"It's Russia versus the West," says CDDRL Director Michael McFaul

Some analysts say Russia's stability and growing wealth have given it the confidence to confront the West, and to try to reassert its proper influence as a world power. Critics warn the Kremlin's new assertiveness reflect renewed imperial ambitions which threaten Russia's neighbors. In the aftermath of the invasion of Iraq four years ago, there was talk of a Russia aligned with France and Germany as a counterbalance to the U.S. in the post-Soviet political map, said Michael McFaul, CDDRL director. But Putin reforms have moved the country away from many post-Soviet democratic policies and Moscow's reliance on power politics has made that impossible, McFaul said. "Now, it's Russia versus the West."

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