World News Insights
1-3 Minute Gist
Search, personalize, or simply browse. Follow the world around you from gist and context to insights.
Who we are | Our Credo | Ways of using Lyrarc | FAQ | Send Feedback | First Letter From the Editor
Sign up. It's free and easy to use
Create an account
to personalize your feed of articles and topics.
All Topics Article
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
Keywords:
Russia experts Robert Nurick of the Atlantic Council, and Graham Allison of the Belfer Center of International Affairs at Harvard, see a sea change in attitudes to Russia following the interventionist policies of president Putin. The Obama administration will now focus on limiting Russian influence for the remaining two years of Obama's second term. There is a loss of faith in Putin on the part of Obama and close advisors. Russia is seen as a regional power, and the Ukraine crisis is seen as having a serious impact on the Russian economy through decline in trade, foreign investment and capital outflows. Russia is a regional power because it is not the same as the old Soviet Union, it is much smaller, with a declining population, and dependent on oil revenues, and in this sense not the Russia U,S, president Truman and Kennan faced during the Cold War. Obama advisors see Putin's actions as counterproductive for Russia, as the economy is now seen as contracting in 2014, making its actions in Syria, and in Ukraine, unwise foreign policy moves that hurts Russia's economy and future prosperity. Democratically elected leaders in Turkey and Russia with control over the media and shutting down the opposition using control of the judicial process, have shortchanged democratic ideals, and in the process concentrated powers in one leader. This creates risks of arbitrary exercize of power without the checks and balances that are built into a truly functioning democracy, with foreign policy errors eventually leading to a resolution of the conflicts created as these policies are increasingly called into question. Putin and Erdogan were reelected because of economic growth- a contractionary economy or steep declines in growth put everything at risk. A footnote on Kennan, American diplomat and linguist, is appropriate. A quick reading of Wikipedia's excellent account of Kennan will show that Kennan was in favor of a nuanced approach to Russia based on changing conditions. He observed that policies that were seen as anti-Russian actually helped Russian leaders throughout history solidify autocratic type rule, which actually hurts Russia's normal evolution and development. Normal development and evolution similiar to ways Germany and other nations left behind Prussian history and traditions for a open, free society, and in the ways even the U.S. left behind older practices such as slavery in the south and limited representation democracy. In fairness to Kennan it should be said that containment of the Cold War was more a Truman-Acheson doctrine- continued under Eisenhower by Dulles-Nitze, and under Kennedy by Rusk-McNamara- which has roots in Soviet intentions of destabilizing war ravaged western Europe starting with Greece, following similiar efforts in Eastern Europe. Truman was right in aiding Greece, but the U.S. needed to be aware of changing conditions and not take a rigid stance, and get locked into supporting client states just because they were "our guys," a lesson Kennan emphasized throughout his life. Putin and Erdogan use appeals to Russian and Turkish nationalism to improve electoral support and stifle free expression of ideas necessary for growth in any society. This also provides a way to have a discussion with our German friends on engagement and economic relationships, without the rigid outlook of a Wilsonian or Acheson-Dulles kind.
Russia experts and advisors to the Obama administration on the change in attitudes to Russia in Europe and the U.S. in 2014
04/02/2009
The Obama administration plans to take a new approach to Russia to contain Russian interventionist policies in the remaining two years of the second term and limit the relationship to working together on nuclear disarmament and vital issues. A loss of faith in the Obama administration and of president Obama in president Putin after a plan to reset relations on a sounder basis in 2008. This may be one of the costs of Russian president Putin's foreign policy- the cost to the Russian economy in reduced trade, foreign investment, and capital outflows from Russia.
Grouped Articles
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
New York Times 04/19/2014
Promises of ‘Fresh Start’ for U.S.-Russia Relations
New York Times 04/02/2009
Russia Bonds Still Confront a Deep Chill
Wall Street Journal 04/04/2009
Wall Street Journal 04/28/2014
Competing Visions for Russia’s Economic Future
New York Times 05/22/2014
‘America Must Always Lead,’ Obama Tells West Point Graduates
New York Times 05/28/2014
Civilian nuclear cooperation agreement in 2010 between the U.S. and Russia.
01/05/2009
Grouped Articles
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
New York Times 04/19/2014
Promises of ‘Fresh Start’ for U.S.-Russia Relations
New York Times 04/02/2009
Lesser Known Nuclear Pact With Russia Wins Clearance
New York Times 12/09/2010
Russia to Extend Life of Aging Reactors
Wall Street Journal 09/22/2011
Obama tells Medvedev solution on missile defense is unlikely before elections - The Washington Post
Washington Post 03/26/2012
Nuclear Summit Meeting Upstaged by U.S. Politics
New York Times 03/27/2012
The Alternate View about U.S. and EU relations with Russia from Gates and German opinion
01/05/2009
An alternate view about U.S. and EU relations with Russia from former Defense Secretary Gates and German public opinion which looks at Georgia, Crimea, Ukraine, in the larger context of the postwar years beyond todays headlines.
Grouped Articles
Pentagon Chief Sees Opportunities In Russia and the War on Terrorism
Washington Post 01/05/2009
Twin Shocks Shake Foundation of German Power
New York Times 04/18/2014
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
New York Times 04/19/2014
U.S.-Russia Relations Come Full Circle After Ukraine
Wall Street Journal 04/21/2014
Promises of ‘Fresh Start’ for U.S.-Russia Relations
New York Times 04/02/2009
New York Times 05/05/2014
The U.S. and Russia's intervention in Ukraine
03/01/2014
Grouped Articles
A History Lesson That Needs Relearning
New York Times 03/01/2014
Wall Street Journal 03/26/2014
Pride, Prejudice and Putin's Predation
Wall Street Journal 03/26/2014
Russia Plotting for Ukrainian Influence, Not Invasion, Analysts Say
New York Times 04/09/2014
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
New York Times 04/19/2014
U.S.-Russia Relations Come Full Circle After Ukraine
Wall Street Journal 04/21/2014
U.S. and European business in Russia following the intervention in Crimea and western sanctions
03/07/2014
American and European companies including GM, Ford, Renault, Deere, have manufacturing operations in Russia. With the ruble dropping and higher inflation, Western businesses are nervously watching the crisis in U.S. and E.U. relations with Russia, including the impact of sanctions.
Grouped Articles
Western Businesses in Russia, Watchful and Wary
New York Times 03/07/2014
Russia Moves Closer to Absorbing Crimea, Despite Sanctions
Wall Street Journal 03/18/2014
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
New York Times 04/19/2014
Raising Stakes on Russia, U.S. Adds Sanctions
New York Times 07/16/2014
Exxon Mobil Moves Ahead With Russian Oil Drilling Project
New York Times 07/22/2014
Coordinated Sanctions Aim at Russia’s Ability to Tap Its Oil Reserves
New York Times 07/29/2014
U.S.-Russia trade relations
02/22/2011
Grouped Articles
Western Businesses in Russia, Watchful and Wary
New York Times 03/07/2014
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
New York Times 04/19/2014
U.S. Senate Passes Russian Trade Bill, With a Human Rights Caveat
New York Times 12/07/2012
Russia's WTO Membership Faces Rocky Road
Wall Street Journal 02/22/2011
Donald Trump Chooses Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State
WSJ 12/13/2016
New Bipartisan Sanctions Would Punish Russia for Election Meddling
The New York Times 06/13/2017
A look back and insights from former U.S. Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, about Russia and Islamic terrorism not being the threats the way they are perceived
01/05/2009
A detailed look at Russia and Islamic terrorism from Gates that provides perspective and insights beyond the daily headlines about Russia (Georgia, then Crimea) and Islamic terrorists (in Iraq and the Middle East). Two critical points made by Gates about Russia- Russia lacks the capabilities it once had, and the demographics in Russia of a declining population which limit its influence. He sees Georgia, (and possibly Crimea) in the light of Russia exorcizing past humiliations something that Putin has repeatedly referred to in his speeches. The perspective also opens up thinking about what to look for in the future including surprises around the corner. By 2014 for example relations between countries in Asia had deteriorated regarding island disputes.
Grouped Articles
Pentagon Chief Sees Opportunities In Russia and the War on Terrorism
Washington Post 01/05/2009
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
New York Times 04/19/2014
U.S.-Russia Relations Come Full Circle After Ukraine
Wall Street Journal 04/21/2014
Promises of ‘Fresh Start’ for U.S.-Russia Relations
New York Times 04/02/2009
Former Defense Secretary Gates Is Elected President of the Boy Scouts
New York Times 05/22/2014
This Is Just a Date, Not a Marriage
Wall Street Journal 06/03/2014
Putin's views on U.S. -Russian relations
07/13/2006
Grouped Articles
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
New York Times 04/19/2014
U.S.-Russia Relations Come Full Circle After Ukraine
Wall Street Journal 04/21/2014
Promises of ‘Fresh Start’ for U.S.-Russia Relations
New York Times 04/02/2009
Wall Street Journal 04/28/2014
Putin’s Friend Profits in Purge of Schoolbooks
New York Times 11/01/2014
Russian President Vladimir Putin Seeks to Reassure on Economy
Wall Street Journal 12/18/2014
The talks between Iran, the U.S. , the E.U. and Russia to halt Iran's development of nuclear weapons- 2009-2015
01/23/2008
Grouped Articles
Rouhani Says Iran Is Ready for Nuclear Talks, With Conditions
Wall Street Journal 09/25/2013
Rouhani, Blunt and Charming, Pitches a Moderate Iran
New York Times 09/26/2013
Iran Opens Talks Offering Nuclear 'Endgame'
Wall Street Journal 10/16/2013
New York Times 11/03/2013
U.S.-Iran Thaw Grew From Years Of Behind-the-Scenes Talks
Wall Street Journal 11/07/2013
First-step Deal on Curbing Iran's Nuclear Program Takes Shape
Wall Street Journal 11/07/2013
The U.S., European Union, and Russia- an Alternate View for 2014-2016
01/05/2009
Former Defense Secretary Gates offers an alternate view of U.S. and EU relations with Russia. His comments about Georgia could apply to Crimea in 2014.
Grouped Articles
Pentagon Chief Sees Opportunities In Russia and the War on Terrorism
Washington Post 01/05/2009
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
New York Times 04/19/2014
U.S.-Russia Relations Come Full Circle After Ukraine
Wall Street Journal 04/21/2014
Promises of ‘Fresh Start’ for U.S.-Russia Relations
New York Times 04/02/2009
Wall Street Journal 04/28/2014
This Is Just a Date, Not a Marriage
Wall Street Journal 06/03/2014
U.S.-Russia relations under the Obama administration.
01/05/2009
The efforts to build a better relationship, and achieve goal for a nuclear weapons free world.
Grouped Articles
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
New York Times 04/19/2014
U.S.-Russia Relations Come Full Circle After Ukraine
Wall Street Journal 04/21/2014
Promises of ‘Fresh Start’ for U.S.-Russia Relations
New York Times 04/02/2009
Wall Street Journal 04/28/2014
‘America Must Always Lead,’ Obama Tells West Point Graduates
New York Times 05/28/2014
Kerry to Meet With Putin in Russia on Tuesday
Wall Street Journal 05/12/2015
On a common approach for the U.S. and Germany in the relationship with Russia
04/02/2009
Grouped Articles
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
New York Times 04/19/2014
U.S.-Russia Relations Come Full Circle After Ukraine
Wall Street Journal 04/21/2014
Promises of ‘Fresh Start’ for U.S.-Russia Relations
New York Times 04/02/2009
Wall Street Journal 04/28/2014
New York Times 05/05/2014
Germany's Wolfgang Schäuble: Prepared to Raise Pressure on Russia
Wall Street Journal 05/24/2014
Putting together the basis for a common approach of Germany and the U.S. to Russia
04/18/2014
Linked Articles
Twin Shocks Shake Foundation of German Power
New York Times 04/18/2014
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
New York Times 04/19/2014
The West and policies towards Russia- (1) Kennan, Gates, Nurick and Allison on American policy in 2015-2016
01/05/2009
Linked Articles
In Cold War Echo, Obama Strategy Writes Off Putin
New York Times 04/19/2014
Pentagon Chief Sees Opportunities In Russia and the War on Terrorism
Washington Post 01/05/2009
We took a different way to help millions around the world build educated informed mindsets that affects and shapes their lives. For a future that is open, global and digital, with everyone having access to high quality information. We believe in the renewal of America, renewal of Europe, the renewal of India, the rest of Asia, Latin America and Africa. The renewal of our supply chains, health, education, infrastructure, as we rebuild our countries after the pandemic. Literacy and knowledge we believe cannot thrive and grow in a world of web bots, web crawlers, or AI. This requires human curiosity, human learning, and human imagination. We take as inspiration the saying- “One has to be free, and as broad as sky. One has to have a mind that is crystal clear, only then can truth shine in it.” Every contribution whether big or small is precious- in this crisis and ahead.
Support Lyrarc from as small as $1
Terms and Conditions | Copyright Policy | Privacy Policy | Contact Us