Russian President Vladimir Putin sits before the start of the opening ceremony of the G20 Summit in Hangzhou Thomson Reuters
James Stavridis, Foreign Policy: How to negotiate with Putin on anything, according to someone who's done it
Perhaps the most famous piece of stage direction in Western literature occurs in the third act of Shakespeare’s classic play “The Winter’s Tale: “Exit pursued by a bear.” There’s plenty of reason to think that being pursued by a bear, the most iconic image of Russia in international relations, is precisely how the United States must feel at the moment.
Seemingly in every direction we turn, Russia is there, chasing our policy choices off the stage of world events. Despite valiant efforts to negotiate with Russia in Ukraine, Crimea, Syria, Iran, missile defense in Europe, NATO membership, and cybersecurity — to name just a few — Moscow and Washington have serious disagreements.
It’s tempting to think that the root of these disagreements is the difficult personality and background of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who manifests genuine personal dislike for both the United States and President Barack Obama, as well as for NATO. Much of Putin’s political DNA is oriented toward conflict with the West.
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WNU Editor: What's my take .... if you want good relations with Russia and a desire to negotiate with Putin, stay away from writing silly/patronising articles like this one and just focus on the issue(s).
3 comments:
Focus on the issues is an excellent start. I will read the article time permiting.
Russia is the most piwetful countty in the world. Mr. Putin is the most poweful person in the world. He knows this. Patronozing hom will seem insulting. It'll be enough to recognize his superior position and acting accordingly.
Examples would be recognizing that Crimea is Russian and supporting Eastern Ukraine on it's battle against Kiev. We are going to need Russian help in dealing with Iran and with the transition away from the US dollar as world reserve currency which is inevitable and cannot be prevented.
I have CONSIDERABLE experience negotiating with those more powerful than me. The good news is I can assure ANYONE that good outcomes are possible. Yhe first step will be recognizing the superior position of the other party and acting accordingly.
Has "the deal maker" ever negotiated with someone more powerful than he? When it comes time to negotiate with Russia and China he will be negotiating with people more poweful than he is and countries more poweful than America is. If done properly, the superior strength of an adversary can be used against them or so I've been told.
I read the article. A couple of things stood out. 1.) The author points out that personal relationships can be important. 2.) The author suggests Russians do not look for win/win situations but rather how they can defeat the other side.
As for point 1, Mr. Trump has selected team members who have close contacts to Russian leaders who have worked closely with them in the past such as Paul Manafort. In contrast, Mrs. Clinton and her team have chosen to quite recklessly publically blame the Russians for the DNC hack tnus likely posioning any possibility for constructive dealings witb the world's most poeerful country. This alone would be sufficient reason to vote Trump absent anything else.
As for point 2, I cannot say for certain. Russia is the world's most powerful country and is on tne cusp of becoming the most powerful country the world has ever known in both relative and absolute terms. This cannot be changed. The United States could act accordingly and actively look for ways to assist Russia and it's leaders by adding value to them.
I've negotiated with those more powerful than me and those I was representing. By recognizing their superior position and trying to look for ways to add value to them can work wonders. Sometimes all is needed is simply recognizing their manifest magnificence. Would this work in tne case of Russia and Mr. Putin?
Probably more is needed. He is the most powerful person in the world. His country is the world's most powerful country. He knows this and does not need anyone's affirmation. As such, the best bet for America and it's leaders is going to be recogonize this and act accordingly. An appropriate question for American leadership would be "how can we add value to Russia and it's leadership?"
Since team Trump has had the good sense to select advisors with close relations with Russia and team Clinton has recklessly chosen to alienate the world's most powerful country, it should be obvious to anyone reasonable who should be the next POTUS.
Fortunately for America Mr. Trump is going to be the next POTUS. This cannot be prevented. Will tnis be good for America? This is not known.
A Clinton presidency would be known to be bad. Fortunately for America we will never have to experience a Clinton presidency. She will die before she goes to prison or she will die in prison.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk9WHasIZk0
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