A recent ex-ambassador to Russia, Roderic Lyne has written 2 papers for odRussia. Theyve come out as something we dont usually do - strategy documents (both about 2000 words long). He's on the most liberal end of official thinking. It's an argument for selective cooperation, on the model of West's policy to apartheid S Africa. He knows his Russia very well indeed, and beautifully analyses the way the elite's head and heart are in conflict when it comes to adventures in the postSoviet space.
Its an important contribution for us. Question is what to do with it. My own first instinct is to muck about with them as little as possible, post them on successive weeks, and commission someone more hawkish to respond. I would suggest Marie Mendras as ideal.
Zygmunt and I would really like others' thoughts. But would like to decide this by end of this week. (sorry I attached them in wrong order)
Russia: what should the West's strategy be post Georgia war?
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I think both pieces are excellent and sound highly sensible. It would be very interesting to have a Russian response to them -Boris, maybe? How do they play in Moscow, I wonder?
I agree on minimal change. It would be nice to have links - eg reminding the forgetful reader, like myself of the EU/NATO negotiations over Kaliningrad.
Tony
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