Dr. Marina Oborotova, CFIS-AIA
April 12, 2015 (Sun) 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
ABQ Museum of Art & History

Russia is in the news again, and will stay there for as long as we can see. We need to look at the country again trying to understand its political trajectory from 1985 to 2015. Oborotova will tell the story of Russia’s evolution focusing on three recent Russian leaders – Gorbachev, Yeltsin and Putin. Leaders matter in any country, but in authoritarian states they play a much more important role, heavily influencing the course of events and direction of development. Gorbachev’s efforts to reform the Soviet Union destroyed it. Yeltsin’s poor health undermined his democratic intents and actions and threw the country into chaos. And Putin’s policy to install order brought Russia back to authoritarian rule.  Why is it so difficult for Russia to escape her authoritarian past?  Is there any hope?

Dr. Marina Oborotova is the Founder and the President of the Center for International Studies and the Albuquerque International Association.  She has an M.A. from the Moscow State University for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Foreign Office and a Ph.D. from the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Russia’s leading think-tank, where she worked as a senior researcher. Her career includes experience in many parts of the world in foreign policy, international business, academic research, and university level teaching.  She has written two books and over 40 articles on foreign relations and has presented numerous papers at international conferences.   In the U.S. she has taught at the University of New Mexico in the Departments of History, Political Science, the Anderson School of Management and the Honors Program.

Supported by New Mexico Humanities Council and Sandia National Labs