Foreign Affairs: Reflexive Hostility to Russia Harms US Interests

Many US leaders automatically adopt a tough stance on Russia to counter the US president’s reticence: “bipartisan enmity toward Russia has pushed even Trump, whose rhetoric on the country often vacillates between open hostility and admiration, to adopt reflexively hawkish policies, from purposeless sanctions to nuclear saber rattling,” notes Emma Ashford for Foreign Affairs. She encourages reengagement and and reduced confrontation. Foreign policy should address specific belligerent behavior, including election meddling and aggression to neighbors, but avoid “pointless conflict” over broad differences that do not represent security concerns. The US should communicate its specific priorities, redlines and possible responses – for example, releasing details on corrupt Kremlin figures. Ashford concludes that ongoing hostility only makes the situation worse. – YaleGlobal