Political scientist Alexander Rar: biography, activities and books

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:55

Alexander Glebovich Rahr is one of the best-known Western experts on Russia-related issues. He directs the work of the Bertolt Beitz Center at the German Foreign Policy Council, funded by Deutsche Bank. The life story of Alexander Rahr is rather unusual: the famous expert and international journalist was born in Taiwan, has Russian roots and German citizenship. The leaders of states are interested in his opinion, since it objectively reflects the situation. For his contribution to the development of Russian-German relations, Rahr received the highest award from Germany and was awarded the title of honorary professor at MGIMO.

Emigration to the B altics

Alexander Rar was born into a family of first-wave emigrants who left their country after the revolution and civil war. His grandfather came from the merchant class. For this reason, the communist authorities recognized the Rarov family as hostile to the new order and expelled her from the country. Alexander Rar's father's name was Gleb Alexandrovich. He was born in Moscow, but left with his parents forB altic States, where he spent his childhood. In Latvia, Gleb Rar graduated from high school.

Emigration to Germany

After the arrival of the Red Army in the B altic States, the Rars faced a difficult choice. From the side of the Soviet authorities, repressions inevitably awaited them. The Rahrs were eligible to emigrate to Germany due to their German roots, but had no sympathy for the Nazi regime. Ultimately, the decision was made. They moved to Germany, but refused to receive German citizenship. Gleb Rar studied to be an architect and actively participated in the activities of the Orthodox community of Russian emigrants. Two years before the end of World War II, he was arrested for anti-Hitler propaganda. Gleb Rar was imprisoned in several concentration camps. He was liberated by American troops.

Working in Taiwan

In 1957, Gleb Rar married Sofya Orekhova, the daughter of a White Guard officer, widely known among Russian emigrants. Together, the couple went to Taiwan. Gleb Rar received an offer to work there at a radio station that broadcast to the territory of the Soviet Union. The main purpose of her activities was to conduct anti-communist propaganda. In 1959, the couple had a son, Alexander Glebovich Rahr. The biography of the family largely predetermined his fate.

Education

In 1980, Alexander Rahr entered the University of Munich, where he studied the history of Eastern Europe and political science. He managed to feel the approach of an era of change in the Soviet Union earlier than others. In 1986 there wasThe first book written by Alexander Rahr was published. The biography of Mikhail Gorbachev saw the light when the Soviet empire still seemed indestructible. Rahr in his book called the last General Secretary of the CPSU "a new man." Education at the University of Munich continued until 1988. Then Alexander Rar was invited to work at Radio Liberty as an expert on the Soviet Union.

Contacts with Russia

The first visit to their historical homeland took place in 1990. Rahr's visit to the USSR was organized by a group of people's deputies. He got the opportunity to meet and interact with some of the important political figures of the time. In particular, Rahr had a personal meeting with Boris Yeltsin. Since then, the closeness of the Western expert and journalist to Russian power circles has become one of the reasons for his popularity.

Career

In the early 90s, as a political scientist, Alexander Rahr was engaged in research work at the Institute of East and West in the USA. After returning to Germany, he became director of the center for Russia and Eurasia. Cooperation with this expert and analytical organization founded by the German Foreign Policy Council continued until 2012. Leaving his job at the research center, Rahr took up the position of consultant to the largest German energy company Wintershall. In addition, he directs the activities of several organizations that aim to develop Russian-German relations. In 2015, Alexander Rahr became an advisorPJSC "Gazprom" on European issues.

Valdai Club

In 2004, an international organization was created to ensure an open dialogue between Western experts and the Russian political elite. The discussion platform got its name after the first conference held in Veliky Novgorod near Lake Valdai. Rahr has been a member of this international club since its inception. As part of this discussion platform, he personally met with President Vladimir Putin.

Books

Over the past two decades, Rahr has been the author of several analytical works on the topic of relations between Russia and the West. The main idea, which he repeatedly emphasized in his writings, is the need for constructive cooperation. According to the political scientist, Russia is an integral part of European civilization.