Russia's wrong direction : what the United States can and should do : report of an independent task force

More than a decade and a half after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Russian- American relations continue a cyclical pattern in which high hopes for cooperation alternate with disappointment. After September 11, the formula for the relationshipbuilding on several strong common interests while marginalizing issues on which agreement was not possibleseemed a clear success. Positive results led many in both countries to declare that Russian-American relations had never been more productive or enjoyed stronger domestic support in each country. Yet with Presidents Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush now serving second terms, the outlook is considerably less certain. Cooperation has been weaker than expected, even on issues where Russian and American interests were believed to coincide. Even more important, internal developments in Russia and its treatment of neighbors have severely damaged Putins reputation in the West. This bipartisan Independent Task Force on Russian-American relations examines the track record of the past five years and suggests a strategy for making the most of both challenges and opportunities. Introduction And Overview -- Russia's Social And Economic Transformation... -- ...and De-democratization -- U.s.-russian Relations Today -- Finding 1: Partnership, Selective Cooperation, Or...? -- Findings 2: Democracy And Integration -- Recommendations 1: Security -- Recommendations 2: Energy, Trade, And Environmental Cooperation -- Recommendations 3: Dealing With An Authoritarian Russia -- Conclusion. [task Force Chairs, John Edwards And Jack Kemp ; Project Director, Stephen Sestanovich]. Sponsored By The Council On Foreign Relations. Includes Bibliographical References (page 61). Also Available Online Via The Internet.