HON-H 304 – Russian and Soviet Foreign Policy

After decades of Cold War, for a while it seemed possible that the bitter enmity between Russia and the West might give way to an amicable partnership that could address many pressing world problems. Instead, Cold War tensions are resuming, and years of rivalry have left a legacy of mistrust and suspicion that seems increasingly unlikely to dissipate. This course will attempt to understand the reasons for this disappointing outcome. We will examine the evolution of Soviet foreign policy in the period since World War II and the foreign policy of Russia since the collapse of the Soviet state, focusing in particular on Russia’s relations with the West.  Russian policies toward Eastern Europe, Central and East Asia, and the Middle East, and the ways in which those policies have exacerbated tensions with the West, will also be considered. Topics may include the competing views on foreign policy held by various Russian elites, the persistent legacy of the Russian past and of Soviet experience in international affairs before 1945; the impact of ideology on Soviet and Russian decisions and actions; and the institutions and individuals involved in the making of Moscow’s foreign policy. Readings, lectures and discussions will analyze Soviet conduct during the Cold War, the changes in Soviet foreign and military policies that led to the end of the Cold War, and Russia’s policies in the post-Cold War era. Students will participate in a role-playing exercise, simulating debates in the Russian Foreign Ministry.