ABSTRACT
Vladimir Putin’s first two presidential terms coincided with the emergence of global terrorism as one of the dominant issues of international politics. For about a year after September 11, 2001, Putin remained steadfast in his commitment to the partnership with the United States. Putin and Chinese President Jiang Zemin signed a joint declaration expressing concern over US plans to build a national missile defense system. Additionally, they pledged strategic cooperation between Russia and China, and joint efforts to establish a multipolar world and the maintenance of a global balance of power. Congressional refusal to comply with Bush’s request added to Russia’s discomfiture and undermined Russia’s hopes to enter the American market with its exports. Differences over democracy were not limited to Putin’s domestic politics. A major bone of contention during 2004–2005 was the struggle over what kinds of regimes would be tolerated in the post-Soviet space.
