Russian Foreign Policy: The Return of Great Power Politics by Jeffrey Mankoff

From the Publisher

This thoughtful and balanced text examines the development of Russian foreign policy since the end of the Cold War. Presenting an even-handed treatment of controversial issues, Jeffrey Mankoff analyzes Russia's interactions with major global actors, including the United States, the European Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and China. Despite Moscow's often-harsh rhetoric and the deployment of Russian forces against Georgia in 2008, the author convincingly demonstrates that today's Russia is more interested in restoring what its leaders consider to be its rightful place among the world's major powers than in directly challenging the West. Thoroughly researched and knowledgeable, this book will be invaluable for all students of Russia.

Library Journal

Mankoff (international security studies, Yale) makes a solid case that since the mid-1990s Russia has been verbally aggressive in proclaiming its own interests despite Western opposition. Russia's turn from the West originated when Yevgeny Primakov became prime minister under Boris Yeltsin, which the Russian people supported. Mankoff shows how Vladimir Putin and Dmitri Medvedev made a real effort to downplay minor differences with the United States while stressing that the increased economic benefit Russia has derived from its energy resources has allowed it to back up its words with actions in its recent military conflict with Georgia. Mankoff comprehensively analyzes Russia's relations with the United States, Europe, China, and the former Soviet states, concluding that Russia's helpful suggestions for solving international problems should be given more weight. VERDICT The book is not narrative history, which may hinder its readability for the general public, but for students and scholars of international affairs, there is no better choice regarding Russian foreign relations. A thoughtful corrective to Edward Lucas's compelling but slightly alarmist The New Cold War: Putin's Russia and the Threat to the West.—Rob Langenderfer, Brown Mackie Coll. Lib., Ft. Mitchell, KY

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Table of Contents