The United States and Russia may have an adversarial relationship, but that does not mean they cannot cooperate on issues of mutual concern and interest, Dr. Agnia Grigas and Dr. Vidya Nadkarni told Pacific Council members in the fourth installment of the Pacific Council’s Summer Teleconference Series.

In recent media interviews, Pacific Council board members Mickey Kantor and Michael Camuñez said NAFTA needs to be updated but urged President Trump not to pull the United States out of the agreement entirely.

This week, President Trump announces his long awaited strategy for resolving the war in Afghanistan without specifying details; two shipments from North Korea destined for the Syrian government agency responsible for chemical weapons are intercepted; the U.S. embassy in Moscow will halt all non-immigrant visas from Russia; and more.

Revanchist and resurgent, Russia appears ready to challenge the current post-Cold War order, writes Agnia Grigas. Tensions between Russia and the West are unlikely to subside because the fundamental sources of conflict will persist.