SSB Lecturette Notes: US-Russia Relations (2025): From Cold War Rivalry to Strategic Confrontation

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🇺🇸🇷🇺 US-Russia Relations

🔍 Introduction

• Key Idea: A historically complex relationship, evolving from Cold War rivalry to brief cooperation, now marked by deep tension.
• Significance: Involves two major nuclear powers with global influence on security, economy, and international order.

📜 Historical Overview (Brief)• 2008 Georgia War: Russian assertiveness emerges. • 2014 Crimea Annexation: Major rupture, Western sanctions begin. • US Election Interference Allegations. • Syria: US and Russia support opposing factions. |

⚔️ Key Areas of Conflict & Tension

• Ukraine War (2022–present)
  • Russia’s full-scale invasion.
  • US response: military aid, sanctions, NATO reinforcement.
  • Result: Deepest crisis since Cold War.
• NATO Expansion
  • Russia sees it as a threat; US/NATO defend sovereign choice.
• Arms Control
  • Breakdown of treaties (e.g., INF), rise of hypersonics and AI weapons.
• Cybersecurity
  • Mutual accusations of cyberattacks and election interference.
• Human Rights
  • US criticism of Russia’s record (e.g., Navalny’s imprisonment).
• Energy Politics
  • Russia’s leverage over Europe; US push for diversification.
• Strategic Competition
  • Rival influence in Middle East, Africa, Arctic.

🤝 Areas of Limited or Potential Cooperation

• Strategic Stability & Nuclear Risk Reduction
  • Shared interest in avoiding nuclear escalation.
• Space Exploration
  • Continued (though strained) collaboration on the ISS.
• Counter-terrorism (historically)
  • Occasional alignment against common threats.
• Non-proliferation
  • Mutual goal to prevent WMD spread.

🔮 Future Outlook

• Highly Uncertain
  • Dependent on Ukraine war outcome and domestic politics.
• Continued Confrontation Likely
  • Deep distrust and clashing visions of global order.
• Limited Engagement Possible
  • Pragmatic cooperation on arms control or crisis prevention.
• Multipolar Dynamics
  • Rise of China, India reshapes strategic landscape.

🧭 Conclusion

• The relationship stands at a critical juncture.
• Full cooperation is unlikely, but managing risks and maintaining dialogue is essential for global stability.