United States – Russia relations during and after the Cold War: has a new Cold War emerged?

Abstract

The Master’s Essay explores the relations between the United States and Russia during and after the Cold War in order to find out if a New Cold War has emerged. The essay uses the theory of classical realism to explain US – Russia relations during the Cold War and the theory of structural realism to explain the relations between these two countries after the Cold War. The theory of constructivism explains the difference of identities between Russia and the United States of America. The essay explores the world system and political conditions during and after the Cold War, provides evidence on world nuclear powers, the polarity of the world, intervention policies of the United States, the involvement of Russia and the United States in the Middle East, in Syrian and Ukrainian crises. The essay gives deep and comprehensive analysis of the US – Russia relations during both periods by linking and synthesizing the literature review, theory and evidence parts and concludes that the confrontation between Russia and the United States has not ended and a New Cold War has started.