Russia (8/31/06)

The U.S. relationship with Russia has changed quite a bit since the end of the Cold War. With the Soviet Union we had a Great Power rivalry that involved containment and mutually assured destruction. Since the fall of communism and the breakup of the Soviet Union, there have been hopes that Russia would be integrated into the West, and attempts, with varying success to bring that about. Now many believe that increasing Russian independence indicates that the country has decided to go its own way. Recent comments by Vice President Cheney and Senator McCain have been quite critical, while remarks by both President Bush and Secretary of State Rice have been more conciliatory. What does all this means for how we should engage with Russia?

From the current issue of Foreign Affairs:

Russia Leaves the West

Two notable scholars with very different views onU.S.-Russia relations. First Stephen Cohen:

The New American Cold War

and Zbigniew Brzezinski:

Zbigniew Brzezinski Assesses U.S.-Russia Relations

Living With Russia

These two Foreign Affairs articles were published a couple of years ago:

A Normal Country

Flight From Freedom: What Russians Think and Want

A good article about another factor that is certain to affect future U.S.-Russia relations:

Russia's Clout in World Energy Market