Reaching out to Russia

The Washington Times reports that Mike McFaul and Undersecretary William Burns are off to Moscow to talk Kyrgyz basing with the Russians. Via Spencer Ackerman, an earlier version of the Times piece had the following paragraph:

U.S. officials said they still hoped to persuade both Kyrgyzstan and Russia that, even though there are alternatives to the Manas base, its continued use would be most beneficial to Afghanistan’s stability. They also said they were open to Russian ideas about how cooperation in Central Asia can contribute to a better U.S.-Russia relationship.

Spencer quips, “expect horsetrading”. Yeah, maybe. If the Russians don’t blow it.

There’s no doubt that the Obamans have extended an olive branch to Russia. Biden went pretty far in his recent speech in Munich to broker good will. “The last few years have seen a dangerous drift in relations between Russia and the members of our Alliance,” said Biden. “It is time to press the reset button and to revisit the many areas where we can and should work together.”

I’d expect this trip to be more about sounding out just how pragmatic the Russians can be—sort of a trial balloon that Obama feels like he needs to put out as part of his global charm offensive. If the balloon is quickly pricked by Russian intransigence, however, I don’t think this administration will be too keen on continuing down the path of compromise. One shouldn’t forget, after all, that Mike McFaul is no softie on Putin and Medvedev, and has long advocated taking a tough line with the Russians. If the Russians aren’t smart, this will likely be the last time they’re approached in quite so nice a way.