Washington's Cold War Containment Strategy Is Still Alive and Well

A new U.S. president has been sworn into office, and with the change in leadership will no doubt come adjustments to Washington's relationships with several countries -- perhaps most of all Russia. U.S. President Donald Trump campaigned on the promise of increasing cooperation with Moscow, particularly on the Syrian battlefield. At the same time he questioned the value of Washington's commitment to its Eurasian allies, such as Ukraine and the Baltic states. Combined with Trump's criticism of U.S. sanctions against Russia and his hesitation to blame the Kremlin for hacking Democratic National Committee email accounts, these positions could signal a shift in the White House's stance toward Russia to come. However, campaign rhetoric does not always match actions taken once in power, especially when it comes to policies rooted in enduring geopolitical realities. ...