U.S.-Russian Relations Deadlocked: Post-“Reset” Dynamics

... the air. The major impediment to normalized U.S.-Russian relations and the real reason behind the failure of the “Reset” lies, in fact, in the absence of understanding between the countries’ leaders. The Obama Administration’s ... ... realpolitik and conservative policies at home. Not only are Messrs. Obama and Putin worlds apart on such foreign policy issues as Syria and nuclear disarmament, the leaders also hold discordant views on nearly every matter pertaining to democratic governance....