Russian president Dmitry Medvedev claims to have pressed the “reset” button on US-Russia relations. Just in case you believed it, make sure you go through the rhetorical checklist first:
- Does he admit some small flaw or challenge? Check.
“It is hard to dispute the pessimistic assessments of the Russian-American relationship that prevailed at the end of last year.”
- Does he talk about some multilateral solution that involves a map or some other illustrative metaphor? Check.
“The exchange of letters between myself and President Obama this year showed mutual readiness to build mature bilateral relations in a pragmatic and businesslike manner. For that we have a “road map” — the Strategic Framework Declaration our countries signed in Sochi in 2008″
- Does he quote some historical figure, as if the words predetermine foreign relations? Check.
“Long ago, Alexis de Tocqueville predicted a great future for our two nations. So far, each country has tried to prove the truth of those words to itself and the world by acting on its own. I firmly believe that at this turn of history, we should work together.”
Speaking of which, the geniuses at the Council on Foreign Relations have done it again; another thorough report FYI. It’s not exactly a current event, but the issue of missile defense is definitely a contentious one that threatens to subtly undermine our already-tepid relations with Russia.
Check out this CFR report on the origins and status of missile defense capability, and the perceived first-strike threat that keeps even our foreign allies from truly trusting the United States.
