 2020, but in 2024
We need humanity, creativity and efficiency for Europe 3.0. South Tyrol Case for Donbass
Crisis of the state system, Economic and financial disorder, the rise of non-state actors, climate change, migrations, decline of international institutions
A trumpet of Armageddon or a wakeup call?
Macron does not want to lose his shot at the now-vacant position of foreign policy leader of Europe, including regarding Russian, which is very important for the European Union
The harsh jungle laws of modern global politics are much more complicated than the rules which dictate the size, stamina and physical strength of inhabitants of the animal kingdom
Speaking notes for the European Meeting of the Trilateral Commission
However, will a world without NATO be better for Russia than a world with NATO?
The new generation of Europeans will find things much harder than we did
Speaking notes during the Beijing Forum 2019
Five Explanations for the Kremlin’s Recent Foreign Policy Dominance, and Why It’s Not Such a Rosy Picture After All
The Africa of today and especially the Africa of tomorrow will be too important for the world at large to approach it only as an extension of the ongoing Russia–UK confrontation
If the Aim of Russian Policy is to Resolve the Donbass Issue by Finding a Compromise Solution, then the Russian Leadership Has no Reason to Rejoice at Ukraine-Gate
Beyond the scope of the current security agenda, European experts generally do not see Moscow making any significant contribution to the future of the MENA
The task is to shorten the pause as much as possible and make the resumption of the talks as simple as possible
Unlike the United States, Russia cannot “withdraw” from the region without creating a range of new security problems for itself
First, it is too expensive; second, it is technically highly complicated; and, third, no active resident support is likely
What Happened at the 16th Annual Meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club?
Does Russia’s relative stability imply that Moscow will be by default the proactive side in its relationship with the European Union?
The sad reality of 2014 was either a historical inevitability or at least a completely predictable ending to a protracted play
On Russia’s World Order Evolution Narratives
Putin and Macron need each other, probably more so than they did two years ago
Politics in the US is becoming increasingly polarized, leaving millennials no other choice
The Bologna process gives us an idea of the possible format for restoring EU–Russia relations
Is Moscow capable of preserving the current status quo in Syria – and indeed in the region as a whole – in the long term, even if this status quo is in Russia’s interests?
How to ensure security and freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf?
Even the most intractable European critics of the Kremlin will hardly object to cooperation in environmental issues
It’s in Russia’s interests to do everything possible not only to retain the support of the pragmatists, but to convince the skeptics that their fears are unfounded
How can we make progress in the US-Russia Relationship?
History has not ended, but “the last man” has already appeared on our common horizon
For all the importance of limiting and reducing nuclear arms, the priority task for all should be to prevent a nuclear war
Speech at the 5th International Conference “Russia and China: Cooperation in a New Era”
The “Russian issue” will not budge unless the slogans of the European Union are converted into detailed “road maps” and concrete proposals
Iran in the Middle East: Regional Spoiler or Stakeholder?
An increased American pressure on Iran makes Tehran even more dependent on major US geopolitical adversaries — China and Russia
Most of the supposed “pro-Russian” European populists see the issue of Russia as nothing more than a bargaining chip in a higher-stakes game with Brussels
U.S.–Russia Relations after Mueller Report
A response to the “Russia is a Rogue, Not a Peer; China is a Peer, Not a Rogue” report by the RAND Corporation
What scale of sacrifice will it take to make humanity finally wake up with this self-preservation instinct, presumably inherent in all living things?
Is Brussels doomed to negotiate with Beijing from a position of weakness?
The German Chancellor unequivocally reaffirmed Germany’s candidacy for leader of Europe and, more importantly, outlined a course for Europe to achieve “strategic autonomy” from the United States
Realistically, it is impossible to sit all regional and international players around the same table
No single power can ‘fix’ the current turmoil in the Middle East. Still, there may be scope for Russia–Europe cooperation in managing the region’s ills
The Eurasian Heartland of the 21st century is actually what Mackinder saw as the “inner crescent.” Primarily China and India, in relation to which the rest of the Eurasian massif – Russia, Central…
Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council Andrey Kortunov on the Future of Nuclear Arms Control
А chain reaction can be launched that will lead to the collapse of not only the bilateral system of strategic weapons control, but also to the erosion of the entire international regime
Traditional Technocratic Methods Can no Longer be Used to Solve Europe’s Problems
It is clear that the problem of nuclear arms will not fix itself
The Middle East is in a much more complicated and difficult situation now than Europe was back in 1975, and it appears that replicating the Helsinki Decalogue in the region would be unproductive
Relations with Kiev Should be Built on the Same Principles as those with, for Instance, Warsaw, Bratislava or Bucharest
Russia and its partners can arguably win the war, but they cannot win the peace in Syria
Presentation at the Fifth Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate, November 11.
As long as Trump and Putin talk now and then, the world can sleep peacefully
The present Russia-West conflict need not predetermine a difficult Russiaт-Western century. What are the scenarios? And what can be done?
Perhaps the term “arms control” itself should be revised
In recent decades great powers usually win the wars but lose at peace
Why Russia’s tilt towards Asia will continue
The second Putin —Trump summit should not be a repetition of the first
Arguments For and Against a Strong Europe
The transcontinental Berlin–Beijing axis could become a worthy strategic response to the unprecedentedly strong and brutal U.S. pressure
The Chinese role in the continent – like any Chinese step beyond its borders – is subject to a scrutiny by foreign politicians and experts
Russia is not an alternative to Turkey’s cooperation with the European Union; neither Turkey is a substitute for Russia working harder to resolve its problems with the United States and Europe
If Putin does not believe in the political future of Trump, the value of the Helsinki meeting in Putin’s eyes should have been quite limited
Trump can offer Putin nothing so attractive and so tempting that could put into question the centrality of China for Russia’s foreign policy
Putin-Trump Summit: Better Late Than Never
Multilateralism Instead of Multipolarity
The history of relations between the United States and Russia demonstrates that there is no substitute for personal contacts between the leaders of the two countries.
Washington consensus 2.0 / China–India Axis / Multipolar balance of power / New bipolarity
What Kind of Eurasia will Enter the 22nd Century
When did we in Moscow and you in Washington go from producing expert analysis to creating political propaganda?
How to cure the chronic paralysis of the Security Council?
The future of the SCO may consist in the role of integrator for the efforts of numerous players in the Eurasian political arena
Today chemical weapons pose a more challenging and dangerous threat than even nuclear ones. Recent events in the UK’s Salisbury and Syrian city of Duma make one reassess the problem of chemical…
A Scary Tale for the permanent members of the UN Security Council
A new government in Berlin is always a new opportunity — not only for Germany itself, but also for its international partners, Russia including
“No Man’s Land”, “New Cold War”, “Eurasian Melting Pot” or “Two legged Greater Europe”
Russia’s Foreign Policy in the Face of Confrontation with the West
Relations between Russia and the UK have taken a hard knock from recent events.
What, if this is a false flag?
The Cold War demonstrated that expulsions of diplomats produce no positive results whatsoever
What Britain's options really are, and how Russia might respond.
The concept of strategic stability as we have known it since early 1960s becomes antiquated and immaterial
The U.S.-Russia conflict is like a teenage fight. When should we stop the fight with no winners?
Russia made at least three tactical mistakes after the new Republican administration came to power
Washington is resolved to damaging Russia under Putin as much as it can. But Russia doesn't have to take a hard line
The former rebel and non-systemic candidate, a tireless fighter against the Washington establishment and the Deep State, in fact acknowledged his defeat. It's time to change Russia's tactics…
In 2017 Russian foreign policy started a painful process of reassessing its previous assumptions about the EU and its midterm prospects
Wilsoniansim: a Relic of a Bygone Era?
Regardless of how each of us sees the world in 2018, it seems apparent that this world can no longer be explained within traditional IR paradigms
Neither side is likely to achieve a decisive victory in the foreseeable future. And a protracted crisis will mean the accumulation of long-term problems for both Ukraine and Russia
The old arms control got into its ‘perfect storm’ and though the preservation of the Cold War heritage is indispensable, preservation per se is clearly not sufficient to provide for strategic…
CSIS and RIAC Meeting Report
The initiative to hold the Congress of the Syrian people in Sochi is not a dig against the Geneva process, but rather an attempt to strengthen Russia's position in the future dialogue with Europe…
The Dialogue with the North Korean Leadership Now Has to be Conducted from a Position of Weakness, Rather than one of Strength
An attempt to create a defense alliance similar to NATO in the Middle East does not look realistic
No system, biological or social, can exist without set of universal laws. Reducing complexity would dramatically increase the level of systemic risks and challenges
The unraveling instability and the rise of insecurity in the Gulf demonstrates that traditional models of providing regional security simply do not work in the XXI century
Seven aspects of the possible peacekeeping mission that require some kind of compromise to be reached by Moscow and Kiev
The task of integrating Russian social sciences and humanities into the global discourse remains for the most part unsolved
This conference report summarises the discussions at two bilateral meetings held in London and Moscow between experts from the UK and Russia
For the majority of neo-modernists the question of democracy and authoritarianism is drifting into the background, giving way to an issue they consider much more important, namely the border between…
RD Interview
How did the Cold War end?
Should the West be concerned about the Eurasian Economic Union? Is it a disguised attempt to resurrect the Soviet Union?
A crisis of liberalism does not equal a crisis of the liberal world order
Everybody knows that the Russian leadership never makes mistakes
Renaissance of Geopolitics?
An alternative to the tough line?
Without the human factor, nothing else is likely to work
An attempt to move beyond the traditional system of high-level meetings
The historical experience of Russia indicates the exact opposite about the virtues of isolationism
If the CW problem is successfully resolved, it is not the end of the Syrian tragedy
Interviews
Three questions to Andrey Kortunov
We are facing a generational change among the leaders of the world’s great powers
Interview for the EU-Russia Expert Network
Arguably, the most intriguing question of the Russian-French summit is whether Vladimir Putin has any new ideas on the Ukrainian settlement to share with Emmanuel Macron
Russia can do quite a lot at the political level, but it cannot replace Europe as a potential driver of Iran’s economic and social development
Franco-Russian Conversation with Andrey Kortunov and Michel Duclos
Member Comments
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Column: Day Figure
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Ph.D. in History, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, RIAC member
Longreads
A Forecasting Report. Summary
Events Reports
Chipping Away at Four Gordian Knots. CSIS and RIAC Meeting Report
CSIS and RIAC Meeting Report
Poll conducted
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In your opinion, what are the US long-term goals for Russia?
U.S. wants to establish partnership relations with Russia on condition that it meets the U.S. requirements 33 (31%) U.S. wants to deter Russia’s military and political activity 30 (28%) U.S. wants to dissolve Russia 24 (22%) U.S. wants to establish alliance relations with Russia under the US conditions to rival China 21 (19%)

Igor Okunev

Alfredo Toro Hardy

Leonid Leonid Grigoryev, Adrian Pabst