战略与国际研究中心-TWQ_-A-Less-Ideological-America_8页_164kb

A Less Ideological America: Summary

Core Content

This document analyzes the evolving dynamics of U.S.-Russia relations in the lead-up to the 2008 U.S. presidential election. It highlights the shift in U.S. foreign policy from ideological to pragmatic, as well as Russia's strategic and ideological expectations from the next U.S. administration. The piece is written by Dmitri Trenin, a prominent Russian analyst, and reflects Moscow's perspective on how the United States should engage with Russia and the global order.

Main Views and Key Information

1. U.S. Foreign Policy Shift

• There is a consensus that the U.S. will undergo a major foreign policy adjustment after the Bush administration.
• The next administration is expected to be less ideological and more pragmatic, focusing on national interests rather than global ideological campaigns.
• Russia hopes that the U.S. will move away from its "democratic fundamentalism" and "anti-authoritarian crusades."

2. Russia's Expectations from the U.S.

• Russia views U.S. talk of values as disingenuous and hypocritical, often serving as a tool for global expansionism.
• It seeks a more balanced and cooperative approach, where the U.S. recognizes the legitimacy of other regimes and respects Russian interests.
• Russia prefers a "live and let live" attitude, where multiple values systems coexist without one dominating the others.

3. Security and Geopolitical Concerns

• Russia is concerned about U.S. military presence in the post-Soviet space and the inclusion of countries like Ukraine and Georgia in NATO.
• It opposes the deployment of missile defense systems in Poland and the Czech Republic, which it sees as a threat to its strategic interests.
• Russia wants to negotiate a new strategic arms control agreement to replace START I and to avoid the "Third Position Area" (TPA) plan.

4. Global Decision-Making and Economic Relations

• Russia advocates for a more inclusive global decision-making process, involving major powers like itself, China, and others.
• It supports multilateral approaches to issues like nuclear proliferation, such as the six-party talks on North Korea.
• Russia wants the U.S. to engage in consultations with other major powers and to abandon the "Washington consensus" in favor of more cooperative economic policies.
• It also seeks greater inclusion in international financial institutions, such as the G-8 and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

5. U.S. Presidential Candidates and Russian Perceptions

• Russian elites are cautious about the implications of the Obama presidency for U.S.-Russian relations.
• They see Republicans as potentially more pragmatic in foreign policy, despite the Bush administration's focus on democracy promotion.
• Some Russians believe the U.S. is in decline and that its global influence is waning, which they see as an opportunity to assert their own role in the international system.

6. Russia's Role in the Global System

• Russia does not seek to become a challenger or an ally of the U.S. in the traditional sense.
• Instead, it aims to be a pivotal player in shaping the global order, with a focus on security, economic cooperation, and mutual respect.
• It emphasizes the concept of "sovereign democracy," which rejects external interference and promotes equality among major powers.

Conclusion

The document underscores the need for the U.S. to adopt a more pragmatic and less ideological approach in its foreign policy, particularly toward Russia. Russia, in turn, desires recognition of its interests and a more cooperative international order. While tensions persist, particularly over the post-Soviet space and nuclear issues, both sides are looking for a way to move beyond the Cold War paradigm and engage in a more balanced and mutually beneficial relationship.