The current session of cooperation with NATO is unlikely to bring Moscow long-term military and political dividends – particularly in the face of growing risks from further involvement in Afghanistan….

The current reset of NATO-Russia relations shows the alliance remains a vehicle for United States foreign and defense policy and that signals coming from Washington are imperative for NATO, writes Mikhail Barabanov, editor-in-chief of Moscow Defense Brief. Not surprisingly, the Obama administration’s new line towards Moscow was at once extended to Russian-NATO relations.

At first glance, this cooperation between the sides is prompted by U.S. interest in Russian assistance on Afghanistan. More deeply, however, Washington seeks to use NATO to integrate Russia into its project for a new world order. To do so, it wants to transform the alliance. Though NATO’s role is still to defend Europe from Russia, its other function is gradually coming to the fore – that of being an instrument to use force outside Europe.

NATO’s anti-Russian role is declining for obvious reasons. Russia is no longer able to pose an effective threat to the alliance with its non-nuclear forces, especially since the current reform of its army is converting it into a weapon for local conflicts, mainly in the former Soviet republics. At the same time, permanent cuts in the armed forces of NATO countries have rendered them incapable of taking an effective part in any serious conventional war. Therefore, military confrontation between NATO and Russia in Europe is becoming, from the Western point of view, a less probable scenario.

Russia is being offered no serious role in European security – from the point of view of the U.S. and Europe, NATO is quite capable of coping with this mission on its own.

The U.S. and Europe consider Russia “harmless” and weak and believe NATO can refocus on supporting American policy outside Europe.

In exchange, Russia is offered the West’s recognition of the status quo in Europe and postponement of admission to NATO of Ukraine and other former Soviet republics. Russia has been recognized as a regional power, but only to a certain extent and only in exchange for its help. These arrangements will stand as long as the U.S. is interested in cooperation with Moscow on specific issues.

The current session of cooperation with NATO is unlikely to bring Moscow long-term military and political dividends – particularly in the face of growing risks from further involvement in Afghanistan….