The Journal of Diplomacy and International Relations
Institution:
School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Seton Hall University
Abstract:
According to classical realism, diplomacy is the means by which states
defend their interests and achieve their objectives short of war, using a
mixture of persuasion, compromise, and the threat of force. In the quartercentury since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian diplomacy has
evolved from a passive, Western-orientation toward a muscular, multilateral
and assertive posture. In the immediate post-perestroika years Russian
diplomacy reflected the nascent democratic character of the new Russia, and
the search for a new post-Soviet identity. Since Vladimir Putin ascended to
the presidency, Russian diplomacy has become highly effective at several
diplomatic issues. These include: Promoting and representing Russian
national interests; defending key principles of sovereignty; non-interference
in internal affairs; and respect for Russia as a great power; consolidating
the former Soviet space as a privileged sphere of Russian influence; and
addressing Russia’s vital security concerns in the Eurasian region, including
concerns with The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the
European Union (EU) expansion eastward.
Topic:
Security, Diplomacy, Politics, History, and Military Affairs
Russia experienced its revolution late in the game. By that time, most Western countries had already gone through coups and industrialization and promptly rejected feudal rules and practices. Most importantly, they had had enough time to resign themselves to their revolutions and their consequences and national scars left by any upheaval had healed. Moreover, countries and peoples are – if not proud – not ashamed of the past events. In terms of historical memory, revolutions are often reconciled with national archetypes.
Topic:
Politics, History, Revolution, and Russian Revolution
The US Constitution vests the president, the head of the executive branch, with considerable power to formulate the country’s foreign policy. Regardless of the proactive stance of some Congressmen in dealing with external issues, America’s foreign policy has historically been shaped by presidents, their temperament, experience, ideological leanings, and quite often it has been affected by their domestic policy. The latter can be central to understanding and forecasting the Trump administration’s steps related to Russia.
Nowadays only the elites can initiate and introduce changes in the US-Russian interaction. Economic cooperation is also limited.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Politics, Donald Trump, and Economic Cooperation