Media
Media Coverage of the U.S.-Russia Civil Society Summit:
“Statement by National Security Advisor General James L. Jones on International Human Rights Day (12/10/2009).” General Jones references the Civil Society Summit in Moscow as an example of President Obama engaging with citizens in this statement. December 10, 2009.
“Russian/U.S. NGO Leaders Seek New Ways to Work Together.” Sarah Mendelson and the U.S.-Russia Civil Society Summit are featured in this Mott Foundation news piece. October 16, 2009.
“Analysts Weigh Obama's Global Human Rights Policies.” Sarah Mendelson discusses the civil society summit and human rights in Russia in this interview on CNN with Christian Amanpour. October 14, 2009.
“Lecturing and wagging a finger is not our style - Michael McFaul.” Michael McFaul, Obama’s top adviser on Russia, discusses the civil society summit as a model for future non-governmental engagement in this Interfax interview. October 13, 2009.
“U.S. must stick by Russian human-rights activists while mending Russian relations.” Lara Iglitzin, executive director of the Seattle-based Henry M. Jackson Foundation, calls for continued U.S.support for human rights activists in Russia, citing Obama’s appearance at the civil society summit as a good first step. August 3, 2009.
“Obama Surprises Russia.” Former State Duma deputy Vladimir Ryzhkov writes that “no U.S. president has ever spent so much time meeting with Russian civil society as Obama did” during his Moscow trip, in this Moscow Times op-ed. July 10, 2009.
“NGO Activist Says US Leader Favors Low-Key Approach to Democratization” (Russian language). Yelena Panfilova, general director of Transparency International’s Center for Anti-Corruption Research and Initiatives, discusses Obama’s appearance at the civil society summit in this interview with Politkom.ru. July 10, 2009.
“During his visit to Moscow, President Obama didn’t just meet with bureaucrats and businessmen.” (Russian language) Day two of President Obama’s Moscow trip, including his visit to the civil society summit, is discussed in this Novaya Gazeta article. July 10, 2009.
“Idea of the Day: Links between U.S. and Russian Civil Society Groups.” The Center for American Progress features Sarah Mendelson and the core principle underlying the civil society summit in this “Idea of the Day.” July 10, 2009.
“Obama talks spur rights call by Russian activists.” The civil society summit and its recommendations presented to President Obama are described in this Reuters story. July 8, 2009.
“President Speaks of U.S. Humility to Opposition.” President Obama’s remarks at the civil society summit and participant reactions are discussed in this article in the Moscow Times. July 8, 2009.
“U.S., Russia Relations Face Challenges.” Obama’s appearance at the civil society summit is included in this story for NPR’s Morning Edition. July 8, 2009.
“In Russia, Obama's Limited Reach.” Masha Lipman, editor of the Carnegie Moscow Center's Pro et Contra, discusses Obama’s visit with non-government groups in Moscow and the challenge of actually reaching the Russian public in this Washington Post column. July 8, 2009.
“Obama-Russian summit heads for the history books.” Obama’s statement at the civil society summit that "not only do we need a reset between the U.S. and Russian governments, but we need a fresh start between our two societies" is quoted in this article in USAToday. July 7, 2009.
“Human Rights First Statement Following President Obama's Remarks at the American, Russian Civil Society Shadow Summit.” July 7, 2009.
“Obama Resets Ties to Russia, but Work Remains.” Obama’s appearance at the civil society summit is discussed in this article in the New York Times. July 7, 2009.
“Obama's Low-Key Push in Russia.” The civil society summit is mentioned among Obama’s stops during his trip to Moscow in this Washington Post story. July 7, 2009.
“The Tide is Turning.” Excerpts from Obama’s remarks at the civil society summit are featured in this video clip from Russia Today. July 7, 2009.
“U.S. wants strong but democratic Russia: Obama.” Remarks by President Obama to the civil society summit are quoted in this AFP story. July 7, 2009.
“Obama: U.S. wants strong, peaceful Russia.” Obama’s remarks at the civil society summit are mentioned in this CNN story. July 7, 2009.
“Obama: U.S., Russia Not Destined to Be Enemies.” Obama’s meeting with “a diverse collection of civil society leaders from both countries” is discussed in this AP article. July 7, 2009.
“On Second Day Of Visit, Obama Addresses Civil Society Issues In Russia.” The second day of Obama’s Moscow trip, including his appearance at the civil society summit, is discussed in this RFL/RL story. July 7, 2009.
“Obama, Putin Hold Private Talks in Russia.” This article in The Huffington Post mentions the civil society parallel summit. July 7, 2009.
“Obama Appeals for Stronger Partnership with Russia.” The civil society summit is mentioned among Obama’s Moscow stops in this broadcast of PBS’s News Hour. July 7, 2009.
“Opposition Promises Not to Complain: U.S. President Barack Obama will Meet with the Russian Opposition.” Russian participants in the civil society forum are quoted in this article in Gazeta. July 7, 2009.
“U.S., Russia agree to missile cuts, but tensions remain.” Sarah Mendelson is quoted arguing that U.S. leaders should make the most of this “unique moment” in U.S.-Russia relations in this McClatchy story. July 6, 2009.
“Russian civil society leaders to appeal to Obama.” President Obama’s visit to the civil society summit is discussed in this Reuters story. July 6, 2009.
“U.S./Russia Summit: President Obama in Moscow.” Sarah Mendelson appears on NBC’s Today Show discussing Obama’s image in Russia. July 6, 2009.
“Russian rights activists seek Obama's ear.” Sarah Mendelson discusses the summit at which Obama will meet with civil society leaders from both countries in this AP article. July 6, 2009.
“Medvedev Decides not to join Obama and Meet with his own Civil Society.” (Russian language) This article provides a review of the Russian press’ reactions to President Obama’s two-day visit to Moscow, including his stop at the civil society summit. NewsRu.com. July 6, 2009.
“Obama: US, Russia not destined to be adversaries.” President Obama’s plans to meet with civil society leaders at the parallel summit are discussed in this AP story. July 6, 2009.
“Obama Arrives in Moscow for Talks With Medvedev, Putin.” Sarah Mendelson is quoted discussing Russian perceptions of Obama during his Moscow visit in this article in VOA. July 6, 2009.
“Obama in Moscow for Nuclear Talks.” The BBC includes Obama’s meeting with civil society leaders in its list of stops during is Moscow trip. July 6, 2009.
“Keeping Human Rights on The U.S.-Russian Table.” Sarah Mendelson is interviewed from Moscow on NPR’s Weekend Edition on the eve of the civil society summit. July 5, 2009.
“Obama's visit to Russia stirs hope for a renewed partnership.” Obama’s meeting with civil society leaders is listed among his main stops during his Moscow trip in this article in the Christian Science Monitor. July 5, 2009.
“Russia to Open Airspace to U.S. for Afghan War.” Sarah Mendelson is quoted in this article in the New York Times. July 4, 2009.
“Obama Seeks New Start With Russia.” NPR’s Scott Horsley includes Obama’s meeting with civil society leaders in his preview of the two day Moscow trip in this broadcast of NPR’s All Things Consider. July 5, 2009.
“Will U.S.-Russia Summit Finally Begin 'Reset'?” Sarah Mendelson discusses the July Moscow summit saying "The focus is really to try and give both the Russian government but also Russian society a platform to be able to see if there is the possibility of a new and different relationship," in this RFE/RL story. July 2, 2009.
“Obama’s NGO Visit.” (Russian language) Andrei Kortunov, president of the New Eurasia Foundation and co-host of the civil society summit, explains why President Obama will meet with representatives of Russian NGOs in an interview with Radio Svoboda. July 2, 2009.
“Leading Russian, U.S. NGOs to Hold Forum in Moscow During Obama's Visit.” Interfax reports on plans for the civil society summit in this article. June 26, 2009.
“A Possible Trap Awaits Obama in Moscow.” Lilia Shevtsova, a senior associate at the Carnegie Moscow Center, discusses the importance of Obama reaching out beyond the Kremlin during his Moscow trip in this op-ed for the Moscow Times. June 22, 2009.
