Russia has always been important to American diplomats, but rarely has it troubled civilians as much as it does now. The precise extent of the Kremlin’s intervention in the 2016 presidential election remains disputed, but few would deny that its foreign policy has more influence on domestic American affairs than ever before or that understanding that policy is an urgent priority.
New York Times: Unraveling the Putin enigma
EMBARGOED UNTIL 2100GMT 31DECEMBER2004 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin seen during his traditional televised New Year address to the people of Russia in the Kremlin in Moscow, 31 December, 2004. AFP PHOTO / PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / ITAR-TASS (Photo by VLADIMIR RADIONOV / POOL / AFP)
