Thin Ice: The Dangerous Instability of U.S.-Russia Relations

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    "Matthew Rojansky"
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Other

Thin Ice: The Dangerous Instability of U.S.-Russia Relations

Russia's perceptions of itself have a very real affect on its bilateral relations with the United States.

By Matthew Rojansky

Published on Jan 29, 2013

Source: U.S. Naval War College

Speaking at the U.S. Naval War College, Carnegie's Matthew Rojansky examined how Russia's perceptions of itself can affect U.S.-Russian relations. He explained that Russia's leaders are cautious, since President Putin's team was shaped by the experience of the demise of the Soviet superpower. They see the world as unpredictable and are unlikely to espouse any sense of central guidance or historical finality. While they see Russia as one of the clearer voices in a multipolar world and are not immune to the attraction of turning to Western powers, relations are strained by a recurring sense of exclusion by what Russians perceive as double standards.

In reality, despite ill-adapted attempts to re-launch its business climate, Russia's situation remains stable and the country does still occupy, by default, the position of most vocal nation outside the Western bloc, Rojansky explained. However, it falls short of being a trusted intermediary for conflict resolution. The United States could try to improve relations by developing a proper framework for U.S.-Russia relations and by giving the existent bilateral presidential commission the power to invest in long-term projects.

About the Author

Matthew Rojansky

Former Deputy Director, Russia and Eurasia Program

Rojansky, formerly executive director of the Partnership for a Secure America, is an expert on U.S. and Russian national security and nuclear-weapon policies.

Recent Work

Paper
An Opportunity for Ambition: Ukraine’s OSCE Chairmanship
- Matthew Rojansky
In The Media
Presiding Over the OSCE: Challenges and Opportunities
- Matthew Rojansky

Foreign Policy North America United States Russia

Carnegie India does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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