Ask the Expert - Charap on U.S.-Russia Relations

What does it mean that the Obama administration has hit the "reset button" on U.S.-Russia relations?

The reset button was a tactic intended to improve the toxic atmosphere that existed between the two countries toward the end of the Bush administration. At that point, especially following the war in Georgia in August 2008, the two countries were incapable of discussion issues of mutual concern and managing their disagreements. The reset button was intended to ratchet down tensions and create a productive environment where the two countries could engage in productive discussions on the issues facing them and the world. To a certain extent, the reset button has been a success. We saw this most prominently in the London joint statement where the two presidents outlined a broad agenda of over 20 initiatives that the two countries should be working on. The real test for the reset button will come, however, when the two presidents meet in July at their first summit.

What are Presidents Obama and Medvedev expected to discuss at the upcoming Moscow summit?

The main topic of discussion between President Obama and President Medvedev will be concluding a replacement for the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, which expires on December 5 of this year. START is a cornerstone of the arms control regime, and without it we will be at a dangerous situation. The two presidents have ordered their negotiators to produce a framework that they can evaluate at the July summit.

A second topic will be non-proliferation, which President Obama has indicated would be a major foreign policy priority in his Prague speech. Under that rubric, we can also expect discussions of the Iran and its nuclear ambitions. Russia may have a certain amount of leverage in bringing Iran back the negotiating table. A third issue is Afghanistan, security, and bolstering U.S. and coalition efforts there. Russia has a lot to offer, including the transit of military cargo through its territory.

What can the Obama administration do to ensure positive relations with Russia in the future?

The reset button is a tactic, not a strategy, and although the reset button was successful in eliminating the toxic atmosphere of the relationship, in the long-term the Obama administration will need a strategy for its Russia policy. Such a strategy could guide day-to-day decisions and ensure a coherence in U.S. foreign policy. The Obama administration should also broaden the agenda from traditional areas of cooperation from traditional areas of security and arms control to include such issues as climate change and arctic related challenges.