Radnitz, Scott B2020-10-072020-06-152020-10-072020http://hdl.handle.net/1773/46270It is clear that tensions between the United States and Russia have once again escalated to a level similar to where they were during the Cold War. Emerging hostilities within current relations give the appearance of poor conditions for cooperation in either implementing new policies or upholding existing ones in the region. Throughout just the last decade of foreign relations with Russia, the US has seen a serious deterioration in relations that it incorrectly attributes to the Kremlin’s refusal to acknowledge the resilience of the ideology that drives liberal world order.1 US beliefs about freedom and democracy have clouded their ability to see the world through another frame of reference. Russia’s point of view, however, sees current US hegemony as a practical threat to the cultivation of their own power in a new multipolar world order. Because of this, US policy often operates with a limited understanding of Russian motivations. Responding to crises perpetuated by Russia will be ineffective if the US does not seek to understand the reasoning behind its actions, especially considering the Russian national discourse against Western foreign policy. In light of this, our Task Force proposes to address current issues in US-Russia relations by recognizing Russia’s political, economic, and cultural legitimacy and ability to act as a sovereign state while upholding US moral standards and security interests. Historically, both confrontation and cooperation have not been effective in achieving US goals; therefore, the US must seek cooperation wherever possible. We acknowledge that certain priorities may increase tensions, but the policies we recommend are still in the best interest of US stability and security.report