New Challenges for the German Security Policy - IFSH

of the liberty order not to be sacrificed for security reasons and the protection of civil liberty laws
facing the danger of being sacrificed for security reasons. Dension stated
three main cultural and political values formed by the United States in its
history: First the belief that only limited state power is good state power,
second the freedom to preferring cooperation and coalition for practical
reasons rather than treaties under international law, and third economical
pragmatism, a world theatre as marketplace for gaining profit.
Transatlantic relationship gives limited opportunity to Europeans to influence
US policy. Dr. Denison illustrated, that strong economical bindings are a
common ground, although there are some communication problems leading
to misunderstandings. To prevent a friction between Europe and America in
the long run political burdens have to be borne and shared commonly. A
more explicit affirmation of US policy could consolidate the decreased
European influence, at the same time Europe should increasingly focus its policy on the world
outside the continent. The challenges of the 21 th century could only be faced together by Europe and
the United States.
In the following discussion the sustainability of US policy, especially with regard to the
proliferation crisis in Iran, the post war situation in Iraq and the vision of US administrators of a
united Europe, which is not the same as in Europe itself, and the political
power of the military economical complex were discussed briefly.
Dr. Aschot Manutscharjan:
The Russian Foreign- and Security Policy
April 24, 2006, Gustav-Stresemann-Institut, Bonn.
Dr. Manutscharjan, born citizen of the former part of the Soviet
Union Armenia, works as freelance journalist for several
scientific and well known journals and newspapers. He gave a
speech about the Russian foreign and security policy. With his
directly connected view to historical and recent developments in
Russia he spoke not only about scientific values but also about
his personal experience and observations within the breakdown
of the Sowjet Union and the development of the Russian Policy.
Irakli Sesiashvili, Dr. Marcel Dickow
At first he provided information about the historical development of Russia in the 1990ies. He
analysed the circumstances of the end of the Cold War and the relations between the Western and
the Eastern World. Thereby he described various political frictions of the breakdown of the Soviet
Union and the formation of the so called east-block countries.
Furthermore he concentrated on the Russian policy of the last 15 years and focused on the political
leadership of Vladimir Putin and additionally the political, social and economic development of the
Russia in that context. Accordingly, the speaker took a closer look to the political relations between
Russia and the United States of America by turning his attention to the interests - in the broadest
sense - of both countries in the Middle East .
During the speech of Mr. Manutscharjan, his audience questioned him about various points in his
explanations, especially about the future perspectives and possible developments of Russia and its
policy. Overall the speech of Mr Manutscharjan was very informative and clearly structured. He
covered the topic with his personal experiences as a journalist and citizen. Students liked most that
he was talking plain language. The students learned to develop a critical view towards the Russian
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