Russia has decided at long last to open in the West its own analytical center – something that is often referred to as a think tank -- that goes under the generic name of the “Institute for Democracy and Cooperation.” This should have been done ten or fifteen years ago, but in the difficult transition years Russia had obviously plenty of other things to worry about.

Having noted with satisfaction that it is better late than never, it would be interesting to find out what exactly these centers are intending to do. So far there have been no coherent answers to this question, only speculation and malicious comment from ill-wishers. The commonest view is that this is the Kremlin’s “tit” for the “tat” of excessive criticism of Russia’s “sovereign democracy” and interference by the West, above all by the United States, in Russia’s internal affairs. Critical public statements by the American  officials, media and NGOs as well as U.S. funding of various Russian oppositionist organizations have been irritating Moscow for a long time and finally Empire decided to strike back.

The ideological moving spirit of the project, Anatoly Kucherena – a lawyer with the Public Chamber, - is credited with the following definition: “the Institute branches are to study the Western socio-political system and offer recommendations for its improvement.”

If so, one can predict with confidence that nothing good will come of it. At best, it will be just a waste of time and money; at worst it will involve an increase in the propaganda warfare with the United States without the slightest hope of victory.

Admittedly, the US has a host of problems, including in matters of democracy and human rights. That is why America has thousands of state and non-governmental organizations to guard the interests of those US citizens whose rights are encroached upon. It is quite unlikely that a modest Russian agency in New York can make any substantial contribution to this process. Russia may, of course, score a few points in the propaganda contest, but this is pretty cold comfort. Suffice it to recall the unfortunate Soviet experience, when huge sums of money were squandered on similar undertakings with most disappointing results.

At the same time, the Institute for Democracy and Cooperation could prove fairly useful for Russia if its staff focused less on improving Western democracy and more on matters of cooperation with the United States.

I would include the following items on the tentative list of the Institute’s tasks:

Providing the US public and politicians with comprehensive and objective information about major developments and events occurring in Russia, by using the following methods:

- regular mailing of press releases to US media, state agencies, think tanks and non-governmental organizations engaged in foreign-policy issues.
- publication of materials in US media; radio and television appearances airing expert opinion.
- regular seminars, conferences, and briefings involving prominent US and Russian officials and experts.
- publication and distribution of literature in English, and development of  websites dedicated to U.S. - Russian relations.

2. Creating data base for potential U.S. – Russia cooperation projects and searching for partners to implement them.
3. Internship opportunities in U.S. for Russian students majoring in international affairs.
4. Regular meetings with US congressmen and senior government officials.
5. Grants to US scholars interested in Russia.

Obviously, this is but a preliminary sketch that requires additions and corrections, but it defines a certain vector which, in my view, would make this entity an important player in international politics.

In conclusion I would like to say that if the work of the Institute is to be efficacious, its headquarters must be in Washington, not New York. New York, as we all know, is primarily a business and cultural center, while politics is made in Washington.

However, those who create and fund this entity may have other goals and objectives that we are unaware of, for which New York is perhaps better suited. I do not suppose this is a state secret, so it is bound to come out sooner or later. When it does, our thinking on these matters can be more specific.