Join the George Washington Elliott School of International Affairs Book Launch Series and the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies for a book talk with Marlene Laruelle on her recent book, "Is Russia Fascist?"

In "Is Russia Fascist?" (Cornell University Press), author Marlene Laruelle argues that the charge of "fascism" has become a strategic narrative of the current world order. Vladimir Putin's regime has increasingly been accused of embracing fascism, supposedly evidenced by Russia's annexation of Crimea, its historical revisionism, attacks on liberal democratic values and its support for far-right movements in Europe. But at the same time, Russia has branded itself as the world's preeminent antifascist power because of its sacrifices during the Second World War, while emphasizing how opponents to the Soviet Union in Central and Eastern Europe collaborated with Nazi Germany.

By labeling ideological opponents as fascist, regardless of their actual values or actions, geopolitical rivals are able to frame their own vision of the world and claim the moral high ground. Through a detailed examination of the Russian domestic scene and the Kremlin's foreign policy rationales, Laruelle disentangles the foundation for, meaning and validity of accusations of fascism in and around Russia.

Registration is requested; information can be found at this link.

Speakers:

Marlene Laruelle, director, Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies; director, Illiberalism Studies Program; co-director, PONARS Eurasia; research professor of international affairs, George Washington University