Vladimir Putin's Vision of Russia as a Normal Great Power

A specialist on Russian foreign policy analyzes Putin's international strategy. The author draws on the writings of Russia's foreign policy decisionmakers, as well as on the commentary of Russian and Western analysts, to identify Putin's vision and compare it with that of recent leaders. Three elements of Putin's policies are examined: state concentration, cooperation with the West, and Russia's projection of influence in the former Soviet region. The question of Western responses to Putin's strategy is also addressed.