Bringing Russian and American citizens together in Peace since 1983.
Dear Friends,
Yet another VIP speaks out regarding Professor Steve Cohen’s preeminence in the field of Russian history and U.S.-Russia relations. Bill Bradley, a friend of Cohen’s for years, was a U.S. Senator in addition to being a Presidential Candidate in 2000.
It’s clear from the long list of eulogies that America’s expert voice regarding U.S.-Russia relations will be acutely missed in the months and years ahead.
Dear CCI Followers,
Caitlin Johnstone is fast becoming the straight-forward, fearless spokesperson regarding the latest Cold War with Russia. She is abrupt and scathing with those to the left and right in the political spectrum.
Persons of her audacity have the power to wake others up! Please pass this article to your friends and ask for their reactions.
I’m taking the next week off, will return in early October. More to follow later!
Sharon Tennison
Center for Citizen Initiatives
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
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.