When Vladimir Putin became acting president in January 2000, he appointed his trusted colleagues as presidential envoys, including many from the Federal Security Service. After his inauguration in May of that year, Putin announced federal reforms that included the appointments of presidential envoys consisting largely of military officials. Now there have been a few, insignificant changes among the president's "eyes and ears" in the federal districts. The presidential envoys, who hold equal status with the deputy prime ministers, are a continuation of Putin's policy of "divide and conquer" -- this time applied to the regions.
Jessica T. Mathews addresses U.S.-Russian relations, nonproliferation, Iran, and global philanthropy in an interview for the Great Decisions Television Series, an eight show series that examines all sides of the most critical foreign policy issues.
During Vladimir Putin's presidency, tight control of the mass media evolved as one of the Russian leadership's key political resources. It will be equally indispensable to newly inaugurated President Dmitry Medvedev.
Robert Kagan and The New York Times’ David Brooks discussed Kagan’s new book The Return of History and the End of Dreams.
Since the inauguration, the presidential web site has evolved into the domain of President Dmitry Medvedev, and the updated version of the White House's web site now carries information about Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's activities. But the smooth transfer of power between presidents is a complicated process, and it is important to examine how Medvedev will be able to build constructive relationships with the regions.
The vision is grand, the reality less so. Russia's foreign policy has been merely assertive and reactive up till now. Will the new President manage something more constructive?
J. Peter Scoblic discusses his new book, "U.S. vs. Them: How a Half Century of Conservatism Has Undermined America’s Security," with E.J. Dionne, Jr., op-ed columnist for The Washington Post.
Medvedev can set a new tone for Russia in order to sustain its newfound position on the world stage. By cultivating cooperation rather than confrontation, Russia will maximize its self-interests.
Washington's strategic confusion on the logic of NATO expansion to Georgia and Ukraine split the alliance, undermined democratic reforms abroad, and helped bring out the worst in Moscow's relations with the West. Washington should convince skeptics of its sincerity on the importance of democratic reforms by setting stringent political standards for potential members.
Robert Kagan and Robert Cooper discuss whether the world is reverting to a struggle between great powers or if it is embracing the democratising spirit of 1989.

























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