Agnieszka Bryc, professor at the Nicholas Copernicus University in Torun and author of the book 'Russia in the 21st century, has addressed the Israel Council on Foreign Relations on the topic 'Where is Russia heading?'. Bryc noted that despite the wide media coverage of public protests against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin no significant change was in the offing in the immediate future. The absence of a strong civil society and of any viable alternative to Putin meant that the Russian leader would probably continue to retain power for the foreseeable future. She also said that notwithstanding that fact Russia would probably move closer to European Union, though it would do so through a strengthening of its bilateral relations with key EU states such as Germany and Poland.
Turning to Russia's role in the Middle East, Bryc maintained that Moscow felt especially worried by the present unrest in Syria, which was its traditional base for projecting Russian power and influence in the region. Therefore, it should be expected to do what it could to prevent a regime change. She stressed that present Russian naval activity (and the positioning of Russian warships in Syrian ports) should be seen in that context. The "loss" of Syria would be a difficult blow for the Russians.
The ICFR event, held in its Jerusalem offices, was chaired by Ambassador Mordechai Palzur, chairman of the World Jewish Congress Institute for Policy and Research under whose auspices the council operates. It was attended by a capacity audience including two former Israeli ambassadors to Russia as well as other Russia experts from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, Foreign Ministry, the Truman Institute, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, the Israel Institute for National Security Studies and the media, and a spirited discussion took place after the formal lecture. Retired Supreme Court Justice, Gabriel Bach, a member of the ICFR board, was also present.
