Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation

This distinctive book deconstructs the foundational elements of Russian foreign policy from a Russian perspective and with references to Russian sources, rather than the typical Western perspective. The author Olga Raluca Chiriac situates her work at the intersection of strategic studies and cognitive psychology, offering an analysis that goes deep into the roots of Russian strategic behavior, especially socio-cultural elements such as attitudes towards the West, language, culture. She highlights Russia’s unique decision-making process, sometimes overt and other times covert. The book aims to present a mechanism for analysis in both strategic choices and foreign policy, but it also points out that countries and nations are complicated entities, all having a particular historical experience, generational trauma, culture and traditions.

Dr. Olga R. Chiriac is a social scientist and professor of political science. Her work is situated at the intersection of psychology and security studies (decision making and strategic culture) with a special interest in military applications of cognitive sciences and political warfare. Dr. Chiriac is the Project Europe Head of Engagement with the Irregular Warfare Initiative of the Modern War Institute, at West Point and Visiting Professor at the University of Bucharest where she leads engagement for the Black Sea Program. She is affiliated as an Associated Researcher with the Joint Special Operations University in Tampa, Florida and the Economic Conflict & Competition Research Group (ECCRG) at Kings College.