Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates “Should We Isolate Russia?”

As punishment for Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, most of Russia’s energy imports to Europe and the United States will be banned by the end of the year, along with sweeping sanctions that target banks, businesses, and oligarchs. Is that smart policy? Those who argue “yes” say Russia must be punished for its actions, democratic governments should be protected, and that accommodations only embolden Moscow. Those who argue “no” say isolating the Kremlin to this extent is a dangerous gamble, which could undermine Western economies, push Russia further toward China, and lay the groundwork for an escalation. In a debate held in partnership with the German Marshall Fund, Intelligence Squared U.S. holds a debate on the question “Should We Isolate Russia?” streaming live from the Brussels Forum on Tuesday, June 28.

Arguing Yes will be former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, author of recent New York Times best-seller ‘Cold War to Hot Peace’, and Bulgarian politician Radan Kanev, a Member of European Parliament. Arguing No will be Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Emma Ashford, whose work focuses on questions of grand strategy, international security, and the future of U.S. foreign policy, and economist Jonas Shaende, who grew up in the Soviet Union and studies international economic relations and monetary systems.

The “Should We Isolate Russia?” debate will be streaming live on Tuesday, June 28 at 12:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM CEST from the German Marshall Fund’s Brussels Forum, then air soon after on the syndicated public radio show and podcast "Intelligence Squared U.S." Media can email raypadgett@shorefire.com for access to the live stream.

FOR THE MOTION - BIOS

* Michael McFaul: Former US Ambassador to Russia
Michael McFaul is an American diplomat and scholar. In 2009, he joined the Obama administration in the National Security Council working on issues related to Russian and Eurasian affairs and later served as the U.S. Ambassador to Russia from 2012 to 2014. He is the author of several books, most recently the New York Times bestseller “Cold War to Hot Peace.” McFaul is currently on faculty at Stanford University and is writing a new book on great power relations in the 21st century.

* Radan Kanev: Bulgarian Politician & Member of European Parliament 
Radan Kanev is a Bulgarian politician, lawyer, and Member of European Parliament. He began his political career as one of the founders of Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria (DSB). Since then, he has had several political posts in the country and was elected to European Parliament as a representative of the recently founded "Democratic Bulgaria" coalition in 2019. Kanev has also worked as an attorney, a partner and managing partner at several law firms, and a trademark representative for the Bulgarian patent office and the EUIPO.

AGAINST THE MOTION - BIOS

* Emma Ashford: Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council 
Emma Ashford is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's New American Engagement Initiative, which focuses on challenging the prevailing assumptions governing U.S. foreign policy and seeks to develop effective solutions that preserve America’s security and prosperity. Ashford's work focuses on questions of grand strategy, international security, and the future of U.S. foreign policy. She has expertise in the politics of Russia, Europe, and the Middle East. She is also a nonresident fellow at the Modern War Institute at West Point. Ashford writes the biweekly column, "It's Debatable," for Foreign Policy.

* Jonas Shaende: International Economist 
Jonas Shaende is an American economist who grew up in the Soviet Union. As an academic, his scholarship has focused on international economic relations and monetary systems. This includes teaching advanced economics, globalization, and international trade courses at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and CUNY and SUNY colleges in New York. Shaende is a frequent economics commentator, particularly on Russian-language media. He has held senior appointments in New York government and currently serves as chief economist of the Fiscal Policy Institute.

ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED U.S. DEBATES (IQ2US)
Intelligence Squared U.S. (IQ2US) was founded to address a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. Through its award-winning live debates and associated programming, the nonprofit company serves as a model for responsible media in a new age - fair, intelligent, nonpartisan - while restoring critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to public discourse. Recently recognized as "Best Podcast Event of 2020" by Adweek, Intelligence Squared U.S. reaches millions through multi-platform distribution, including public radio (the show airs in all top 25 markets that carry specials), podcasts, video live streaming, newsletters, interactive digital content, and on-demand apps including Roku and Apple TV. With over 190 Oxford-style debates and counting, plus additional podcast and video content, IQ2US has encouraged the public to "think twice" on a wide range of provocative topics for over a decade. Author and ABC News correspondent John Donvan has moderated since 2008.

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ABOUT THE GERMAN MARSHALL FUND
The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a non-partisan policy organization committed to the idea that the United States and Europe are stronger together. GMF champions the principles of democracy, human rights, and international cooperation, which have served as the bedrock of peace and prosperity since the end of World War II, but are under increasing strain. 

GMF works on issues critical to transatlantic interests in the 21st century, including the future of democracy, security and geopolitics, alliances and the rise of China, and technology and innovation. By drawing on and fostering a community of people with diverse life experiences and political perspectives, GMF pursues its mission by driving the policy debate through cutting-edge analysis and convening, fortifying civil society, and cultivating the next generation of leaders on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Founded by Guido Goldman (November 4, 1937 – November 30, 2020) in 1972 through a gift from Germany as a tribute to the Marshall Plan, GMF is headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in Berlin, Brussels, Ankara, Belgrade, Bucharest, Paris, and Warsaw.