US-Russia Relations in an Era of Strategic Competition
Speaker(s): Jensen, D. (USIP)
Date: 1 December 2021
Speaker Session Summary
SMA hosted a speaker session with Dr. Donald N. Jensen (Director of Russia and Strategic Stability, United States Institute of Peace [USIP]) as part of its SMA EUCOM Speaker Series.
The way in which great power competition is conducted is changing. This shift is reflected in recent research by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). USIP, which was founded during the Reagan administration to help avoid nuclear conflict during the Cold War, has since been focusing its research on how to stabilize fracturing states and manage great power competition. The current great power competition is specifically between the US, Russia, and China. To better understand how this great power competition is evolving, USIP examines China’s and Russia’s actions in both developing countries and countries of interest to the US.
USIP also examines the China-Russia relationship and pact of friendship. However, it is not only concerned with state relationships and the geopolitical makeup of regions. Dr. Jensen commented that the researchers at USIP are greatly concerned about hypersonic weapons systems. Also, technology innovation by Russia and China demonstrate the need for the US to continually develop its own new technologies and modernize its own weapons systems. Dr. Jensen also commented that the US currently does not effectively counter Russian information operations. This shortcoming by the US allows Russia to control the political dialogue in Eastern Europe.
Speaker Session Recording
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