"'[Putin's] worldview is that the world is in such a chaotic, incomprehensible state, that all attempts to influence it with direct action are counterproductive and only bring the opposite of the intended result,' says Fyodor Lukyanov, the editor of Russia in Global Affairs, who is seen as a good decoder of the Kremlin's thinking. Furthermore, the trope of U.S. obligation to do this or enforce that is more than galling to Putin, Lukyanov says. It is incomprehensible."

Richard N. Haass examines Russia's recent diplomatic success with an eye on the bigger picture.

Fred Kaplan contemplates what happens next after President Putin's offer to open negotiations with Syria.

Carla Robbins argues that ignoring the Kremlin and putting current U.S.-Russia relations on pause is not an option worth pursuing. She stresses the importance of publicly warning Russia of the damage done to its global reputation through current policies, and the need to engage with Russia in areas of common interest, such as Iran.

Charles Kupchan explores the recent developments in U.S.-Russian relations, arguing that Russian President Vladimir Putin is motivated more by spite towards Washington than strategic interests.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu met in Washington, D.C. on August 9, 2013, to discuss trade, nuclear threat reduction, and strategies to address crises in Syria and Egypt.

President Obama's cancelled state visit to Moscow next month is another indication that the so-called U.S.-Russia reset has derailed, says CFR's Stephen Sestanovich.

"Relations with Russia and China deserve to be given priority," according to Leslie H. Gelb and Dmitri K. Simes.

Max Boot explains what Prince Alexander Bariatinsky's success against Chechen rebels in the nineteenth century can teach us about counterinsurgency today.

Experts discuss Russia, as part of the U.S. presidential inbox series examining the major issues confronting the administration in the foreign policy arena.

Experts discuss Russia, as part of the U.S. presidential inbox series examining the major issues confronting the administration in the foreign policy arena.

Anya Schmemann examines U.S.-Russia relations in light of Edward Snowden's presence in Moscow.

Experts discuss Russia, as part of the U.S. presidential inbox series examining the major issues confronting the administration in the foreign policy arena.

Leslie H. Gelb and Dimitri Simes discuss the impact of China and Russia's evolving relationship on the United States.

The so-called "BRICS"—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—are a group of countries that have enjoyed relatively fast economic growth and increased political influence. Russia's economy used to occupy the middle tier of the BRICS, but today many Russians worry that it is dropping to the bottom of the group.

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Syria, arms control, and economic ties are likely to be the focus of the Putin-Obama meeting in Northern Ireland, where both sides are hoping to set a new tone for the relationship, says CFR's Stephen Sestanovich.

Anya Schmemann remembers life under surveillance in the Soviet Union in light of the recent U.S. embassy staffer's explusion from Moscow.

Alexey Malashenko, co-chair of the Carnegie Moscow Center's religion, society, and security program, leads a conversation on the history of religious tension and the current relationship between Moscow and the Caucasus, as part of CFR's Religion and Foreign Policy Conference Call series.

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.

Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held this press conference after their meeting on May 7, 2013, focused primarily on U.S.-Russian cooperation in regards to Syria.