ABSTRACT
The impact of the US war against Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan brought Russia into a closer relationship with the United States and set it more firmly on the path of security, political and economic integration with the West. Putin’s decision to support US policy (with acceptance of US forces and bases in Central Asia, the offer of overflight rights and support for search-and-rescue missions, sharing of substantial intelligence, and endorsement of US military trainers in Georgia), his silencing of official dissent, concrete policy concessions (the ABM treaty, offensive arms talks, and NATO enlargement) and priorities (WTO, trade deals, and investment) are evidence that there is more to the Russian orientation toward the United States than feel-good politics and personal relationships.
