NEWSLINK: “Understanding Russia Doesn’t Mean Liking Moscow; It Means Making America Safer” – Russia Matters/ Paul Saunders

One of America’s biggest problems in dealing with Russia today is the pressure on policymakers to decide on a course of action without a good understanding of our rival and its motives, goals and priorities. While few would condemn a company for studying the market to assess its competitors, or decry U.S. politicians for doing research on their opponents, attempts to get a rigorous, fact-based picture of the thinking in Moscow faces three interrelated challenges, exacerbated by our country’s polarized political climate: the maelstrom of the 24-hour news cycle; the equation of understanding with apologia; and a desire to avoid informed debate. Indeed, some in the political and media establishments have moved beyond understandable anger and concern over Moscow’s intervention in Ukraine and alleged interference in the 2016 presidential election to a 1950s-style hunt for internal enemies. This poses considerable dangers for U.S. national interests that extend beyond the U.S. relationship with Russia because Moscow is not America’s only rival and it is not the only threat to our security, prosperity and way of life.”