Righting Relations with Russia

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/world-report/articles/2016-10-27/whether-trump-or-clinton-next-president-should-strive-to-work-with-russia

Righting Relations with Russia

Working through our challenges with Russia will be worth the next president’s time.

By William Courtney | Contributor

Oct. 27, 2016

MOSCOW – The next U.S. president will inherit a troubled relationship with Russia, but one that over a quarter century has brought much benefit despite severe challenges. America has not sought to isolate or weaken Russia, but opposes its aggression, as in Ukraine, and humanitarian threats, as in Syria. U.S. engagement has helped Russia build a stronger economy and be more open to the world. The Kremlin's current anti-Western stridency coincides with rising internal repression, which may limit what the next U.S. president can do to improve relations.

Puzzlingly, Russian state media is now spewing war scare rhetoric. Some observers say this presages renewed aggression in Ukraine; others that the aim is to deter America from challenging Russia in Syria. It may also reflect leadership worry about popular unrest, implied also by the recent shift to direct Kremlin control of a 400,000-strong armed force. In any event, policy toward America will remain forceful, and at times be harsh or unpredictable. http://www.usnews.com/opinion/world-report/articles/2016-10-27/whether-trump-or-clinton-next-president-should-strive-to-work-with-russia