NEWSWEEK: MOSCOW MAKES NICE…FOR NOW

In this week’s issue of Newsweek, Owen Matthews discusses the changing relations between the United States and Russia.  Vice President Biden suggests that we “hit the reset button” in our relations with Moscow because we need their support in our negotiations with Iran.  There are mutual interests among Russia and the US concerning Iran; namely that it is in both their  interests to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. 

However Matthews argues that this cooperation between Moscow and Washington will be a monumental change.  Economic interests and Russia’s protectiveness over the control of their foreign policy could limit cooperation.  Russia’s continued relations with Iran give it a special role in the world.  One that could help or harm future negotiation efforts. 

Question to the Blogosphere:  Is Moscow really a trustworthy partner in negotiations with Iran?  How much do we need Russia in these negotiations and could our renewed sense of goodwill towards the Kremlin hurt US relations with other countries in the region, namely Ukraine and Georgia?  Are Russian economic interests (taking advantage of the Iranian demand market for natural gas from Gazprom) diametrically opposed to its foreign policy interests (renewed relations with the US, preventing Iran from going nuclear)?