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.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments. About the Author. 1. The Putin Phenomenon:. 2. The Inheritance:. Identity and Self-Perception. The Political Context. The Institutional Context. The Foreign Policy Panorama. Conclusion. 3. The Policy-Making Environment:. A Cast of Thousands?. The Primacy of the Individual and the Making (and Breaking) of Policy. All Together Now?. Conclusion. 4. The Economic Agenda:. The 'Unaturalness' of Economics. Foreign Policy and Economic Reform. The Integration Agenda and Globalization. The Profit Motive. Geoeconomics and Geopolitics. Economization and a 'Balanced' Foreign Policy. 5. Security and Geopolitics:. The Geopolitical Mindset. Change and Continuity in Russian Strategic Thinking. The Evolution of Threat Perceptions.The Future of Security and Geopolitics - From Anachronism to Rebirth?. 6. Identity, Values and Civilization:. The Burden of the Past. Integration with the West. Identification with the West and the Evolution of the Russian World-View. Conclusion. 7. 11 September and After:. Policy-Making - Image and Reality. The Economic Agenda - Westernization with Qualifications. A New Conception of Security?. The Repacking of Identity. Strategic Opportunism. Towards a Sustainable Foreign Policy. Notes. Index.

About the Author :
Bobo Lo is an Associate Fellow at the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House, and the Visiting Fellow at the Carnegie Moscow Center. He has written extensively on Russian foreign and security policy as an independent researcher and, previously, as First Secretary and then Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Moscow (1995-99).

Review :
"This is a particularly lucid, well-informed and sensible analysis of Putin's approach to Russian foreign policy which professionals and laymen alike can read with pleasure as well as profit." Sir Rodric Braithwaite, former UK Ambassador to Russia "A well written and vigorously argued book. It is the best overall assessment to date of Putin's foreign policy." Dr Alex Pravda, Director, Russian and East European Centre, St Antony's College, University of Oxford "Bobo Lo's insight into the opaque world of Russian foreign policy is unique. The way perceptions and myths mix with pragmatism and cynicism to form Moscow's outlook on the world is a fascinating read, which should remain a standard work in its field for a long time." Konstantin Eggert, BBC Russian Service Bureau Chief in Moscow "This is a Chatham House Paper at its best: the analysis is very well informed, the argument is succinct and persuasive and the presentation is accessible. Bobo Lo's examination of Russian foreign policy under Putin is the best work on the subject ... This work is not just a powerful contribution to the literature; it is likely to become the starting point for discussions of current Russian foreign policy ... his work sets the agenda." International Affairs