The perceived threat posed to Russia from so-called coloured revolutions – popular uprisings attributed by Moscow to malign sponsorship by external forces – has become a central theme in Russian security discourse. This talk will explore Russian perceptions of the threat from coloured revolutions, using the concept of strategic culture as a framework to analyse these perceptions. It will look at how coloured revolutions came to be characterised as a specific threat to national security and how they continue to shape Russian thinking about the changing character of conflict, reflecting continuities in Russian strategic assumptions about adversaries and how they seek to achieve their national objectives.

Dr Tracey German is a Professor of Conflict and Security in the Defence Studies Department at King’s College London. Her research focuses on Russian foreign and security policies, particularly Russia’s use of force in the post-Soviet space. She is currently working on a book that explores Russian views of the changing character of conflict.

NB The Week 7 Monday Seminar will be a hybrid event. It will take place in person in the Nissan Lecture Theatre, St Antony’s College – but it will also be possible to attend on Zoom.

REES and other Oxford students plus staff may attend in person without registering. Others who would like to attend either in person or on Zoom are invited to email:

resc-webinar@sant.ox.ac.uk

All who would like to attend in person are reminded of OSGA guidelines

• Attendees are reminded of the guidance to test twice weekly
• Attendees are told not to attend the event if they have symptoms of COVID-19                    
• Attendees are advised to wear face coverings during the event, unless exempt                
• Attendees are encouraged to respect social spacing as far as possible                                    
• Attendees are reminded to use hand sanitisation facilities regularly