Point well taken, but my emphasis was not only on the gap itself (sorry if that was not conveyed clearly in my post). it is clear that if any two nations focus on similarities they could make something out of it (hey look how the US and Saudis co-operate).

I wanted to point out the unwillingness of Russians (and their government) to come to terms with the fact that they lost the Cold War and are now a developing country (although they are included in G8, I think this is just a political favor).

When we take this attitude of them, consider their inherent xenofobic nature to anything/anyone that is not Russian or more or less ex-Soviet, add to the equasion their grief about losing their influence in the world (and blaming the US for it) and put that all into historical tensions betwen the two countries, it becomes clear that the US has better chances of landing a deal with Al-Qaeda than bridging a gap with Russians.

That’s just my opinion.

Thanks for your comments. As I say in the post, I agree that this is not likely to happen. I wrote the post to highlight a path (probably) not to be taken.

All this put aside, I think there is a HUGE gap between how Russians see the world and how Americans view it and that gap is virtually impossible to bridge.

This I am less inclined to agree with. Compared to whom? The Europeans? Iranians? Chinese? Of course there is some gap between the world views of any two cultures, but in this case I think it is far from insurmountable.

Nonpon,

Thanks very much for pointing out that interesting article. Good to know I have an ally in Kyrgyzstan (Муратбек Иманалиев)!

I heard this morning the US president could not attend the G8 meeting because he felt sick. I wonder if Mr.Putin’s offer had something to do with it ;)

Would someone please check the President for traces of plutonium?

My predition is that this will not happen. Not at least when Putin is in power. The end of the Cold War and what had ensued, left Russki “Patriots” with a bitter aftertaste.

The collapse of the Soviet Union brought chaos and humiliation for once proud and relatively prospering nation. THey lost their influence in the world and in FSU territories.

Especially painful for Russians was the loss of influence over Eastern Europe (Poland, CzechoSlovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and their last outpost-former Ugoslavia).

I believe that in majority of these countries (and especially in Czech Republic) Russians were never popular. So when Eastern Europe looked at the fall of Soviet Union as liberation, I am sure some Russki “patriot” hearts and minds could do nothing but blame the US for their demise.

It so happens that these folks are now running the country now and are trying desparately to re-establish the old “glory” of Russia in the world politics.

With oil prices high and having a monopoly over gas supplies to Europe this has never been easier. I think that basically these two factors are the main drivers behind the recent not-so soft rhetorics. Missle defence system was just a trigger event.

All this put aside, I think there is a HUGE gap between how Russians see the world and how Americans view it and that gap is virtually impossible to bridge.

That alone in normal folks in Russia creates some kind of prejudice against Americans. I have many times come across folks who would just say “I just don’t get Americans”.

In short expect colder relationships bw Russia and the US. This is sad, but hey it is better to know who is your friend and who is not now.

I think the US is in denial about Russia’s true attitude or it is playing a dumb/delicate game (you choose which based on information available to you and your personal inclination).

PS: Regarding cooperation in CA. I am afraid that plan is flawed since Russians think that CA is their “territory of influence” and see no other country as having a role. Same goes for Caucasus. Look at what is happening with Georgia (which is trying to break away from Russian influence) and you will know what I mean.