On September 28, RIAC member Fyodor Lukyanov, Editor-in-Chief of Russia in Global Affairs magazine, read a lecture at conference "Russia and Ibero-America in a Globalized World" held by St. Petersburg State University. Dr. Lukyanov underlined the role of RIAC in foreign affairs research in Russia and noted that the UN Security Council resolution on Syria of September 28, 2013 has laid the foundation for a new period in the history of international relations that could be qualified as "return of grand diplomacy", which has changed the End of History following the Cold War, as worded by Francis Fukuyama.
On September 28, RIAC member Fyodor Lukyanov, Editor-in-Chief of Russia in Global Affairs magazine, read a lecture at conference "Russia and Ibero-America in a Globalized World" held by St. Petersburg State University.
Dr. Lukyanov underlined the role of RIAC in foreign affairs research in Russia and noted that the UN Security Council resolution on Syria of September 28, 2013 has laid the foundation for a new period in the history of international relations that could be qualified as "return of grand diplomacy", which has changed the End of History following the Cold War, as worded by Francis Fukuyama.
Dr. Lukyanov pointed out that the previous period is known for moral domination of the U.S.A. and the West, who tried hard to bring back the ideologically off-mainstream countries to the "only true path". In any conflict, the righteous side was appointed for defense, with simultaneous punishment of the wrongdoer. Humanistic ideology was combined with a powerful military machine for humanitarian interventions, as seen in the cases of Yugoslavia, Kosovo and partially Iraq. The policy peaked in Libya when the West openly supported a civil war party, against which France later had to war in Mali. Diplomatically, the past period was characterized by predetermined outcomes of all conflicts, with the only subject of talks being the terms of surrender for the appointed wrongdoer.
The scenario actually failed in the Syrian case, since intrusion was prevented thanks to Russia's initiative. We may say that diplomacy has regained its initial function, i.e. settlement of the war and peace matters. We also witness rising influence of regional states, i.e. Brazil, Turkey, India, Iran, Mexico, etc. Russia should define its role with the account of these changes and, possibly, focus on its priorities like development of Siberia and the Far East and bolstering its presence in Asia Pacific.
RIAC member Vladimir Davydov, Director of RAS Institute for Latin American Studies, narrated about project "Russia and Mexico: a New Bilateral Relationship" implemented by his Institute and RIAC. He said that Mexico is in the focus of Washington that regards the country as a counterbalance to the rising Brazil.
Valery Morozov, Russia's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Mexico in 2005-2012, pointed out that Mexico has already lost the regional leadership to Brazil. He also analyzed possible areas for Russia-Mexico interaction, suggesting that in view of its free trade arrangements with the United States, Mexico could become Russia's springboard for entering the U.S. market.
RIAC Program Coordinator Nikolay Markotkin arranged a presentation of the Russian International Affairs Council for students and faculty of the University's Foreign Affairs Department.
