Walter Russell Mead sees a major, zero-sum geopolitical contest unfolding between the United States and Russia over Ukraine and Syria. Washington, he argues, should abandon its policy of seeking better relations and push back against Russia. But on its own, pushing back isn’t enough. America has to strike the right balance.

Putin's return means more of the dismal same for everyone.

Vladimir Putin’s return to the Kremlin as Russia’s President next spring will once again align real and formal power in Russia, as they were during his earlier two terms in office. Although the Russian Prime Minister is nominally subordinate to the President, Putin has dominated Russian politics throughout Dmitri Medvedev’s presidency. As if to underscore […]