Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

Jews emigrating to Israel and the West (Legvold 86). The amendment serves little purpose other than to
aggravate Russia, and it is also an obstacle to Russia’s WTO accession.
Repealing this amendment would
cost the United States little, but be a major token of good will toward Russia.
Increased emphasis upon the B.P.C. should be applied in an attempt to boost the visibility of the
discussions and to provide increased incentives to cooperate at multiple different levels. Due to its
relatively new creation, the B.P.C. has had little time to make substantive progress and very little has been
written about it. If it proves to be an effective tool of U.S.-Russian cooperation, it could have broad
implications for the overall stability of the bilateral relationship.
Toward a Sustainable Relationship
While U.S.-Russian relations have experienced many challenges and uncertainties since the end of
the Cold War, there is currently great potential for the establishment of a more sustainable relationship
founded in cooperation. Emphases on reliability and open communication as well as determination to deal
with issues of mutual concern are important steps in this process. Long term continuation of this policy,
breaking through decades of mistrust and skepticism would benefit both the United States and Russia.
Whether or not domestic politics will allow for continued engagement, however, is still uncertain.
317