US Global Leadership Dilemma as a Challenge for the US-Russia Relations

Abstract

The paper discusses the issue of leadership as a central problems of the US Grand Strategy as America is adjusting to a transforming international system, marked by increasing multipolarity, interdependence and heterogeneity, and decreasing governability. It also tackles the US commitment to global leadership as one of central problems of the US-Russia relations, especially at a time when Moscow’s foreign policy is increasingly marked with the concept and ideology of multipolarity and, consequently, equality in relations with the USA. The paper also addresses key components of Obama Administration Grand Strategy, such as renewing or establishing strategic partnerships with the old and new power centers in the world, and the “pivot” to Asia, and provides detailed illustration of the theoretical theses made by examples from the US-Russia relations. Finally, the paper suggests some counters for transformation of the US leadership, in order to make it more compatible with the evolution of the international system and benign for the US relations with Russia.