We are a consortium of five labs: The Russia Program, CORUSCANT, RIMA, RuBase and CEDAR
U.S. Strategy and Corporate Intelligence on Russia: Navigating Risk, Strategic Opportunities, and Prospects for Long-Term Peace
This event aims to bring together American policy and corporate communities to develop new strategic visions towards Russia.
As Eurasia remains a central arena of geopolitical competition and corporate activity, Russia continues to play an important role in achievement of American interests—whether through access to its logistics, regional security, energy flows, or economic connectivity. The country presents a complex mix of risks, opportunities, and structural challenges that require a strategic approach aligned with emerging realities. What is the optimal balance between re-engagement and coercion? How should the U.S. policymakers and business weigh potential gains against risks? How do different strategies reposition Russia within the U.S.–China confrontation, the evolving relationship with the EU, and future reconstruction efforts in Ukraine? And how can equity and security be reconciled in this landscape?
As American business once again emerges as an indispensable component of diplomacy, a new strategic vision can be built through a systematic business–policy dialogue on long-term approaches to Russia. While Washington explores new tools for managing the relationship, the private sector operates daily amid complex realities—maintaining access to infrastructures, supply chains, and regional networks that remain essential for managing U.S.–Russia relations. Anchored in the shared need to reduce risk, build conditions for sustainable peace, and preserve a coherent American presence across Eurasia, this meeting strengthens the business–policy interface and helps coordinate both communities toward more aligned strategies.
As American business once again emerges as an indispensable component of diplomacy, a new strategic vision can be built through a systematic business–policy dialogue on long-term approaches to Russia. While Washington explores new tools for managing the relationship, the private sector operates daily amid complex realities—maintaining access to infrastructures, supply chains, and regional networks that remain essential for managing U.S.–Russia relations. Anchored in the shared need to reduce risk, build conditions for sustainable peace, and preserve a coherent American presence across Eurasia, this meeting strengthens the business–policy interface and helps coordinate both communities toward more aligned strategies.
Panels
Panels
1. Strategic Vision and Corporate Foresight: Interests, actors, and dilemmas
2. Security, Equity, and Stability: Opportunities, risks, and security issues
3. Business–Policy Dialogue: Improving policy, corporate planning, and diplomatic coordination.
Format: Closed-door, invitation-only, strictly off-the-record.
Date: January 20th, 12:45–6:00 PM
Location: The George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs, 1957 E St NW, Washington, DC — Lindner Commons, Room 602
Contact: Ivan Grek, Director of The Russia Program — grek@gwu.edu, LinkedIn.
Preliminary Conference Agenda
Preliminary Conference Agenda
12:45 – 1:00 PM
Welcome Coffee & Snack Bar
1:00 – 1:15 PM
Introduction: New Visions on Business in Peacemaking and Foreign Policy
Panelists:
1. Ivan Grek (Director, The Russia Program)
2. Phillip Linderman (Co-founder, The Ben Franklin Fellowship, Former U.S. Foreign Service Officer (31 years), U.S. Department of State)
1:15 – 2:40 PM
Panel I: Strategic Vision and Corporate Foresight
Interests, Actors, and Dilemmas
(10-minute presentations; 30-minute Q&A)
Discussant:
Matthew Murray (Chair, Board of Advisors, Velta Holding, Former: TNK-BP; Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa)
Panelists:
1. George Beebe (Director of Grand Strategy, Quincy Institute; Former Special Advisor for Russia and Eurasia, Office of the Vice President; Former Director of Analysis, CIA)
2. Matthew Boyse, (Senior Fellow at Hudson, Lecturer at GWU; Former Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs)
3. Laura Brank (Partner, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP), Board Director, AmCham Russia)
4. A Global Investor, pending confirmation
5. Tom Firestone (Partner, Squire Patton Boggs; Former Resident Legal Advisor US Embassy Moscow)
2:40 – 3:10 PM
Lunch
3:10 – 4:30 PM
Roundtable: Security, Equity, and Stability
Opportunities, Risks, and Challenges in Re-engagement with Russia
Discussant:
Peter Slezkine (Director, The Russia Program, Stimson Center)
1. Robert Agee (President and CEO, American Chamber of Commerce in Russia)
2. Bruce Gardner (DG-19 Investment Group; 25 years of experience in finance and logistics in Russia)
3. Robert Foresman (Former Senior Executive: UBS, Barclays Group, ING Barings
Former Advisor, World Bank Group and TMK Group)
4. Bernard Sucher (Former: Troika Dialog, Alfa Capital, ATON, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch)
5. Paul Ostling (Investor, former board member and executive of multiple Russian companies)
4:30 – 4:40 PM
Coffee Break
4:40 – 5:55 PM
Panel II: Business–Policy Dialogue
Improving Policy, Corporate Planning, and Diplomatic Coordination
Discussant:
Suren Avanesyan (Consultant, Former: Division Chief, USAID Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, National Security Council Tiger USAID Team Lead)
Panelists:
1. Department of State Official, pending confirmation
2. Ambassador Tatiana Gfoeller (Former: U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Consul General to Russia, Foreign Policy Advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff)
3. Department of State Official, pending confirmation
4. Matthew Murray (Chair, Board of Advisors, Velta Holding, Former: TNK-BP, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa)
Welcome Coffee & Snack Bar
1:00 – 1:15 PM
Introduction: New Visions on Business in Peacemaking and Foreign Policy
Panelists:
1. Ivan Grek (Director, The Russia Program)
2. Phillip Linderman (Co-founder, The Ben Franklin Fellowship, Former U.S. Foreign Service Officer (31 years), U.S. Department of State)
1:15 – 2:40 PM
Panel I: Strategic Vision and Corporate Foresight
Interests, Actors, and Dilemmas
(10-minute presentations; 30-minute Q&A)
Discussant:
Matthew Murray (Chair, Board of Advisors, Velta Holding, Former: TNK-BP; Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa)
Panelists:
1. George Beebe (Director of Grand Strategy, Quincy Institute; Former Special Advisor for Russia and Eurasia, Office of the Vice President; Former Director of Analysis, CIA)
2. Matthew Boyse, (Senior Fellow at Hudson, Lecturer at GWU; Former Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs)
3. Laura Brank (Partner, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP), Board Director, AmCham Russia)
4. A Global Investor, pending confirmation
5. Tom Firestone (Partner, Squire Patton Boggs; Former Resident Legal Advisor US Embassy Moscow)
2:40 – 3:10 PM
Lunch
3:10 – 4:30 PM
Roundtable: Security, Equity, and Stability
Opportunities, Risks, and Challenges in Re-engagement with Russia
Discussant:
Peter Slezkine (Director, The Russia Program, Stimson Center)
1. Robert Agee (President and CEO, American Chamber of Commerce in Russia)
2. Bruce Gardner (DG-19 Investment Group; 25 years of experience in finance and logistics in Russia)
3. Robert Foresman (Former Senior Executive: UBS, Barclays Group, ING Barings
Former Advisor, World Bank Group and TMK Group)
4. Bernard Sucher (Former: Troika Dialog, Alfa Capital, ATON, Bank of America/Merrill Lynch)
5. Paul Ostling (Investor, former board member and executive of multiple Russian companies)
4:30 – 4:40 PM
Coffee Break
4:40 – 5:55 PM
Panel II: Business–Policy Dialogue
Improving Policy, Corporate Planning, and Diplomatic Coordination
Discussant:
Suren Avanesyan (Consultant, Former: Division Chief, USAID Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, National Security Council Tiger USAID Team Lead)
Panelists:
1. Department of State Official, pending confirmation
2. Ambassador Tatiana Gfoeller (Former: U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Consul General to Russia, Foreign Policy Advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff)
3. Department of State Official, pending confirmation
4. Matthew Murray (Chair, Board of Advisors, Velta Holding, Former: TNK-BP, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa)
5. Robert Agee (President and CEO, American Chamber of Commerce in Russia)
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