Political scientist Alexander Rahr: biography, activities and books

Alexander Glebovich Rahr is one of the most famous Western experts on issues related to Russia. He directs the work of the Berthold Beitz Center at the Foreign Policy Council of the Federal Republic of Germany, financed by Deutsche Bank. The story of Alexander Rahr's life is rather unusual: a famous expert and international journalist was born in Taiwan, has Russian roots and German citizenship. His opinion is interested in the leaders of states, as it objectively reflects the situation. For his contribution to the development of Russian-German relations, Rahr received the highest award of Germany and was awarded the title of Honorary Professor of MGIMO.

Emigration to the Baltic States

Alexander Rahr was born into a family of first-wave emigrants who left their country after the revolution and civil war. His grandfather came from a merchant class. For this reason, the communist authorities recognized the Rahr family hostile to the new order and drove it out of the country. Father Alexander Rahr called Gleb Alexandrovich. He was born in Moscow, but left with his parents to the Baltics, where he spent his childhood. In Latvia, Gleb Rar graduated from the gymnasium.

Emigration to Germany

After the arrival of the Red Army in the Baltic States, Rara faced a difficult choice. On the part of the Soviet government, they inevitably awaited repression. Rary had the right to emigrate to Germany due to the presence of German roots, but did not feel any sympathy for the Nazi regime. In the end, the decision was made. They moved to Germany, but refused to receive German citizenship. Gleb Rar studied at the 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.

Work in Taiwan

In 1957 Gleb Rar married Sofya Orekhova, the daughter of a whiteguard officer, widely known in the circles of Russian emigrants. Together, the couple left for Taiwan. Gleb Rahr was offered to work there on a radio station that broadcast to the territory of the Soviet Union. The main purpose of its activities was the conduct of anti-communist propaganda. In 1959, the couple had a son - Alexander Glebovich Rar. Biography of the family in many ways 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 the era of changes in the Soviet Union before others. In 1986, the first book, written by Alexander Rahr, was published. Mikhail Gorbachev's biography was published when the Soviet empire still seemed inviolable. Rahr in his book called the last General Secretary of the CPSU a "new man." Training at the University of Munich continued until 1988. Then Alexander Rahr was invited to work for Radio Liberty as an expert on the Soviet Union.

Contacts with Russia

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

Career

In the early 90's as a political scientist Alexander Rahr was engaged in research work at the Institute of East and West in the United States. After returning to Germany, he became director of the center for Russia and Eurasia. Cooperation with this expert-analytical organization, founded by the Council for Foreign Policy of Germany, continued until 2012. Leaving the research center, Rahr was appointed consultant to the largest German energy company, Wintershall. In addition, he manages the activities of several organizations that aim to develop Russian-German relations. In 2015, Alexander Rahr became an adviser to PJSC 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 received 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. Within the framework of this discussion platform, he personally met with President Vladimir Putin.

Books

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