A New Phase of Russian Politics is Underway
Henry A. Kissinger, former US national security adviser | July 4, 2008
Conventional wisdom which treated President Medvedev as a mere continuation of Putin is oversimplified. ++ We are witnessing one of the most promising periods in Russian history. ++ The new Russian government with two centers of power may mark the beginning of an evolution toward a form of checks and balances. ++ Geopolitical realities with respect to nuclear weapons and Iran require Russian-US cooperation. ++ US can affect more by patience and historical understanding than by offended disengagement and public exhortations.
Tue, Jul 8th 2008, 07:31
Ilyas M. Mohsin, PPP, Platinum Contributor (296)
This may sound like pacifism or like making concessions to the enemy to the neo-con menetality.
Dr. Kissinger' appreciation of the Russian constitutional position is very appealing. For now this appears to be best paradigm which can hold its ground. The new phase of Russian politics appears to put all the emphasis om getting influential in EU/ Asia et c a la energy-card. Such a stance would also promote new investments in Russia which could boost her industrial prowess under the status quo.
The Sochi declaration may be a nice frmaework. However, as the taste of pudding lies in eating, we 'll have to wait and see how it works, Ukraine etc would keep on casting a shadow on Russian- US affairs. It'll remain a bumpy flight due to the dependence of leading EU partners on Russia' energy and US' allurement for known reasons.