This clear and comprehensive text explores the past quarter-century of Soviet/Russian international relations, comparing foreign policy formation under Gorbachev, Yeltsin, and Putin. Drawing on an impressive mastery of both Russian and Western sources, Andrei Tsygankov shows how Moscow's policies have shifted with each leader's vision of Russia's national interests. He evaluates the successes and failures of Russia's foreign policies, explaining its many turns as Russia's identity and interaction with the West have evolved. The author concludes with nuanced insights into Putin's distinctive course, which balances an enduring quest for great power status with the desire for a special relationship with Western nations.