The death of Russian political activist and freedom rights campaigner Alexei Navalny stunned the world for its open brazenness at the hands of Vladimir Putin and his government. There is little doubt that Putin was responsible for Navalny’s death, although a Russian court of law will no doubt never adjudicate on the manner. Navalny’s death leaves Russia without a significant opposition leader, but how much of an impact will it have on Putin’s regime and Russia’s relationship, if there is still one that can be called that, with the US and its Western allies? It is not only a great tragedy for his immediate family, friends and supporters but also serves as an inflexion point at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and the West, with the prospects of victory for either side in Russia’s war with Ukraine still in the balance.
Over Here, Over There is honoured to discuss the impact of Navalny’s death on Russia and the West with Dr Neil MacFarlane, former Head of Politics and International Relations at Oxford University and an expert on Russian foreign policy and the regional dynamics of the former Soviet Union. Dr. MacFarlane’s academic career included positions in the United States and Canada. Beyond Oxford, among many other posts, he was a Faculty Associate of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy and held a visiting appointment at the College of Europe in Bruges.
Please join us for an engaging and informative conversation with Dr MacFarlane and insight into what lies ahead for Putin and his regime’s relationship with the West.