Vladimir Putin and the Evolution of Russian Foreign Policy

Almost three years after the first voluntary handover of power in Russian history, this book examines Putin's management of this complex agenda, and considers how Moscow's current approach to international relations resembles and differs from that under Yeltsin. Examines Putin's management of Russia's foreign policy two years after the first voluntary handover of power in Russian history. Considers how Moscow's current approach to international relations resembles and differs from that under Yeltsin. Analyses whether changes in foreign policy have been qualitative, or largely cosmetic. Explores growing talk of a ‘strategic partnership&apos' with the US and the West. Assesses the realism of such hopes and considers whether we are indeed witnessing a strategic shift in the mentality and conduct of such Russian foreign policy.

Acknowledgments vii About the author ix 1 The Putin phenomenon 1 2 The inheritance 9 Identity and self-perception 11 The political context 18 The institutional context 21 The foreign policy panorama 23 Conclusion 29 3 The policy-making environment 31 A cast of thousands? 32 The primacy of the individual and the making (and breaking) of policy 42 All together now? 46 Conclusion 49 4 The economic agenda 51 The ‘unaturalness’ of economics 51 Foreign policy and economic reform 53 The integration agenda and globalization 57 The profit motive 61 Geoeconomics and geopolitics 65 Economization and a ‘balanced’ foreign policy 69 5 Security and geopolitics 72 The geopolitical mindset 72 Change and continuity in Russian strategic thinking 74 The evolution of threat perceptions 83 The future of security and geopolitics – from anachronism to rebirth? 94 6 Identity, values and civilization 97 The burden of the past 98 Integration with the West 101 Identification with the West and the evolution of the Russian world-view 109 Conclusion 113 7 11 September and after 115 Policy-making – image and reality 117 The economic agenda – Westernization with qualifications 121 A new conception of security? 123 The repackaging of identity 127 Strategic opportunism 129 Towards a sustainable foreign policy 130 Notes 133 Index 161