Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 04/2011

What Can the United States Learn from Russia's Relations with ASEAN Countries?

Stephen Blank

February 2011

East-West Center

Abstract

Neither the current US administration nor US academics recognize Russia as a major Asian power. Although Russia faces many obstacles to becoming a credible Asian actor, Moscow is making resolute diplomatic overtures to secure its Asian standing. Stephen Blank argues that these activities merit US attention because they enhance understanding of Asian international relations and offset the pronounced ethnocentrism of so much American writing on the subject.