CDDRL's Director Michael McFaul explains why the US is now reaching out to Russia

"We weren't paying attention. We were distracted, busy with other problems in the world, in particular Iraq," said Michael McFaul. "The administration is now put in a position of playing defense, as we are finally seeing the international consequences of the rather dramatic internal transformation inside Russia with the erosion of democracy, a new ruling class, a massive transfer of property rights from so-called oligarchs to, basically, friends of Putin, most of whom are from the old KGB."

• » U.S. reaching out to Russia (International Herald Tribune)
• » US Moves to Soothe Growing Russian Resentment (New York Times)