#Canada #Toronto #Lionel Gelber Prize #Sergey Radchenko #Cold War

2025 Lionel Gelber Prize Awarded to Sergey Radchenko

In a remarkable announcement by Judith Gelber, the Chair of the Lionel Gelber Prize Board, Sergey Radchenko has been named the winner of the 2025 Lionel Gelber Prize for his compelling book To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power, published by Cambridge University Press. This prestigious award is granted annually to the best English-language book on international affairs, as determined by an esteemed jury comprised of international journalists, scholars, and practitioners.

Rodchenko's work stood out from a competitive shortlist, which included notable titles such as Dollars and Dominion: US Bankers and the Making of a Superpower, by Mary Bridges, and The Good Allies: How Canada and the United States Fought Together to Defeat Fascism during the Second World War, by Tim Cook. The jury recognized Radchenko's book as a landmark contribution to understanding Cold War dynamics and its persistent relevance in today's geopolitical landscape.

Janice Gross Stein, the Jury Chair and a University Professor, praised Radchenko's work as a masterpiece that shifts paradigms. She emphasized how the author successfully invites readers to reconsider the historical complexities of the Cold War, providing fresh insights into Russia's current maneuvers on the global stage. Radchenko's comprehensive analysis uncovers rich narratives and original content that bring the history of the Cold War to life, making it a timely study for contemporary readers.

The book explores the multifaceted nature of the Soviet Union's global aspirations, detailing the psychological underpinnings of decision-making in the Kremlin throughout the Cold War period. Radchenko meticulously analyzes how the Soviet Union grappled with its identity as a superpower in an era defined by its rivalry with the United States and China. His exploration spans several decades, revealing how the ambitions and insecurities of Soviet leadership shaped foreign policy initiatives, from the territorial pursuits under Stalin to the nuclear brinkmanship characteristic of the Cold War's peak.

Drawing from a wealth of historical resources, To Run the World delves into key moments, including Khrushchev's daring international politics and Gorbachev's attempts to transform Moscow's image on the world stage. The book argues that the foundational tensions and delusions of grandeur that drove Soviet policy then continue to influence contemporary events, making Radchenko's work a vital resource for understanding both past and present international relations.

Sergey Radchenko holds the position of Wilson E. Schmidt Distinguished Professor at the SAIS Europe and serves as the Director of the Bologna Institute for Policy Research. With a strong reputation for research on the Cold War, Radchenko has previously contributed to major media outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, establishing himself as a key voice on international affairs.

The ceremony to honor this year's Lionel Gelber Prize will take place on April 9, 2025, at noon ET, presented in a hybrid format by the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto. Interested individuals can find further details and register online via the Lionel Gelber Prize website. The winner will not only receive the coveted recognition but also a prize of $50,000 CAD.

This year marks the continuation of a tradition established in 1989 by Lionel Gelber, a Canadian diplomat, aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of global issues through accessible literature. The impact of this award on the academic community and beyond emphasizes the crucial role of scholarship in navigating the complexities of international relations.

Through examining Radchenko's groundbreaking work, readers are encouraged to engage with the lasting legacy of the Cold War and its implications for the modern geopolitical order.