Vladimir Bartenev’s participation in the MSU SWP Student Research Association’s 2019 Syrian Series. Round 2

During the first part of the event, Dr. Bartenev reiterated and explained a set of common principles of extracting information from the policymakers’ official statements and interviews. He demonstrated both opportunities and constraints that researchers face in using these types of sources in examining internationalized internal conflicts. The key aim was to overcome existing stereotypes regarding Russian and the U.S.’ perceptions of the parties in Syrian conflict, its internal logics and dynamics that keep being  reproduced in the mass media and even in certain experts’ commentaries. 

The second part was meant to let SRA members apply new skills. The students were asked to reinstate the argumentation used by the Russian and US Presidents to justify their position towards the Syrian government and opposition at the initial phase of the conflict and present it in the most concise form. Dr. Bartenev then provided his feedback.

The second round was organized a training session. In the third round of the Syrian Series the students organized in two teams will be able to apply the acquired skills and knowledge to investigating later phases of the Syrian conflict where the differences in perceptions and political decisions by the key extraregional actors in the region – the Russian Federation and the United States – became even more prominent.