As Vladimir Putin prepares to step down from his four year reign as Russia’s iron fisted president and his likely successor, Dmitry Medvedev, prepares to follow his long time ally, now is the perfect time to repair the scars left since the Cold War between the United States and the then Soviet Union.

Our relationship with Putin, who has mastered with perfection total control of his country by holding the legislature and judicial branch in the palm of his hand, has been less than pleasant. Upon reports of Putin meeting with Iranian leaders and allegation that he poisoned his rivals; the US has taken a wary policy regarding Russia. The United States has been critical of his policies, which we have referred to as anti-democratic; ignoring the amazing popularity, it has won him by improving his nation’s economy and the general standard of living.

With the upcoming elections looming in both the US and Russia, now is the time for us to reevaluate our foreign policy in an effort to increase the overall prosperity and peace throughout the world.  Though it may sound like a lofty goal, much progress can be made through the age-old strategy of international diplomacy.

Our support of dictators in South America in the 1980’s formed wounds, many of which have yet to heal, between our geographic neighbors to the south and ourselves.  Our foreign policy seems to be based upon schoolyard bully tactics, refusing to accept reality while charging forward in our nationalist pursuit of gratification.  Whether this boon comes in the form of natural resources at the chagrin of indigenous people, instating puppet governments, or simply not caring enough to act, these policies have only further alienated our fellow nations. 

Throughout the last century, the United States has made many more enemies than friends, whether it is Russia, Venezuela, Iran, or many of the other nations that we wronged economically or politically.  However, the stances we take and the actions we support towards these nations in the name of protecting out national security.  If we are willing as a nation to forgo human rights, support dictators that further our own needs while condemning those that disagree with us under the guise of spreading democracy, then we are not only hypocritical in our foreign policy stance, but also need to reprioritize our values.

We now have a chance to take a small step, in the right direction towards peace. The United States must wake up and open its eyes to the evolving world around us, instead of continuing down a road guaranteed to leave us without allies and largely alone on the stage of international relations.