Geography, resources and ecosystems link Alaska inextricably to its neighbor, Russia. Russia requires a special relationship, with specialized institutions and specialists to manage them. With oil nearing $150 a barrel, Russia is enjoying boom times. The Putin/Medvedev social contract gives Russians stability, freedom to buy things they want and travel abroad, in exchange for Kremlin control over profits.
This is not a bad thing. Cities close to Alaska, such as Vladivostok, were poverty-stricken in the 1990s. They are noticeably wealthier and more livable now. Since 2004, U.S.-Russian bilateral trade has grown an average of 22 percent per year and reached $26 billion in 2007.
Russia's economy shows no signs of slowing down, and the rush is about to sweep into regions close to Alaska. There are no fewer than nine significant energy "frontier fields" slated for exploration and development in the Far East and Arctic. Russia is aggressively staking out its territorial claims in the Arctic Sea. The billions of tons in energy resources will keep Russia's economy afloat well into the middle of the century.
At the same time, changes in the global climate may open inaccessible areas of the Arctic to shipping, energy development and resource extraction. A northern shipping route will cut shipping distances and costs between the U.S. West Coast and Europe considerably -- with unknown environmental effects.
Make no mistake. Russia is determined to use its resources in its own national interest. There are dangers and opportunities for Alaska either way -- but there is no way to ignore the implications for the future of the region. The costs for getting it wrong are too big.
Alaska expertise can help Russia to tap into and bring its energy to market in an environmentally responsible way. Alaska legislators and environmentalists should work closely with their Russian counterparts to legislate development. Alaska needs a place at the table -- the job is too important to leave to Washington (or Moscow) alone.
None of this happens without Russia specialists.
The American Russian Center at the University of Alaska has been one of the premier providers of technical and cultural expertise from the United States to the Russian Far East since 1993. Over the past 15 years, the center has opened training centers in seven Russian cities and conducted programs to promote the free market and civil society to Russian businesspeople, educators and government leaders. It presented the state of Alaska as a model for economic, social and technical development to Russia during a critical period in its development.
Now -- just as Russia is gaining importance as an American economic partner -- this institution is in danger. Due to a lack of state and federal funding, the university wants to merge the Russian center into the university's International Center. The funders apparently think the Russian Far East has not lived up to the economic promise of the 1990s.
The Alaska and federal governments should increase support and funding for the American Russian Center. Alaska should fund the center at levels sufficient to create Alaska Russia experts -- talented Alaska students who understand our natural closeness with Russia (as well as the differences) and who can put this knowledge to use for the mutual benefit of both countries.
The American Russian Center should increase outreach to Russian students. There is a new generation of Russians on the scene -- young, sophisticated and businesslike. They grew up unburdened by the Soviet past. They see Russia in global terms.
The best Russian Far East students traditionally come to the University of Alaska. The American Russian Center supports them. These students -- often sons and daughters of influential Russians -- are a great legacy investment for Alaska. Alaska should cultivate the next generation of Russian allies for Alaska. Cutting the support now sends the wrong signal.
The smart money says the importance of Russia's provinces will only grow. Russia needs business, environmental and legal expertise -- all in abundance in Alaska -- in the Far East and Arctic. Alaska needs the American Russian Center to focus its special relationship with Russia.
Peter Christiansen worked in Russia for 17 years and lives in Anchorage with his Russian wife. He has no affiliation with the University of Alaska's American Russian Center.
By PETER CHRISTIANSEN