- How long have you been involved in
following political developments in Russia?
- I have been a staff assistant in the Congress
for 20 years and on the staff of the International Relations Committee for the
past 8 years. During this time I have followed Russian affairs closely.
- In recent times, the U.S.
government expressed its disapproval of Putin’s
authoritarianism. In light of that, should American companies that want to work
in Russia
fear instability?
- It would not appear that Putin’s
style of governing is creating a climate of instability. In fact, it appears
that most Russians favor this kind of managed approach as opposed to the
somewhat chaotic years of the previous government. Investors seem to remain
interested in Russia
despite the Yukos problem. Businesses which wish to
work in Russia
must make their own cost-benefit analysis to determine whether the existence of
corruption, the role of the security services, the indecision over a reform
agenda and the way business could be treated if they crossed the government is too
much of a risk for investing.
- At present, in what ways do Russia
and the United
States cooperate
on governmental levels?
- There still is cooperation taking place at the
counter-terrorism level including intelligence sharing. Proliferation of weapons and the destruction
of wmd seems to be
working. It appears that on some
economic fronts such as Russia’s
interest in the WTO and in the energy sector there is continued cooperation. Russia
seems to be more sensitive to our concerns over Iran’s
nuclear program and seems interested in helping resolve our difficulties with North
Korea.
- How have
U.S.-Russia political and economic relations evolved since Perestroika through
the 1990’s?
- During
the mid- to late 1990’s, there seemed to be great optimism that U.S.-Russia
relations would enter a new era of cooperation and that much could be
accomplished. Even when President Putin and President Bush met for the first time many still
felt that the relationship, despite some concerns for the pace of democratic
reform in Russia,
could be very positive. However, except
for the brief period after September
11, 2001, when counter-terrorism cooperation improved,
relations between Moscow
and Washington
seem to have entered a holding period as both sides try to assess which way the
relationship can proceed from here.
- How do U.S.-Russia political and
economic relations look for the next 5 years? What factors are necessary for
their successful development?
- It
is unclear where this relationship will go over the next 5 years. I do not believe either side fully knows what
it wants out of the relationship. Putin seems to want to regain a modicum of international
respect as a major influence in the world but his approach to democracy, human
rights and Russia’s
near abroad including Ukraine,
Belarus Moldova and Georgia
is opposite what the U.S.
wants for Russia
and for those nations. The Congress will
continue to demand more political and economic liberalism within Russia
and will demand more cooperation on Iran,
Iraq
and N. Korea. Economic and trade still seems to have some
promise if the environment for doing business appears to be more favorable.
- Is Russian-American cooperation
important for the current world order?
- Yes. Although
it may not be as important as before because many do not believe Russia
can become the security threat to the U.S.
as it was in the past. Many here in the U.S.
wonder why the Russians have not appreciated the fact that closer U.S.-Russia
ties could serve both countries well as we deal with the international
environment. Many believe Russia
still sees the U.S.
as competitors and even adversaries and thus refuses to make the policy
adjustments necessary to strengthen the partnership. Many see little advantage for Russia
in taking the positions it takes regarding Iran,
N. Korea, military
forces in Moldova,
its support for Abkhazia and pressure on Ukraine. Neither do people here understand why Putin is so reluctant to embrace democracy more fully or to
pursue a reform agenda. Until those attitude change on both sides, it would not appear
that the U.S.
and Russia
will move much closer to each other.
