Changing dynamics

A new uncharted journey begins long before Obama takes oath and enters the White House. The complexity of the situation has increased manifold in the present context in view of new US administration confronting challenges on multiple fronts. Although there is great euphoria with Obama's victory but his first six months would be testing time not only for his future but also for the future of the American empire which is already receding.
The dynamics of US-Russia relations has started changing in the wake of August war fought in Georgia and the consequent recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by Russia. Russia has sent a strong message to the US that it is back with a bang and the future Moscow-Washington relationship will be based on the respect for mutual interests. Despite the age of Soviet empire is over, Russia is not ready to let the US encircle it at the expense of its strategic interests under the garb of NATO expansion. The US also wants to include the former USSR satellite states in NATO but Russia is resistant to any such move. The recent tensions in Ukraine shows to a large extent Russia's desire to prevent any change in the status of East European countries. Russia has not hesitated to challenge Crimea's status in Ukraine and show its intention to retain naval base in Sevastapol beyond 2017.