Russia and its sphere of influence have long been the focus of American public diplomacy, and remain a relative bastion of such efforts today, when funding elsewhere have been slashed. In recent years, Russia has also been trying its hand at 'Soft Power,' and yet Joseph Nye--who coined the term in 1990--recently wrote an article in Foreign Policy magazine entitled 'What China and Russia Don't Get About Soft Power.' As Ambassador to the Russian Federation (2008-2012) and to Bulgaria (2005-2008), as well as in previous stints in Moscow John Beyrle was a proponent of American cultural diplomacy, and a great specialist on not only Eastern-European politics, but the region's culture. This event will explore what works and what doesn't in the region and why cultural diplomacy matters. The conversation will be moderated by Anna Winestein, Visiting Researcher at the Center for the Study of Europe and Executive Director of the Ballets Russes Cultural Partnership.
This event is organized by the The Ballets Russes Cultural Partnership (www.ballets-russes.com) and co-presented with the Center for the Study of Europe.
John Ross Beyrle, a career Foreign Service Officer and specialist in Russian and Eastern European affairs, was Ambassador of the United States to the Russian Federation from July 3, 2008 until January 10, 2012, when he was succeeded by Michael McFaul. He was Ambassador to Bulgaria 2005 - 2008. Beyrle was Ambassador in Moscow during the "reset" of Russian-American relationship, which saw the signing of the New START arms control treaty, agreement on peaceful uses of nuclear energy, Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization, and liberalized visa formalities for American and Russian travelers. Amb. Beyrle retired from the State Department in July 2012 with the rank of Career Minister, the diplomatic equivalent of a three-star general. He serves on the Board of Directors of the US-Russia Foundation and provides consulting services on Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and other countries of the former Soviet Union.
