Vladimir Putin and the Evolution of Russian Foreign Policy

Bobo Lo is an Associate Fellow at the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House, and the Visiting Fellow at the Carnegie Moscow Center. He has written extensively on Russian foreign and security policy as an independent researcher and, previously, as First Secretary and then Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Moscow (1995-99).

• Acknowledgments viiAbout the author ix1 The Putin phenomenon 12 The inheritance 9Identity and self-perception 11The political context 18The institutional context 21The foreign policy panorama 23Conclusion 293 The policy-making environment 31A cast of thousands? 32The primacy of the individual and the making (and breaking) of policy 42All together now? 46Conclusion 494 The economic agenda 51The ‘unaturalness’ of economics 51Foreign policy and economic reform 53The integration agenda and globalization 57The profit motive 61Geoeconomics and geopolitics 65Economization and a ‘balanced’ foreign policy 695 Security and geopolitics 72The geopolitical mindset 72Change and continuity in Russian strategic thinking 74The evolution of threat perceptions 83The future of security and geopolitics – from anachronism to rebirth? 946 Identity, values and civilization 97The burden of the past 98Integration with the West 101Identification with the West and the evolution of theRussian world-view 109Conclusion 1137 11 September and after 115Policy-making – image and reality 117The economic agenda – Westernization with qualifications 121A new conception of security? 123The repackaging of identity 127Strategic opportunism 129Towards a sustainable foreign policy 130Notes 133Index 161

"This is a particularly lucid, well-informed and sensible analysis of Putin's approach to Russian foreign policy which professionals and laymen alike can read with pleasure as well as profit." Sir Rodric Braithwaite, former UK Ambassador to Russia "A well written and vigorously argued book. It is the best overall assessment to date of Putin's foreign policy." Dr Alex Pravda, Director, Russian and East European Centre, St Antony’s College, University of Oxford "Bobo Lo's insight into the opaque world of Russian foreign policy is unique. The way perceptions and myths mix with pragmatism and cynicism to form Moscow's outlook on the world is a fascinating read, which should remain a standard work in its field for a long time." Konstantin Eggert, BBC Russian Service Bureau Chief in Moscow "This is a Chatham House Paper at its best: the analysis is very well informed, the argument is succinct and persuasive and the presentation is accessible. Bobo Lo's examination of Russian foreign policy under Putin is the best work on the subject ... This work is not just a powerful contribution to the literature; it is likely to become the starting point for discussions of current Russian foreign policy ... his work sets the agenda." International Affairs