Not by Bread Alone

Since its independence in 1991, Russia has struggled with the growing pains of defining its role in international politics. After Vladimir Putin ascended to power in 2000, the country undertook grandiose foreign policy projects in an attempt to delineate its place among the worlds superpowers. With this in mind, Robert Nalbandov examines the milestones of Russias international relations since the turn of the twenty-first century. He focuses on the specific goals, engagement practices, and tools used by Putins administration to promote Russias vital national and strategic interests in specific geographic locations. His findings illuminate Putins foreign policy objective of reinstituting Russian global strategic dominance. Nalbandov argues that identity-based politics have dominated Putins tenure and that Russias east/west split is reflected in Asian-European politics. Nalbandovs analysis shows that unchecked domestic power, an almost exclusive application of hard power, and determined ambition for unabridged global influence and a defined place as a world superpower are the keys to Putins Russia.