Kennan Institute (covering Russia and surrounding states) The Kennan Institute, in conjunction with the Woodrow Wilson Center, brings scholars and governmental specialists together to discuss political, social, and economic issues affecting Russia and other successor states to the Soviet Union, seeking always to place these issues within their historical context. The Kennan Institute is a non-partisan institution committed to improving American expertise and knowledge about this region. By smilin Countries > Europe & Central Asiawith centralasiaconferencespoliticspopulationreportsrussia