This text provides an introduction to the major developments that have charactertized the foreign policy of Russia during the Tsarist, Soviet and post-Soviet periods.

Provides an introduction to the major developments that have characterized the foreign policy of Russia during the Tsarist, Soviet, and post-Soviet periods. Addresses the long-term historical continuities in Russian foreign policy, both as they undermined the status quo at the end of the Soviet era, and as they now condition Russia's search for a new definition of the national interest.