Time for thawing Moscow-U.S. ties

The principle reason as to why they have been so close in recent years is because Moscow seeks to stymie the U.S. in the Middle East while also containing perceived potential American military interventions designed to thwart Iran. Their alliance and Iran's nuclear ambitions are simultaneously based on the presumption of US hostility. Thus, the next administration should seek to remove this factor from the equation by re-establishing relations once Ahmadinejad is gone. Establishing ties and working on areas of mutual interest would both reduce Iran's incentives to acquire nuclear weapons while also help de-stabilize the highly vulnerable Moscow-Tehran entente. Russia aside from holding back U.S. designs on Tehran has no reason as to want another nuclear neighbor on its Southern flank. It already has to worry about the other seven nuclear powers in Eurasia as it is and adding Iran to the list, a traditionally hostile power that would challenge its plans in Central Asia while promoting religious militancy definitely stands against the Kremlin's strategic interests.

Russia has already offered to guarantee U.S. access to radar sites in Southern Russia as a possible counter to the installation of interceptors in Eastern Europe. The new administration should seek to modify this offer. U.S./Russian joint interceptor installations could be installed in Southern Russia thereby providing Europe with quicker action against any Iranian missiles, alleviating the tension over interceptors in Eastern Europe all the while providing a united front against Iranian nuclear ambitions and most importantly getting everyone out of this Cold War mentality.

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