U.S.-Russian Relations

After the breakup of the Soviet Union, friendship blossomed between Russia and the United States. But relations have cooled in recent years, and now the decision to admit Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic into NATO over Russian objections has added new tensions to the relationship. While enlargement is seen by many as a step toward permanent peace in post-Cold War Europe, others argue that including old Soviet allies in the alliance will only antagonize Russia. Moreover, many enlargement opponents say the days of antagonism between Russia and the U.S. are over, making NATO unnecessary. But NATO boosters argue that Russia is growing increasingly hostile to U.S. interests and that other dangers, including Moscow's lack of control over her nuclear arsenal, make NATO enlargement vital to U.S. and European safety.