Kastamonu Journal of Human and Society

Abstract

This study examines the crucial post-Cold War era of the 1990s, when the Soviet Union disintegrated and bilateral relations between the U.S. and Russia entered a new phase. To better understand the actions and motivations of both nations, the research employs a realist, liberal, and constructivist framework, focusing on security concerns, economic interests, and power dynamics. Historical documentation, primary sources, interviews, and comparative analysis are used to explore the decade's developments. Key findings relate to the initial optimism surrounding nuclear disarmament efforts, such as the Nunn-Lugar program and American support for economic reforms in Russia. However, swift privatization led to economic challenges, unchecked oligarch power, and growing skepticism about U.S. intentions. Geopolitical tensions arose, particularly regarding NATO expansion and interventions in the Balkans, highlighting alternative perspectives on sovereignty and intervention. Personal diplomacy between Clinton and Yeltsin was important but insufficient to reconcile conflicting geopolitical interests. By the end of the century, Yeltsin's decline paved the way for Putin's rising dominance, indicating a shift toward a more confrontational U.S.-Russia dynamic. This period revealed missed opportunities, with chronic mistrust and conflicting interests shaping contemporary U.S.-Russia relations. The research emphasizes the complexities of transitioning from rivalry to potential cooperation, influenced by ongoing geopolitical tensions and diverse perspectives.