Page 7 - Conventional Forces News Today

(Archived document, may contain errors) , I 892 April 17,1992 STRATEGIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS By Andxei Kortunov EL. Wiegand Fellow INTRODUCTION There is widespread concern in thewest about the future of relations with the re mblics of the fanner Soviet Union. Almost as hportant is the future of relations be ween those newly independent republics.

The State of Russian Foreign Policy and U.S. Policy Toward Russia

The NPR suggests that the Administration is pursuing a strategically incoherent policy that will lead to greater global instability.

The U.S. needs to approach Russia as it actually is: a declining power and a kleptocratic autocracy, not a country transitioning to democracy.

The status quo will likely continue following the election ofDmitry Medvedev, Vladimir Putin's chosen successor, on March 2.

Moscow's decision to no longer share information about its conventional armed forces could spark more crises and increase risk of nuclear escalation, an arms control expert argues.

The White House bet on the wrong horse in Dmitry Medvedev. It should now rethink its “reset” strategy for engaging with Russian leadership.

Last Friday and Saturday, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited Moscow. They met with President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and First Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Ivanov, for what are known as the "2 + 2 talks." These were agreed upon in Kennebunkport, Maine, between Presidents George W. Bush and Mr. Putin. The Moscow talks did not go well.

EM479: The Senate's Right to Approve ABM Treaty Changes MustBe Upheld

US consideration of how to respond to Russia’s actions must bear in mind the potential future cost of losing New START and reemphasizing nuclear weapons in the national budget above domestic priorities. Simply put, the United States, in support of its own interests, should take every reasonable step to keep a pathway open to resuming the full implementation of New START.