Nov. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said the U.S. has reached a “breakthrough” in relations with Russia as the Obama administration seeks to harness the Kremlin’s influence on the global stage.
“The world is different now -- Russia is no longer an ideological adversary,” Kissinger said in an interview with the state-run broadcaster Russia Today. “A considerable breakthrough has already been made.”
The former Cold War rivals are leaving behind a 60-year legacy of disagreements and finding common ground on arms control, missile defense and Iran’s nuclear program, Kissinger said. Progress will continue, he added.
Kissinger, 86, pushed the policy of detente 40 years ago, helping thaw relations with the Soviet Union and reaching key arms control agreements. The former U.S. chief diplomat met Russian President Dmitry Medvedev twice after Barack Obama’s election, laying the groundwork for a “reset” in relations.
The two countries will end up with a “very parallel position” on how to deal with Iran, Kissinger said. Russia is one of six world powers negotiating with the Islamic republic over its nuclear program.
I agree with him. It does appear that relations with Russia have progressed substantially in the previous year.
I doubt flyinbob could actually provide any examples that credibly show that Putin is pulling the strings. Of course, he's never much on actual backing for his absurd statements.
I doubt flyinbob could actually provide any examples that credibly show that Putin is pulling the strings. Of course, he's never much on actual backing for his absurd statements.
You do know that Medvedev was Putin's hand-picked successor, and Putin is the prime minister, supposedly number 2, right?
Many analysts believe Dmitry Medvedev is acting as a seat warmer for his predecessor. (AFP: Joel Saget)
President Dmitry Medvedev says he might not object to swapping jobs with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, as the ruling duo keep Russia guessing about their plans.
Asked during a meeting with American students at the University of Pittsburgh on Thursday whether he was prepared to exchange places with his powerful mentor, Mr Medvedev said he would not mind as long as he could be helpful.
...Analysts are closely watching Russia's ruling tandem for any signs of possible discord, and some wonder whether Mr Medvedev is willing to break out from Mr Putin's embrace and strike out on his own.
Many believe Mr Putin is the country's real chief and that Mr Medvedev is acting as a seat warmer for his predecessor.
That's not evidence that Putin is "pulling the strings."
Maybe he just meant in his first post that Putin is pulling the strings in Russia, not in the relationship with the US. That doesn't validate his claim about breakthroughs, though.
That's not evidence that Putin is "pulling the strings."
Indeed. Hasn't Putin been getting the sh!ts lately because Medvedev is being more independant, iirc one of the specifics was the more positive tone he was taking toward US-Russian relations
I agree with him. It does appear that relations with Russia have progressed substantially in the previous year.
How so? While I don't think our relationship has gotten worse, how has it improved? Do you call our reneging on a deal to place BMDs in Poland a "victory" for US-Russian relations?
How so? While I don't think our relationship has gotten worse, how has it improved? Do you call our reneging on a deal to place BMDs in Poland a "victory" for US-Russian relations?
Even the best of allies have disagreements (see: U.S.-Israel and settlement building in the West Bank). Ergo, I don't think any one particular policy conflict is indicative of much. But more importantly, I don't think your example speaks to the U.S.-Russia relationship in a negative way at all. In fact, it is the opposite. It is evidence that we don't see Russia as the power broker in Eastern Europe anymore nor do we see them as a particularly big threat. So yes, I think it is actually a very good sign.
It is evidence that we don't see Russia as the power broker in Eastern Europe anymore nor do we see them as a particularly big threat. So yes, I think it is actually a very good sign.
Exactly. Although it was great to see that Bush came up with this plan to stop the evil Soviets ever marching into "New Europe" again, but when push came to shove last year and little Caucus ally Georgia got routed in a few hours, there was a lot of flustering but very little action. The Russians entered at their own will and left at a time of their choosing; with a nice new parcel of land to call their own.
Exactly. Although it was great to see that Bush came up with this plan to stop the evil Soviets ever marching into "New Europe" again, but when push came to shove last year and little Caucus ally Georgia got routed in a few hours, there was a lot of flustering but very little action. The Russians entered at their own will and left at a time of their choosing; with a nice new parcel of land to call their own.
Georgia learned, to its sorrow, that you can only really lip off to the Russians *after* you join NATO.
Meanwhile, what we've seen demonstrated is that the Russians don't take Obama seriously, and what our allies have learned is that he will throw them under the bus for a little "feel good" mojo.
O/H
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Let's try something different, let's *think* for a change. BANNER SEVENTEEN, BABY!
