The Strength of Cooperation: How 1945 Influenced the Mission of the Carmel Institute of Russian Culture and History

At American University in Washington, DC, students, emissaries, and a captivated audience gathered on April 11. Celebrating the recent establishment of the Carmel Institute of Russian Culture and History (CIRCH), a symposium and reception were held to examine the history of U.S. – Russia relations. Titled The Strength of Cooperation: Lessons From the Grand Alliance 1941-1945, through intimate anecdotes and stories from World War II, as well as observations of current situations, the gathering provided a doorway to the past and hope for the future. With the opening of the Institute, both the United States and Russia aim to promote continued exchanges of students and culture between the two nations.   The speakers focused on personal connections during WWII. Both Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and John R. Beyrle, former Ambassador to Russia, shared stories about family experiences serving during the war. From heroic acts of valor to key strategic and diplomatic moves, their stories highlighted the historic relationship between the United States and Russia, and spoke for the need for cooperation in the present.   Ambassador Beyrle described the service of his late father Joseph Beyrle, who had the unique distinction of fighting for both the U.S. and Red Army during the war. Joseph began his service as a paratrooper storming the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, but was subsequently captured and held prisoner by the Nazis. After multiple escape attempts he made his way to Russian forces, where he would fight towards Berlin with a tank battalion until an explosion grievously wounded him. Joseph would then find himself in contact with Marshall Georgy Zhukov of the Red Army, who gave him a “magic letter” (as Beyrle had no real identification to prove he was American) that would help him reach Moscow, and eventually home.   Surprisingly, Marshall Zhukov was a key character of the narrative told by Susan Eisenhower about her grandfather, then General Dwight Eisenhower. Working together extensively under the command of FDR and Stalin, the two men gained a working respect for each other during and after the war. Unfortunately, while Eisenhower would go on to take the presidency, Zhukov would be removed from any nominal positions for allegedly becoming too “Americanized”. Looking towards the future however, Susan Eisenhower urged for sustained international cooperation, and lauded her late grandfather’s words: “War has failed. The only way to save the world now is through diplomacy.” This message carried the theme for the symposium, indicating that the tragedies of World War II and the Cold War can be seen as lessons on how to conduct negotiations and international affairs in the 21st century.   Along with the personal stories, the need for further opportunities and education for students played a vital role. Current Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Sergei Kislyak looked to the success stories from WWII as a sign that cooperation between America and Russia will benefit both countries. Culture, he said, is the key to peace. If the youth from the U.S. and Russia can understand each other’s culture, situations like the cold war can hopefully be avoided in the future. Allowing students the ability to bond personal connections with Russian culture and history, and interact with the younger generations of Russians will forge a greater bond than has ever been achieved.   But helping students recognize the connections between the U.S. and Russia, especially during WWII, will take increased diligence on the part of teachers and academia. As one comment from the panel made clear, some students underestimate the true cost of the war for both sides, with some only thinking about 100,000 Russians died in the way, far less than the current estimate of about 20 million. With more and more students engaging in international study however, and with the newly formed Carmel Institute, many on the panel are optimistic for the future of American-Russian relations.   For the Carmel Institute of Russian Culture and History, the event signaled a dedication to providing the next step in opportunities from its predecessor, the Initiative for Russian Culture (IRC). During its time on the American University Campus, the IRC held events for more than 15,000 people, and helped over 50 students travel to Russia to study. Susan Carmel Lehrman, the leader and philanthropist behind the institute, believes that continuing this spirit of global inclusiveness is the key to ensuring positive relations for generations to come.   Featured Image: Dr. Anton Fedyashin, Iskander Magadeev, Frank Costigliola, Susan B. Eisenhower, Ambassador John R. Beyrle