Vladimir Putin and Russia's imperial revival

Content: A MILLENNIUM OF EMPIRE BUILDINGThe Collapse and Rebirth of an EmpireIntroductionRebuilding a NationShaping Putin\'s Foreign PolicyRise of the PhoenixRegaining Status LostEnding Ties with the WestA Renewal of the Cold War?Resurrecting Relations with \"Special-Interest\" NeighborsConclusionStages in the Building of a Russian EmpireIntroductionThe Kievan Rus EmpireThe Muscovite EmpireThe Romanov EmpireThe Soviet EmpireConclusionFROM UNCERTAINTY TO SUPREME CONFIDENCERussia\'s Foreign Policy in TransitionIntroductionFactors Shaping Post-Soviet Foreign PolicyA New Role for Russia?Rebuilding the StateRussia, the EU, and NATOConclusionThe Putin-Era Foreign Policy of ConsolidationIntroductionEvolution of the Consolidation PolicyPutin-Era Foreign RelationsForeign Policy GoalsRussia\'s Use of Soft PowerConclusionBuilding Defensive BarriersIntroductionBuilding Barriers in the WestBuilding Barriers in the EastColonization and Deportation in the Conquered TerritoriesConclusionRUSSIA\'S FOREIGN POLICY WEAPONSReforming and Rearming Russia\'s MilitaryIntroductionThe Need for Reforms2000-2008 Military Reforms2008-2015 Military Reforms and ReorganizationsAll-Forces Personnel ReductionsRearming the Russian MilitaryConclusionRussia\'s Undeclared Cyber WarsIntroductionCyber Tactics2007: Cyber War with Estonia2008: Cyber War with Lithuania2009: Kyrgyzstan under Cyber Attack2009: Cyber and Shooting War with GeorgiaCyber Wars with UkraineConclusionThe Energy Weapon in Russia\'s Foreign PolicyIntroductionState Control of Energy ResourcesControl of Transit Routes and ModesMeans for Implementing the Energy WeaponAcquiescence of Target CountriesConclusionRUSSIA\'S FOREIGN POLICY IN ACTIONRussian Aggression in Ukraine: Empire RevivalIntroductionHistory of Russian-Ukraine RelationsPutin\'s RevengeWhat Happens Next?ConclusionRussian Intimidation in the Baltic and Nordic StatesIntroductionFuture Regional Security ScenariosChanges in the West\'s View of Post-Soviet RussiaConclusionRussian Foreign Policy after PutinIntroductionWhat Role for Russia?The Putin/Medvedev Power VerticalAlternative Foreign Policy StrategiesThe Recurring Foreign Policy AimImplications for the WestRussia\'s Relations with the WestScenarios for a Russia after PutinConclusion