Branch Meeting: Clash of the Titans. Major Geostrategic Lessons of the Forgotten War in Russia

Hosted by: WA Branch

The event will start on: Tuesday, 26 October 2010 6:00 PM

And will end on: Tuesday, 26 October 2010 8:00 PM

At St Catherine’s College

2 Park Road , Nedlands Western Australia

Posted by: wa   

Clash of the Titans: Major Geostrategic Lessons of the Forgotten War in Russia 65 Years Later

On 2 May 1945 the Red Army captured the capital of Nazi Germany Berlin, effectively ending hostilities in the European strategic theatre. The fall of Berlin was the last battle of an unprecedented four year campaign fought on Europe’s Eastern front, which profoundly changed the cause of war in Europe and served as a catalyst for the demise of the Nazi alliance and the eventual fall of the Third Reich. Yet, 65 years later this war within the war remains perceived as an historical event of secondary strategic significance. Still, the European part of World War Two (WWII), particularly the fight between Nazi Germany and the USSR (described by the Russians as the Great Patriotic War of 1941–45) highlighted trends and tendencies, which reflected the nature of East-West strategic relations over the next fifty years. Some of these trends continue to exist. This presentation will review the Soviet WWII role and critically examine trends that reflected broader East-West strategic power plays. The talk will offer an opportunity to re-assess current strategic relations of major powers, particularly Russian and the United States, as well as matters of contemporary and future conflicts.

Dr Alexey D. Muraviev is an award winning senior lecturer in international relations and national security with over 40 publications to his credit. He is accepted by the Australian Research Council as an “expert of international standing”, member of the Russia-NATO Experts Group, member of the Australian member Committee, Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, and other professional bodies. He has provided advice to members of governments, served as a consultant to national security agencies and has frequently been interviewed by Australian and International media