Russia Matters Project

Russia Matters is a project launched in 2016 by Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and made possible with support from Carnegie Corporation and Stanton Foundation. The project’s main aim is to improve the understanding of Russia and the U.S-Russian relationship among America’s policymakers and concerned public. It does so by showcasing the best expertise on Russia and its relationships with the rest of the world by providing top-notch analysis, relevant factual data and related digests of news and analysis. The specific aims of Russia Matters are to help: U.S. policymakers and the general public gain a better understand­ing of why and how Russia matters to the United States now and in the foresee­able future and what drivers propel the two countries’ policies in areas of mutual concern; Ensure that U.S. policies toward Russia are conducive to the advancement of long-term U.S. vital national interests, but that they also improve cooperation in areas where interests converge and mitigate friction in areas of divergence; Foster a new generation of Russia experts. Russia Matters likewise endeavors to build bridges between academe and the policymaking community. It is our sincere hope that this endeavor will help advance a viable, analytically rigorous U.S. policy on Russia guided by realism, verifiable facts and national interests without sacrificing opportunities for bilateral cooperation. Project Team Graham Allison, Principal Investigator, member of the Russia Matters Editorial Board Simon Saradzhyan, Founding Director Natasha Yefimova-Trilling, Editor Angelina Flood, Editorial Assistant/Web Coordinator Student Associates NB: Employees listed on LinkedIn company pages are self-designated. All current and former Russia Matters associates can be found on our About page: Any individual listed on the LinkedIn page but not on the official About page is NOT affiliated with Russia Matters.