Dear Friends,

We are all reeling today from the shock that Steve Cohen is no longer with us.

What an incalculable loss to the U.S.-Russia field of expertise at a time when we most need Steve’s sane, seasoned voice coming to us from decades of his distilled wisdom.

Upon hearing of Steve’s passing, I instinctively went to my shelves and pulled down the book, “Stephen Cohen, the Soviet Union and Russia”, the front cover of which shows Steve and Katerina, decades younger, standing with the Kremlin wall in the background. This is a book of tributes and comments by Steve’s Russian colleagues. It is very telling that he was/is so honored by Russians and Americans alike.

No one can fill Steve’s shoes, but all of us can redouble our efforts to get back to Russia today, to do the type of sleuth work between cultures for which Steve was known. We can take up his mission to insist that Americans forego propaganda and become aware of the great need to be better informed on relations between our two countries before it is too late.

Nothing would be more fitting to Steve’s memory than if his passing could stimulate a new wave of Americans seriously exploring rapprochement between our two nations.

Let us ponder in this direction and plan accordingly,

Sharon Tennison
Center for Citizen Initiatives

Dear CCI Readers,

Anatol Lieven, a respected PhD analyst of world affairs, makes the case that we in America totally lost perspective in the 1990’s and 2000’s… which has catapulted us into a chain of near impossible circumstances today. Does anyone see a way out? Ponder and share potential solutions if you see any.

Sharon Tennison
Center for Citizen Initiatives

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Dear CCI Followers,

I had to look up the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) when this report from Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, showed up on my screen. If you are as behind the curve as I am, here is a quick explanation. In 2001, the SCO was put together by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Since then, India and Pakistan have become members. Their goals are to promote cooperation, coordination against terrorism and external threats and to maintain regional peace and stability. The SCO is the largest regional organization in the world, covering 3/5th of the Eurasian continent and nearly half of the world’s population.

Check the underlines below for basic humanitarian intentions of the SCO.

Skimming through the Q&A below, I’m struck with the importance of the last question and Lavrov’s answer.

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CCI Friends and Followers,

Rumors and disinformation are the political norm today. The “Blame Putin narrative” is the most dangerous one being currently pushed. Watching Putin closely, there is nothing to indicate ill will; if anything, he shows restraint when attacked.

I don’t know Philip Giraldi, an 18-year-CIA operative, but he covers the topics below that need to be addressed regarding the Navalny poisoning case and others in the past.

Until we Americans are better informed on issues manufactured in Washington, grave danger of moving toward confrontation is risked. Given the speed of missiles fired these days, a world-wide nuclear exchange could happen in seconds … creating a nuclear winter from which none would survive. Is this clear to you?

Please read and forward this email to as many Americans as possible. Even at this late date, we must find a way toward a less dangerous future … our children and grandchildren deserve better!

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Dear CCI Followers,

Please read carefully the latest from former Colonel Andrew Bacevich, now the President of the new Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. He hits the “nail on the head” regarding our challenging and dangerous situation.

Sharon Tennison
Center for Citizen Initiatives

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