Mikhail Zygar on Putin’s vision for the world
Venue
The University of Queensland School of Languages and Cultures invites you to attend 'Mikhail Zygar on Putin’s vision for the world'.
In this presentation, prominent US-based Russian author and analyst Mikhail Zygar examines what Russian President Putin seeks for Russia’s future, for his own legacy, and how he intends to go about achieving it.
"Vladimir Putin has long been seen as the world's chief wrecker of international order and stability. But what is his global vision, and of Russia’s place in it?
If his behaviour is any guide, Putin has sought to use tools favoured by old imperialists, as well as new and emerging ones. These enhance his ability to coerce others, and subvert the resilience of nations he regards as hostile to his own fortunes. His tactics range from the use of extreme violence to political warfare, the silencing of dissent, and preferring a world in which the major decisions are made only in the most powerful capitals of the world.
Putin therefore embodies a fundamental challenge: how should those nations like Australia that favour order and law most effectively inoculate themselves from Russian influence, and how should they seek to push back?"
Event details
Date: Thursday 27 March 2025
Time: 5:30pm for 5:45–6:45pm, followed by light refreshments 6:45–7:45pm
Location: River Room, Customs House, 399 Queen Street, Brisbane City
Enquiries: engagement@hass.uq.edu.au
This is a free public lecture and all are welcome to attend.
Guest speaker
Mikhail Zygar
Mikhail Zygar is a writer, journalist and filmmaker described by the New York Times as “one of Russia’s smartest and best-sourced young journalists”. He worked for Newsweek Russia before becoming founding editor-in-chief of Russia’s only independent news TV channel, Dozhd (TVRain), which provided an alternative to Kremlin-controlled federal TV channels and gave a platform to opposition voices.
Zygar won the International Press Freedom Award in 2014 and over the past few years has openly protested against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
He is the author of All the Kremlin’s Men, a #1 bestseller in Russia that has been translated into over 20 languages and was called one of “9 books that can help you understand Russia right now” by Time magazine. His new book, War and Punishment, tells the story of how the Russian Empire has oppressed Ukraine since the 17th century and was named a New Yorker book of the year in 2024.