This report asserts a U.S.-Russia "partnership" is the right long-term goal, but not a realistic prospect over the next few years. This report is also available in Russian.

The next president will have to reassess the U.S.-Russian relationship and find the right balance between pushing back and cooperating.

Since the end of the Cold War, successive American administrations have sought to create a relationship with Russia that they called a “partnership.” This report asserts that this is the right long-term goal, but it is unfortunately not a realistic prospect for U.S.-Russia relations over the next several years. This report is also available in Russian.

Stephen Sestanovich offers a rebuttal to Leslie H. Gelb's reading of the Cuban missile crisis.

Stephen Sestanovich discusses the conventional wisdom surrounding the erosion of American power.

Stephen Sestanovich says in the debate over American foreign policy, mistakes and wrong turns cannot simply be blamed on irrationality and moralizing--or the supernatural.

Stephen Sestanovich says there is an upside to Dmitri Medvedev's firing of Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov.

Stephen Sestanovich comments on the "short war" within every long war fought by the United States.

Stephen Sestanovich discusses Russian president Dmitri Medvedev's recent visit to the United States.

Stephen Sestanovich discusses how the Russian subway bombing could hamper President Dmitri Medvedev's efforts at reform.

Stephen Sestanovich reviews Russia and the Arabs, by Yevgeny Primakov.

Journal of Democracy
Volume 15, Number 3, July 2004

Vladimir Putin has pursued an anti-pluralist strategy, remaking the balance of power in Russian politics to favor "force" (the coercive apparatus of the old state bureaucracy, especially the KGB) over "money" (those who gained new wealth after 1991, especially the "oligarchs"). Will this new balance endure? Business has many reasons — and increasing resources — for pursuing a larger political role. The future of Russian pluralism depends above all on the response of business interests to changing economic and political circumstances. Will they doubt their legitimacy and seek a protector — or ally with others to alter Putin's bureaucratic order?

The current nasty atmosphere between Russia and the United States goes beyond one or two disputed issues and will be difficult to improve. There have been regular spikes of tension in the U.S.-Russia relationship for the last fifteen years, and they will likely continue.

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In Tuesday's Roundup: Debate hits new low in Pakistan, Raul Castro redefines Socialism for the worse, and Georgia's gathering crisis.

Russia's inaction in response to Kyrgyzstan's ethnic violence reflects a deeper problem with international cooperation, writes CFR's Stephen Sestanovich.

Russia's toughest economic challenge since the collapse of 1998 could lead it to a less confrontational foreign policy and a loss of international standing, writes CFR's Stephen Sestanovich.

Support of the U.S. national security establishment was crucial in gaining Senate ratification of New START, but follow-on arms control agreements with Russia face a tough road, says CFR's Stephen Sestanovich.

The U.S.-Russia agreement to cut nuclear arsenals could prove a major boost to arms control and nonproliferation initiatives, but at least one important strategic disagreement will linger, writes CFR's Stephen Sestanovich.

New plans for another global summit on the Syrian crisis represent modest progress, but the real question is whether the Kremlin is willing to withdraw support for the Assad regime, says CFR's Stephen Sestanovich.