While some Central and East European countries "graduated" from the amendment in recent years, Russia remains subject to an annual compliance waiver, which has complicated U.S.-Russian trade relations. Those who defend Jackson-Vanik argue it remains an important symbol of freedom and democracy. This March 2010 Centerpoint article discusses the 4 February 2010 conference on the Jackson-Vanik amendment, where experts honored the legacy and debated the relevance of Jackson-Vanik in today's world.

Adam Michnik, Editor-in-Chief of Poland's daily newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza and recipient of the 2009 Ion Ratiu Democracy Award, was featured in a number of distinguished press publications. Michnik's speech Democracy: Traps and Question Marks marked the 5th annual Ion Ratiu Democracy Lecture, which took place at the Wilson Center on December 3, 2009. His address was preceded by a brief introduction by The Honorable Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor to President Carter.