The Russia Hand: A Memoir of Presidential Diplomacy

531 Pages·2007·2.79 MB·English

by  Strobe Talbott

Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Praise
CHAPTER 1 - THE HEDGEHOG AND THE BEAR
THE NATURAL
THE ICE AGE
THE OTHER PRESIDENT
DOING NO HARM
BORIS AND GEORGE
THE FIRST TERM
CHAPTER 2 - THE MAIN CHANCE
“THINK BIGGER!”
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
CHAPTER 3 - THE SPINACH TREATMENT
THE ORPHAN MISSILES
BLOODY SUNDAY
CHAPTER 4 - KICK THE CAN
THE ANATHEMA COMETH
A QUICK TRIP TO KIEV
THE MOSCOW SUMMIT
CHAPTER 5 - THE BIG NYET
“RUSSIANS GO HOME!”
IN SEARCH OF A SLOGAN
COLD PEACE
CHAPTER 6 - THE HIGH WIRE
AN INVITATION TO MOSCOW
NAILING IT
FIFTEEN MINUTES OF FAME
CHAPTER 7 - CHAINS OF COMMAND
MISSION POSSIBLE
RUSSIAN RIVER ON THE HUDSON
CHAPTER 8 - RUSSIA’S CHOICE
PRINCE GORCHAKOV’S BUST
“RUSSIA WILL RISE AGAIN!”
THE VIEW FROM THE LIMO
DOWN TO THE WIRE
THE SECOND TERM
CHAPTER 9 - SLEEPING WITH THE PORCUPINE
FINESSE VERSUS NERVES OF STEEL
JEKYLL AND HYDE
THE BREAKTHROUGH
CHAPTER 10 - BAD BUSINESS
WHACK WHACK
A SHAKE-UP
CHEMISTRY
CHAPTER 11 - JUST SHOWING UP
A SCOUTING EXPEDITION
A SOUNDING BOARD
DIALOGUE OF THE DEAF
MUTUAL DISLIKE
CHAPTER 12 - HAMMER AND ANVIL
THE U-TURN
A COMEBACK
THE EMPTY CHAIR
THE ENDGAME
CHAPTER 13 - THE JAWS OF VICTORY
THE FLASHPOINT
CHAPTER 14 - THE BLACK BELT
A NORMAL SURPRISE
THE REAL SURPRISE
CHAPTER 15 - ON DEFENSE
STAR-CROSSED
THE LONG SHOT
SPARRING PARTNERS
CHAPTER 16 - TRANSITION AND CONTINUITY
ACCELERATION
THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA: A CHRONOLOGY OF THE FIRST
DECADE
NOTES
Acknowledgments
About the Author
ALSO BY STROBE TALBOTT
Copyright Page
TO BROOKE, DEVIN AND ADRIAN

PRAISE FOR The Russia Hand
“Talbott’s book is a fascinating memoir of a weirdly unpredictable world.” —
The New York Review of Books
“Strobe Talbott has written a wonderfully rich and revealing account of the
turbulent relationship between the U.S. and Russia during the first post–cold war
years. Colorful, full of surprises and intimate portraits of the key people involved
—by a man who was at the center of it all—this book is and will remain
essential for any understanding of this critical and even dangerous period.” —
ELIZABETH DREW
“A savvy insider’s account of the diplomatic twists and turns of U.S.– Russia
relations in the ’90s, Talbott’s anecdote-stuffed book is a treasure trove for
Russia specialists. But it will also fascinate anyone with an interest in the
personal dynamics of statecraft.” —BusinessWeek
“The Russia Hand is easily one of the best memoirs of presidential diplomacy
ever written. With his great command of history, gift of language, sense of detail
and eight years at the center of American foreign-policy making, Strobe Talbott
has brought us a fascinating, often surprising account of a historic and pivotal
period. The Russia Hand shows us what a complex and impressive achievement
it was for the United States to build a lasting relationship with its old enemy of
half a century. When historians begin to assess the presidency of Bill Clinton,
this book will be basic and mandatory reading.” —MICHAEL BESCHLOSS
“A fascinating portrait of diplomacy as it really works (and sometimes doesn’t),
written with clarity and grace by a wise man.” —EVAN THOMAS
“Once again Strobe Talbott has written an important and insightful diplomatic
history. This richly crafted book, the first authoritative inside account of
President Clinton’s personal diplomacy with Russian presidents Boris Yeltsin