17.05.2008
Foreign Policy in Review
April/May, 2008The following resource is meant to quickly introduce the reader to Russia's relations with the those countries it has previously called it's "far abroad:" or any country that is not a part of a the former Soviet Union. For more reviews, including our "News from Eurasia," which covers Russia's relations with those countries of the former Soviet Union, see the newsletter for this corresponding month. To receive SRAS's free monthly newsletter and obzori by email, simply sign up. Some 50% of Russians expect foreign policy continuity under Medvedev
While 48% of respondents in the poll said there would be no change in foreign policy, some 26% believe that relations between Russia and other states will improve, while only 5% expect relations to worsen. Diplomatic challenges facing Russia's Medvedev
A short list. Iran
A sticking point in US-Russia Relations The Friend of My Enemy
There are few issues that cause greater friction in U.S.-Russian relations than Iran’s nuclear-weapons program. Medvedev likely to face problems with Iran
Vladimir Putin's last minute decision to fulfill UN Security Council Resolution 1803 on Iran before handing over power to Dmitry Medvedev surprised many. Bush administration pushes nuclear pact with Russia
The Bush administration says the nuclear deal with Russia could help solve the Iran problem by clearing the way for Washington to cooperate with Russia's offer to host an international uranium enrichment center that would supply nuclear fuel to countries like Iran. US-Russia Relations
Americans Expelled; New Political Appointees Named Americans get rid of "Russian public enemies"
The scandal over the ‘List of Russian Public Enemies’ has caused the resource that posted the document to close down. The US hosting provider attributes its decision to the website founders, who have violated the privacy of personal data. No Country for Old Communists
Mikhail Gorbachev, at Seminole Hard Rock, tears down that hall. U.S. promises cannot be trusted – Gorbachev
The Americans promised that NATO wouldn't move beyond the boundaries of Germany after the Cold War, but now half of central and eastern Europe are members, so what happened to their promises? U.S. Accusations against Russian Arms Trader
The United States has announced its official accusations against Viktor Bout, the Russian citizen arrested in Thailand at the request of the U.S. U.S. Worried about Russia-Georgia Conflict
The George W. Bush administration is worried that an armed conflict will flare up between Russia and Georgia. Russia Expels US Military Personel Russia Expels Two U.S. Military Attaches From Country
Russia has ordered two American military attachés at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to leave the country following the expulsion of a pair of Russian diplomats from Washington. Factory Visit Tied to Ouster of Attachés From Russia
The two American military attachés who were expelled from Russia early this month had made an uninvited visit to a military aviation factory in Siberia that Russia regards as strategic. US Reports, Hearings, and Documents Russian Power and Interests at the Next Stage in U.S.-Russian Relations
A two hour meeting held by the US Commision on Security and Cooperation in Europe on how best to engage Russia under the Medvedev Presidency. U.S.-Russia Relations in Transition
As the U.S. election draws near and Dmitry Medvedev prepares to take office, is there an opportunity to revitalize and redirect the floundering U.S.-Russia relationship? This was the subject of an all-day conference held on April 28, at the Nixon Center. Congressmen Warn against U.S. Anti-Russian Stance
A bipartisan group of four U.S. congressmen warned on Wednesday against the “knee-jerk anti-Russian position” frequently taken by the United States, and, in particular the danger to U.S. interests of the making Georgia a member of NATO. Briefing on the Inaugural Session of the U.S.-Russia Economic Dialogue
Today, we have Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs Reuben Jeffery III and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Andrey Denisov. They’ll be discussing the Inaugural Session of the U.S.-Russian Economic Dialogue. Country Reports on Terrorism: Russia
The Russian government continued to view counterterrorism as a top priority, and considered cooperation with the United States a pillar of bilateral relations. U.S. Plans against International Crime
The Law Enforcement Strategy to Combat International Organized Crime is a 16-page document containing the combined recommendations of the Justice Department, FBI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to a Kommersant source, it “touches on the topics of possible connections between Russian authorities and organized crime." Russia's Uranium Supplies to U.S. Restricted till 2020
After a few years of negotiations, Russian and the United States have finally signed the long-awaited intergovernmental agreement on peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Russian Ambassador Nominated Undersecretary of State William Burns Nominated Undersecretary of State
[excerpts re Russia] Reflections of a U.S. Ambassador
Outgoing ambassador to Russia William Burns sums up his time in Russia and urges continued work to improve relations between the two countries. Ambassardor Burns Interviewed by Russian Radio
What does Washington – the Congress and the Administration – think about newly- elected President Medvedev? What are your expectations of the new president? New Russian Abassador Nominated New U.S. Ambassador with a Past
U.S. President George W. Bush has announced his decision to appoint John Beyrle the new ambassador to Russia. Beyrle may be considered a symbol of friendship. He speaks Russian well and has worked in Russia twice before. John Beyrle Nominated To Be Next U.S. Ambassador
Beyrle is considered one of the best experts on the former communist bloc in the U.S. diplomatic corps. The 54-year-old Beyrle began his diplomatic career in 1983 as a member of the U.S. delegation in charge of talks with the Soviet leadership on reducing the use of conventional weapons. US Elections The next president should make Russia a top priority (Dan Rather)
It is only by coincidence that our elections and those of our former Cold War rival move in quadrennial lock step. It has the potential, though, to be a constructive coincidence. McCain Would Evict Medvedev From G-8, Push Russia on Democracy
Medvedev said Feb. 26 that he wanted to work with a "modern" U.S. leader rather than one "whose eyes are turned back to the past." McCain Hopes for "New Era"
"The United States needs to work hard to forge a productive relationship with the government and the people of Russia" Plan to boot Russia from G-8 "impossible."
John McCain's proposal to kick out Russia from the group of industrial democracies would be blocked by other nations. Russia's dangerous decline
The next president will have to undo the damage that was done to this crucial relationship by the last two presidents. Arab World
Bomb in Iran, Bus Accident in Egypt Russia's seeks stronger Mideast role
The Kremlin is pushing forward with its desire to retain its international decision-making prowess and sustain its clout overseas by means of arms exports, write-offs of old debts and energy maneuverings. Russians Injured in Egyptian Bus Crash
RIA Novosti reports 14 Russians were injured in that crash. According to earlier reports, nine people died in the incident and 28 people were injured. Terrorists Plotted to Explode RF Consulate in Iran’s Resht
Secret services of Iran arrested a gang of terrorists plotting to explode the RF consulate in Resht, the city in Gilan province of Iran. Asia
Asia gets top priority from Medvedev Medvedev to visit Kazakhstan, China after inauguration
"As I promised on the night of the [presidential] election, I will first go to Kazakhstan...and from there to China. This will be my first international journey [as president]." Medvedev said in an interview Reaching out in the Arctic
The Arctic countries may violate one another’s exclusive economic zones. Russia has the strongest position in the Arctic for protecting its interests and increasing its influence there. Managing Rising Powers: China and Russia
The idea behind the symposium was to look at how America and Europe are doing in terms of dealing with issues that aren't necessarily within the transatlantic area but more global issues. The Visit of Double Purpose
Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda arrives in Moscow today to meet President Vladimir Putin and President-elect Dmitry Medvedev, deliberate on forthcoming G8 summit in Hokkaido and clarify new power configuration of the neighboring country. Russia's Aircraft Delivered Humanitarian Aid to China
The emergency aircraft of Russia headed late Tuesday for China’s Sichuan province that was hit by the devastating earthquake. Russia-EU Relations
Russia Pressed on Rights; EU Disagrees on Closer Ties Steinmeier, in Moscow, brings no deal
The Kremlin rolled out the red carpet Wednesday for Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany, the first foreign official to hold talks with President Dmitri Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin since they took up their new positions last week. Divide, rule or waffle
The European Union cannot agree over how to deal with Russia. That suits the Kremlin just fine. Future of EU-Russia relations
The European Union hopes to soon finish weaving the fabric of a new partnership agreement with Russia amid continuing differences with Moscow over energy security and foreign policy. Medvedev meets with Council of Europe human rights commissioner
Mr Hammarberg underlined a number of positive developments he observed in the region, in particular in Chechnya, and expressed the wish that further efforts be done to clarify the issue of missing persons. Council of Europe delegation urges Russia to promote human rights
Russia must promote human rights through education, not just seek to punish rights violators, a Council of Europe delegation said Wednesday after a two-day fact-finding trip. EU seeks warmer ties with Russia but faces objections from Lithuania
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Petras Vaitiekunas said his government was "ready for compromise" but demanded that Russia fix an oil pipeline to a Lithuanian refinery and peacefully resolve "frozen conflicts" in Georgia and other ex-Soviet republics. Britain's Fans Won’t Need Visas for Moscow Match
Britain's fans may go to the Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea in Moscow without any visas; a foreign passport, ticket and Russia’s migration card will suffice for this purpose, says the RF embassy in London. British Chased Off Russian Aircraft
British Royal Air Force planes flew intercept missions against Russian bombers 21 times in the last year, British Defense Minister Bob Ainsworth told the country's parliament. Roskosmos, ESA to Create Spaceship for Moon Flights
Russia’s Federal Space Agency (Roskosmos) and European Space Agency (ESA) have agreed to jointly design a transporting spaceship for the near-earth flights and moon missions, said people in the news service of Roskosmos. Commentary With help from the West, Medvedev can break free of Putin's grip
The amateur armchair analysis that Medvedev will simply be at the beck and call of Putin, misses the complicated and nuanced world of Russian politics and history. Russian propaganda, good and bad
WAS the Orange Revolution of 2004-2005 a sinister western plot? Many Russians, particularly those close to the Kremlin, say so, and a new book called “Orange Webs” tries to confirm that view. Robert Kagan, Ideology's Rude Return
Many believe that when Chinese and Russian leaders stopped believing in communism, they stopped believing in anything. The Threat Mr. Putin Sees
We risk a major confrontation by disregarding Mr. Putin's "red line" on this subject. Military
Parade held; Nuclear arms funded; Problems persist Russian, American navies launch sandwich battle
“People who share food can not be enemies,” asserted Roman Ivanishchev, president of the Far Eastern association of restaurant and hotel businesses, during a battle between military cooks. Russia Offers CFE Compromise to NATO
Chief of Russia’s General Staff Army General Yuri Baluevsky has made to NATO a compromise proposal on the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (or CFE Treaty). "Our military exercises are a threat for terrorists, but not for the West"
This year, Russia, Belorussia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Armenia will mark the five-year anniversary since the foundation of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Russian strategic bombers conduct 20-hr patrol over Arctic Ocean
Two Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers have carried out a routine patrol over remote areas of the Arctic. U.S. Arrest in Russian Helicopter Sale
U.S. authorities have arrested a Florida man, 70-year-old Peter Spitz, for attempting to sell ten Russian-made military helicopters abroad without the appropriate State Department licensing. Dmitry Medvedev and Hugo Chavez get friendly with weapons
Venezuela intends to buy aviation and naval military technology worth a total of around $2 billion in the next month. Red Square Parade Red Square parade masks weakened Russia military
The annual Victory Day parade that marks Nazi Germany's defeat may look impressive, but some Russian commentators think much of the military spending has been squandered through corruption, cronyism and mismanagement. Medvedev Says Army "Gaining Strength" on Victory Day
Medvedev presided over the nation's biggest display of military hardware since the Soviet era as Russia seeks to reassert its status as a political and economic force. Show of military force in Red Sq. parade "not saber-rattling"
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that an upcoming display of the country's military hardware in a Victory Day parade in Red Square on May 9 does not mean Moscow is threatening anyone. Missiles New Russian president vows to fund nuclear weapons
President Dmitry Medvedev made his debut as the commander in chief of Russia's armed forces Thursday, touring a missile base and promising to provide the funding needed for nuclear forces to counter global threats. Russia's president urges strategic missile forces development
"Our task for the next few years will be to secure necessary funding for the SMF, which must be able to face the current level of threats and the global situation." Russia's missile defense systems: past, present and future
Russia has been developing missile defense systems since the early 1960s. Lawmakers urge Bush to shelve Russia nuclear deal
Key U.S. lawmakers urged President George W. Bush on Wednesday to shelve a civilian nuclear cooperation pact with Russia until concerns about Russia's nuclear ties to Iran are cleared up. Medvedev handed control of Russia's nuclear weapons
The two other holders of Russia's nuclear 'switches' are the defense minister and chief of the General Staff. Nine IBMs to Be Launched over Half-Year
Nine test launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles will be made in time of summer training that begins June 1 and ends November 30, Strategic Rocket Forces Commander Colonel-General Nikolay Solovtsov told Interfax.
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