Valdai Club

Although the media praised it as a trilateral summit, in fact Moon Jae-in only played host to the summit meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Therefore, there were two separate summit meetings.

At this point, one of the main issues is the ability of Russia and Iran to use the capital of trust developed during the conflict and transform it into cooperation on Syria’s recovery. If the answer is “yes” it will be possible to talk about the strategic character of Russian-Iranian relations in Syria. If different approaches to military construction and an understanding of one’s role in the Syrian economy prevail, Russian-Iranian cooperation will be described as merely tactical and already something from the past.

As part of the Eastern Perspective project, Leonid Bliakher, Head of the Department of Philosophy at the Pacific National University in Khabarovsk, told valdaiclub.com about the premises and limitations of Russia’s “turn to the East.”

In recent years, the turn to the East, or pivot to Asia, has been one of the most popular topics in the Russian political and media discourse. Assessments of this process vary: some consider it a long-overdue necessity and a chance for Russia to increase its competitiveness in the 21st century. Others think this project is a product of Moscow policymakers and does not take into account the real needs of Russians residing in the Asian parts of the country. valdaiclub.com examines the turn’s nature, opportunities, and limitations in the framework of its “Eastern Perspective” project.

“Hide your strength, bide your time,” Deng Xiaoping used to say. In recent years, China has become increasingly vocal on the world stage. Has its historical moment come? Many observers believe that by means of its Belt and Road Initiative China is remaking Eurasia to serve its goals. Valdai Club experts explain whether this is true and if China’s interests can be aligned with those of its neighbours.

In recent years, the term “Indo-Pacific” has been used more and more frequently. According to some analysts, it is replacing the well-established concept of the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting a new balance of power in Asia. Beijing is suspicious of the fact that the Indo-Pacific concept is being actively promoted by Washington, believing that its ultimate goal is to contain China. We investigating whether or not this is so – and whether Russia should be wary of the emergence of a new regional construct.

When a delegation of 13 presidents from the leading Iranian universities with their deputies and directors of international affairs departments came to Moscow in November 2015, few people believed the trip would open a new chapter of scientific diplomacy in long-standing bilateral ties. The first meeting of the presidents of Iranian and Russian universities, held at the initiative of Moscow State University and the University of Tehran under the skillful and open-hearted guidance of their presidents Prof. Viktor Sadovnichyi and Prof. Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi, respectively, produced a signed memorandum whereby   all the participating universities agreed to continue the dialogue and create conditions for expanding cooperation. Also, two secretariats in Tehran and Moscow assumed responsibility for monitoring issues related to the promotion of a major bilateral partnership in science of these two countries.

Today's Russia is not the Soviet Union during the Cold War, nor is China the same as it was forty years ago. The fast developing relations between China and Russia has far more strategic relevance worldwide than purely bilateral in nature, and should be appreciated as an endeavour of the two countries to grasp this historic opportunity to create a new horizon for peace and development that befits the wisdom and advancement of mankind.

Without a futuristic vision, established and managed both internally and especially between relevant institutions, it is a reality that inbuilt tensions between the Afghan government and Taliban can only be reduced if political disagreements between the US/NATO and Taliban end in an acceptable timeline and with a realistic withdrawal plan.

The Western powers have to acknowledge the rise of China and either include the country in the hegemonic core or be prepared for the emergence of a counter hegemonic power, writes David Lane, Emeritus Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge University.