The Foreign Policy of Russia

Comprehensive Overview of "The Foreign Policy of Russia" by Robert H. Donaldson, Vidya Nadkarni

Key Themes

1. Historical Perspective: The book provides a historical analysis of Russian foreign policy, tracing its lineage from tsarist times to the post-communist era. It highlights the continuities and changes in Russia's behavior in the world, including major sources of change and variability over the revolutionary period, wartime alliances, and the Cold War.

2. Realism and National Interest: The book uses a modified realism framework, emphasizing the balance of power and the importance of national interest in shaping Russian foreign policy. It identifies both internal and external factors that condition Russian policy.

3. International Relations: The text covers Russia's relations with major powers, post-communist states, and regional issues. It includes detailed discussions on tensions with the United States, engagement with Ukraine, Crimea, and Syria, as well as international security issues like arms control, sanctions, and intervention.

4. Domestic Factors: The book explores how domestic factors such as natural resource politics, human rights, Islamism, and terrorism influence Russian foreign policy.

5. Strategic Alliances: It examines Russia's strategic relationships with countries like China and India, as well as its interactions with the "Non-West" and the "Collective West".

Plot Summary

The book is organized chronologically, with chapters that cover different periods of Russian history:

• Tsarist Roots: Chapter 2 explores the origins of Russian foreign policy under the tsars.
• Soviet Foreign Policy: Chapters 3 and 4 delve into Soviet foreign policy from the revolution to the Cold War.
• Domestic Factors: Chapter 5 discusses how domestic factors shape Russian foreign policy.
• Post-Soviet Era: Chapters 7 and 8 focus on Yeltsin's era and Russia's relations with former Soviet states.
• Modern Era: Chapters 9 to 12 cover Russia's strategic triangle with China and India, its relations with the "Non-West," and its confrontations with the United States and the "Collective West" under Putin's leadership.

Critical Reception

The book has received positive reviews for its comprehensive and accessible analysis of Russian foreign policy. It is praised for its ability to provide both a description and an explanation of Russia's behavior in international politics, making it suitable for both students and researchers.

Editions and Publication

The book has been updated to its seventh edition, incorporating new coverage of contemporary issues and events. The first edition was published in 2014, and subsequent editions have maintained its reputation as a reliable source on Russian foreign policy.

Additional Resources

For further research, the book is recommended as a starting point, and readers are advised to follow the citations and references to explore more in-depth studies on specific topics. The book is available in various academic libraries and can be accessed through interlibrary loan services if not available locally.