Alan Cafruny, the Henry Platt Bristol Chair of International Affairs and Professor of Government, recently presented a paper at the Higher School of Economics, Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs research and education center in Moscow.
In “A ‘Sovereign’ Europe? EU ‘Autonomy’ in Global Governance: The Case of Sanctions, Cafruny and co-presenter Ksenia Kirkham of Kings College London discussed the harm to European countries caused by sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Russia and Iran. Noting that European leaders have called for greater autonomy from the U.S., they examined the basis for such autonomy and how the European response aligns with Europe’s structural position in the global system.
Cafruny also gave an invited lecture titled “Is Atlanticism Fading Away?” He said that the transatlantic relationship has served as the ideological, economic, and geopolitical center of the American global imperium for six decades. He explored whether the relationship will survive President Donald Trump’s “America First” policies, the rise of populism, and China’s ascent.
While in Moscow, Cafruny also participated in an expert discussion at the Valdai International Discussion Club. He was joined by Dmitry Suslov of the Higher School of Economics and Ivan Timofeev of the Russian International Affairs Council for “On Great-Power Rivalry in the Age of Ultimatums,” which focused on Russian-American relations.