American -Russian relations from Alaska to Alaska
Dr. Abdullah bin Musa Al -Tayer
The American and Russian presidents met in the state of Alaska, and Putin stopped placing a wreath in front of the memorial of the so -called “Alasipa Air Road Champions” that symbolizes cooperation between the Soviet Union and the United States during the Second World War, and the word he delivered to the press after the lengthy meeting with his American counterpart was charged with the messages that he tries to change the American media account as a person and his country.
The relationship between the United States and Russia has always been a complex fabric of cooperation and conflict due to the crowding over interests, ideological differences, and geopolitical aspirations from the early nineteenth century until the summit held Friday between President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. This relationship witnessed moments of warmth and a lot of hostility, and each left a permanent imprint on the affairs of the other, and global affairs.
American -Russian relations were characterized by a “worm” friendship; The two countries, which are separated by narrow geographical gaps, and vast cultural, have maintained realistic political ties that have so far spared the global, devastating nuclear war. The 1950s and Senate of the nineteenth century witnessed the peak of cooperation relations between them, as the United States implicitly supported Russia during the Crimean War (1853-1856 AD), whether with its strategic neutrality or indirect logistical support. On the other hand, Russia supported the Union, which represents the northern states, during the American Civil War (1861-1865 AD). It is without saying that these good intentions were crowned with Russia’s approval to sell Alaska state to America in 1867 AD, a deal that was mocked by an American, at the beginning, as “the foolishness of Siuri”, relative to the US Secretary of State, then William Seyd, who led negotiation with the Russian side, but later considered a strategic acquisition, when discovering Alaska’s natural resources under the ice. This era showed how cooperation and mutual coordination can achieve national interests and strengthen stability in both countries. After 158 years, America and Russia have returned to Alaska to excavate any common factors, even if it was frozen in the Arctic Zamar, may contribute to the restoration of relations.
Two large blocs, who could dissolve their coarse power, and engage in an ideal world of cooperation, but this is contrary to the logic of the conflict and the laws of stampede, so each of them wrapped around his ideology and directed his defenders and missiles towards yesterday’s ally. The Americans looked at what they called the authoritarian government in Russia, and they mocked its cultural “backwardness”, while the Russians criticized the imperial aspirations of America and its racial discrimination. The competition for influence in northeastern Asia has increased tension, which led it to its lowest levels by 1914. The Bolshevik revolution and the Soviet era that followed the lack of confidence, as America and Western Europe were cautious to the point of concern about communism, and for its part, Russia suffered from the capitalist blockade of its socialist project.
Despite these tensions, moments of cooperation emerged during the Second World War, as the two parties allied against the axis countries, as the broadcasting and leasing program of military and logistical equipment provided vital resources for the Soviet war effort. This cooperation contributed to the defeat of Nazi Germany, and showed the possibility of cooperation between Russia and America in the face of common threats. The breakthrough that followed the second war led to agreements to reduce arms, which reduced the risk of nuclear escalation.
The post -Cold War era brought different dynamics in the relationship of the two parties, which reached the peak of optimism of the 1990s, as Russia, led by Boris Yeltsin, sought to integrate with the West and the forefront of America. However, NATO expansion and the Eugoslavia struggle in 1999 sent Russian concerns again, which led to the deterioration of relations more after Russia included the Crimea in 2014, and was invaded by Ukraine in 2022 AD.
It is too early to speculate the results of the Friday summit, but the mere contract symbolizes historical continuity, and it may establish a potential turning point in one of the two directions. Alaska’s choice emphasizes the interlocking history of the two countries. And a report of reality, the positive American -Russian relations have always contributed to stability and the achievement of mutual gains, such as the purchase of Alaska and alliances in wartime. However, it is difficult to overcome ideological conflicts and regional disputes, which cause global instability. Will the Alaska summit give an opportunity to ruminate the success of the past and drop it on the complexities of the present? Or are the differences of the past able to extinguish any hope of rapprochement?
The ability of the two leaders Trump and Putin to prevail in diplomacy to strategic competition may achieve positive results and eventually reach permanent solutions to the Russian -Ukrainian conflict. As history shows the possible cooperation between the two powers, mutual respect between the two mainly is vital to drawing the features of the future, and vice versa.
