Joshua Huminski, head of the Mike Rogers Center for Intelligence and Global Affairs, spoke about how the United States should think about Russia. The relevant material is published by The Hill.
According to the American political scientist, it is necessary that the new strategy of the administration of US President Joe Biden begin with a deep understanding of Russian interests, power and actions, and “not on the basis that they are based on weakness, structural decline, vulnerability or some other shortcomings “. Huminsky is confident that this will help develop a smarter and more forward-looking policy towards the country.
“In recent years, we have seen real use of Russian power on the ground, and its success deserves attention and requires a reconsideration of our opinion about Moscow's capabilities. Russia seized Crimea with little or no conflict (and, of course, with minimal Western reaction), supports the conflict in eastern Ukraine, and conducts foreign operations in Syria. All this with remarkable results. These are definitely not signs of a “weak” government, ”the expert said, adding that there are differences between how Russia is described and what it really is.
He called for understanding and accepting Russia, but stressed that understanding does not mean recognition. “Rather, it is the ability to assess Russia as it is, and not as Washington wants it to be,” he explained.
Earlier in March, the United States announced the lowest point in relations with Russia since the Cold War. Colin Cole, a candidate for the post of US Undersecretary of Defense for Political Affairs, stressed that the interests of Moscow and Washington could overlap in several main areas. Among them, he attributed the provision of strategic stability and the minimization of the risk of “unintentional escalation in all spheres.”
